Garrison Brown, the son of Sister Wives' Janelle and Kody Brown, passed away at 25

Janelle confirmed the news on Instagram Tuesday, saying, "Kody and I are incredibly saddened to announce the passing of our precious boy Robert Garrison Brown. He was a shining light in the lives of everyone who knew him. His death will leave such a void in our lives that we will find it difficult to breathe. We ask that you respect our privacy and join us in remembering his legacy." (Kody made the same message on his own Instagram page.)

Lieutenant Charles M. Hernandez II of the Flagstaff Police Department told PEOPLE, "On 03/05/2024, Flagstaff Police officers responded to a report of a death inside a home." The FPD reported that Garrison's 22-year-old brother Gabriel "discovered Mr. Brown deceased" in an apparent suicide.

Lt. Hernandez's statement added, "At this time, there is no indication of foul play, and detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division are investigating."

TLC told PEOPLE, "We are devastated to hear of Garrison Brown's tragic death." We express our heartfelt regrets and condolences to the Brown family during this difficult time.

Garrison was initially introduced to fans in 2010 alongside his brothers, his mother Janelle, and his father Kody's other wives — Meri, Christine, and Robyn Brown — in a TLC documentary about the polygamist family's daily existence.

Janelle spiritually married Kody in 1993, and the pair has six children: Madison, Logan, Garrison, Gabriel, Hunter, and Savanah. Janelle confirmed in December 2022 that she and Kody had separated.

She was the second Brown family matriarch to depart following Christine's announcement that she had left Kody. Meri announced shortly after Janelle's declaration that she and Kody had also split up, leaving Robyn as the Brown patriarch's only remaining wife.



Kody's relationship with his children has deteriorated over time, with his children becoming "at odds" with him after expressing their "discontent" with how he handled the COVID-19 outbreak.

"I was met with just a wall," Gabriel said at the time. "There was no line of dialogue. I believe it is what actually pushed the wedge between us."

In a subsequent confessional interview, Janelle voiced concern about her children's fragile connection with their father. "I've been anxious about my boys' mental health. Gabriel feels everything profoundly. But he's also the kid who doesn't say anything," she claimed, before adding that Garrison "just appears upset or sadder, like he's not as happy-go-lucky as he used to be."

In an episode airing in May 2023, Kody addressed the schism that had developed between him and his sons.

"I haven't been in touch with Gabriel and Garrison for quite a while," he said at the time. "I'm upset that I'm no longer close to them. There were so many beautiful experiences in our life that we shared."

He went on to say, "I suppose and hope that in time, we'll just get over it and feel safe being around each other again. Gabe and Garrison currently do not have a clear path forward. They aren't eager to engage me."