'Sister Wives' Janelle Brown Recalls How She Got The News Of Son's Death

Since her son's death, Janelle Brown has revisited this difficult memory a couple of times.

The "Sister Wives" star vividly remembers moments preceding the sad announcement of her son, Garrison Brown's, death on the family's reality TV show.

Janelle Brown's son was pronounced dead over a year ago after he reportedly committed suicide in their home at the tender age of 25.

In the latest episode of "Sister Wives," the Brown family reflected on the day they learned of Garrison's tragic passing on March 5, 2024. 

Janelle recalled memories of their frequent communication, noting that she typically texted him throughout the day, often three times. She was aware of his struggles and made a concerted effort to stay in touch, believing he needed that connection.

On the night before his death, Janelle noticed that Garrison had stopped responding to her texts after she went to bed at 8:30 p.m. She suspected he had relapsed into drinking, as he had episodes of sobriety followed by binge drinking.

Concerned, she contacted her sons, Logan and Hunter, asking them to check on Garrison. PEOPLE shared that his brothers reportedly assured her they would look after him.

Later that night, Janelle received a call from Gabriel, who delivered the devastating news: Garrison was "gone." In shock, she struggled to process the heartbreaking revelation.

Janelle shared that her son Garrison struggled with alcohol leading up to his death. She mentioned that he had never been a drinker and disliked the taste of alcohol until he began drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Over the last year, his issues with alcohol intensified. Janelle added that the family made multiple efforts to provide him with love, support, and resources.

Despite all the help provided, they could not understand the events of that tragic night. Janelle recalled that Garrison had experienced similar nights where he would get drunk and then return to normal by morning.

"I don't know what happened that night he did that because he's had other nights like this where he would drink and then pass out, and he would go kind of radio silent, but he'd be back in the morning," she continued. "I don't know. I don't know what happened this time," she said.

In March, The Blast noted that Janelle displayed bravery as she decided to put her grief aside and honor the memory of her son with a selfless act. The "Sister Wives" star shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, reflecting on her loss and the moments she often thinks of him. 

"I stay busy but in EVERY quiet moment you are first and foremost in my thoughts. It's been a year baby. We miss you so much. I miss you so much," she expressed.

She encouraged her followers to support local animal shelters, rescues, or humane societies in her message. She emphasized that Garrison had a deep passion for animals, having adopted all three of his cats from such organizations. 

Additionally, she reached out to those struggling with mental health issues, urging them to connect with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK for support.

The TLC star concluded her tribute by uploading a picture of Garrison holding a cat with a big grin on his face. "To the stars, Bowen, to the stars," a bold caption stood out boldly across the picture.

A month before her late son's remembrance, the 55-year-old embarked on a significant mission to relish their time together. She shared her heartfelt journey on social media, where she traveled across the country in her late son's beloved pickup truck. 

This trip honored his memory and deepened her connection with Garrison. In a poignant video set to Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again," Janelle showcased the dual-cab pickup, which initially belonged to Garrison before he moved to Flagstaff. 

After Garrison's passing in February 2022, the truck was handed down to his younger brother, Gabriel Brown. However, with Gabriel choosing a smaller, more practical car for his life in Las Vegas, Janelle now faces a decision about the future of the pickup.

Although the vehicle is fully paid off, Janelle recognizes that its sentimental value far outweighs any trade-in offer, particularly due to her huge loss. 

Janelle provided accounts of events after her son's death, noting that she grew concerned when her son sent a troubling message to a group linked to their reality TV show.

The late 25-year-old reportedly expressed a mix of resentment and nostalgia. He wrote, "I want to hate you for sharing the good times. But I can't. I miss these days."

Although he did not include her in the conversation, Janelle noticed his message and quickly reached out to him. They exchanged a few texts, but when Garrison stopped responding, her worry deepened.

In an attempt to ensure his safety, she asked her other children to check on him. Gabriel, her fifth child, went to perform a wellness check on Garrison in Flagstaff, but unfortunately arrived too late. 

Disturbingly, Garrison's three roommates were unaware of his passing, and some reported hearing a popping sound the night before, though they did not suspect it was a gunshot.

May Janelle Brown continue to find the strength to bear the huge loss.