Mary Cosby Explains Why She Returned to Filming Weeks After Son Robert Jr.'s Death

On Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, recorded on Wednesday, September 30, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby explained why she returned to filming just weeks after her 23-year-old son Robert Cosby Jr.'s sudden death from a reported overdose in February.

"I just didn’t want to sit around and sulk," Mary said, describing her decision not to take time off from filming as a way to avoid becoming overwhelmed by grief. "So, I thought, 'Be distracted, keep going,'" she continued. "My son would want me to go and just push, and I did."

Robert Jr. passed away following a response to a dispatch call by the Salt Lake City Police Department on February 23. Since his death, Mary's fellow cast members have rallied around her, offering support during a difficult time.

In an interview with Vulture earlier this year, Mary opened up about her feelings regarding her son's passing. "I think I went into shock. I don’t know if it ever hit me, because I still feel my son," she said. "I still feel his spirit, and I don’t know how that could be unless he’s OK and he made it to the good side. I feel him safe. I feel him tucked away. I feel him away from danger so a part of me can rest."

Mary also spoke candidly about her son's struggles with addiction, stating, "People don't leave unless it's their time." She acknowledged the numerous accidents Robert Jr. had experienced before his untimely death, saying, "He had accident after accident, and finally it caught up with him. I think that it was for the good. To this day, there’s a peace that lives in my house. It’s a peace that we didn’t have before."

When discussing the opportunity to take time off offered by the RHOSLC production team, Mary chose against it, believing that taking a break would lead to further introspection and potentially negative self-reflection. Instead, she focused on honoring her son's memory rather than dwelling on her own sorrow.

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City airs on Bravo Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET and streams on Peacock the next day. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).