On the May 4 episode of Sister Wives, Janelle Brown opens up about her late son Garrison’s battle with alcohol—tracing how it began during the pandemic and compounded his mental health struggles.
Introduction
In a deeply emotional May 4 episode of Sister Wives, Janelle Brown broke her silence on the tragic loss of her 25-year-old son, Garrison Brown, who died by suicide on March 5, 2024. For the first time on camera, she shared candid details of how Garrison’s life began to unravel as he battled an unexpected dependence on alcohol in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
How It Started: From Sobriety to Struggle
He was never a drinking kid. He didn’t like it, didn’t like the taste of it. And he started to drink during COVID, and something happened in this last year and it really just got him,” Janelle Brown confessed, describing a shift that took hold during lockdowns and never fully let go Initially averse to alcohol, Garrison fell into cycles of binge drinking followed by periods of sobriety—patterns that worried his family but also gave them hope he could pull through.
Anxiety, Depression, and Self-Medication
Behind the scenes, Garrison was also grappling with chronic anxiety and depression. “He had anxiety and depression, and then he started drinking as a way to sort of soothe that… and then just became the animal he couldn’t get a hold of,” Janelle shared in a heart-wrenching confessional. Despite professional resources and unwavering love, the alcohol served as a harmful coping mechanism that ultimately exacerbated his mental health issues.
A Family United in Support Janelle Brown
Janelle Brown and ex-husband Kody, along with Garrison’s brothers Logan and Hunter, formed a constant support network—texting, calling, and even tag-teaming overnight check-ins when Garrison went radio silent. On several prior occasions, he would return to them the following morning after a binge; the night of his death, however, proved irreversible. The family’s round-the-clock vigilance highlighted their desperate efforts to save him from himself.
A Sister’s Last-Minute Plea
Meanwhile, Garrison’s older sister, Madison “Maddie” Brush, revealed that just weeks before his passing, she and her husband were encouraging him to relocate from Flagstaff, Arizona, to North Carolina—believing a fresh start near family might help him heal. They were on the verge of convincing him to move when tragedy struck, underscoring how close the family came to offering him new hope.
Honoring Garrison’s Legacy and Raising Awareness
As the episode unfolds, Janelle presses viewers to recognize the importance of mental health care and substance-abuse support. She and her family have since partnered with mental health organizations to share resources, reminding fans that addiction and depression often go hand in hand—and that it’s okay to ask for help. Through her vulnerability, Janelle hopes Garrison’s struggle can become a beacon for others grappling with similar demons see more.