Members of Garrison Brown’s family took to social media on Thursday to remember the 25-year-old, six months after his tragic death.
As fans of Sister Wives know, Garrison–- son of Janelle and Kody Brown–- died by suicide in March. Garrison was found by his brother Gabe Brown, who went to check on him after their mom received alarming text messages from Garrison the previous night. At the time of his death, Garrison was estranged from Kody.
Janelle shared a photo of herself and Garrison to Instagram on Thursday, along with a caption honoring her late son.
“6 months ago today you went away,” she wrote. “You come up in my photo memories almost every day. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like you’re gone. And then I remember I won’t be getting a call or text from you and it all comes rushing back.
“I know you fought hard but in the end you just couldn’t stay,” Janelle continued. “I love you so much and will see you again when my journey is done.”
Janelle’s daughter Maddie Brown also paid tribute to Garrison on Thursday, sharing a carousel of photos featuring Garrison and his nephew, as well as a photo of herself and Garrison as little kids.
“Six months. It’s been six months since this beautiful soul left us and not a day goes by that I don’t think about him,” she wrote. “In some ways, it feels like he crosses my mind even more now, which might be a sad truth for many who’ve lost someone in this way.”
Like Janelle’s post, Maddie’s also acknowledged the struggles Garrison was facing, unbeknownst to his family.
“I am constantly reminded just how many people are touched by this kind of loss,” Maddie wrote. “Every day, I hear from people who, like me, were blindsided by the sudden absence of a loved one. Sometimes it bullying, sometimes it’s loneliness, and sometimes it’s mental health, which I don’t think we fully understand.
“My brother, Garrison, had his struggles, but this was not something any of us saw any signs for,” she continued. “We were truly blindsided. We talked regularly, and my mom’s kids have always been close-knit, even as life changed around us. Garrison was sarcastic and witty, and in moments of seriousness, he seemed almost uncomfortable with it–like it was hard for him to be vulnerable.”
Maddie went on to admit that she doesn’t know how to talk about her brother’s death, though she said his passing took the family “by surprise” and makes her wonder if things could have been different if they had “talked about mental health more openly.”
“ … I’ll never know for sure,” she wrote. “But what I do know is that the hurt doesn’t go away. It just transfers. And sometimes, it feels amplified.
“For anyone who’s been touched by this kind of loss, my heart is with you,” she concluded. “You’re not alone in this pain, and it’s okay not to have all the answers.”
As The Ashley previously told you, the upcoming season of ‘Sister Wives’ will show the Brown family navigating Garrison’s passing– something Kody and Christine Brown’s daughter Mykelti Brown recently said she’s “nervous” to watch.
“I’m so nervous about how they handle all the Garrison stuff,” Mykelti revealed last month on her and husband Tony Padron’s YouTube channel. “I’ve heard a couple of stories about how they address [his death in Season 19], talk about it, share it, and I don’t love any of their ideas on it.”
Mykelti went on to say that she hopes the show’s producers and editors will cover her brother’s death in a respectful way and not focus on the turmoil within the Brown family.
“It’s very unlikely I will like any of it, but I guess we’ll find out what happens with it all,” she said. “But I do hope whatever they do, it’s respectful and it’s about him. It’s not about petty grievances, or about anybody else or anybody else’s relationship. [I hope] it’s just about him. I hope they do him that courtesy and that honor. But, we’ll find out.”
Season 19 of ‘Sister Wives’ premieres Sunday, September 15 on TLC. Click here to watch a trailer for the season.
RELATED STORY: For Sale! Flagstaff Mansion Owned By ‘Sister Wives’ Star Kody & Robyn Brown Hits Market For $1.65 Million: Details
(Photos: Instagram)
6 Responses
“In some ways, it feels like he crosses my mind even more now, which might be a sad truth for many who’ve lost someone in this way.”
This is so true. The sudden passing of my dad (not suicide but it was still a shock) also happened almost 6 months ago, there are seconds when I think he is still here and for that second I’m incredibly happy. I can’t imagine how losing someone as young as Garrison (even tho my dad wasn’t elderly yet!) feels to a family. My sincere condolences to them. They say time heals all wounds but damn, those wounds run deep.
I’m sorry for your loss; I’m sure you feel his absence profoundly. I hope you find some comfort and peace as you reflect on the sweet memories you shared with your dad.
Time heals nothing. I understand your loss. My father died at the age of 59, a lifetime non smoker, rarely had a drink. He has been gone 40 years now but I still ache for the loss of him. My youngest brother died 13 months ago and again I ache. As the oldest it was up to me to arrange his cremation. The pain of losing my dad and my brother is a pain that will be with me always. Time heals nothing. And any one who says they know what you are going through usually has never gone through that loss.
I have been watching season 18. So sad to see him and to know he won’t be here much longer after it was filmed. So heartbreaking.
The video Maddie posted of Garrison and Axel made me tear up. Garrison seemed like such a warm, wonderful person. So sad.