For over a decade, viewers watched the Brown family’s journey unfold on Sister Wives, but nothing could have prepared them for the May 4th episode. Titled “Stars Will Fall From The Sky,” the installment paid heartbreaking tribute to Janelle and Kody Brown’s late son, Garrison Brown, who died by suicide in March 2024 at just 25 years old.
Janelle’s raw and emotional confessional pierced through the screen. “I knew he was struggling,” she said. “He and I talked probably three times a day. I was texting him all day long.” Her recounting of the moment she heard the devastating news was unbearable: “Gabriel had found him… He’s like, ‘Mom, he’s gone.’ I mean, ‘What do you mean?’ He said, ‘He’s dead. He killed himself.'”
The episode was a gut punch. From Meri silently declining Kody’s phone call during a confessional shoot to Kody tearfully saying, “I just wanted to take my boy home to Wyoming,” the pain was inescapable. Fans and Reddit users alike admitted this was the first time the show made them cry uncontrollably.
Tonight on Sister Wives, Janelle, Kody, and the Brown family face an unimaginable loss.
— TLC Network (@TLC) May 4, 2025
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or chat at https://t.co/aXTqjIURZQ pic.twitter.com/WLxWK3lS8J
Sister Wives:“It Felt Like Losing a Family Member”
Viewers didn’t just mourn Garrison’s passing—they remembered him as if he were one of their own. Comments poured in across social platforms, revealing just how deeply this loss resonated. “I bawled like he was my own child,” one fan wrote. “Gabe destroyed me. He is such a sensitive soul and reminds me of my own baby boy.”
Many fans were touched by Janelle’s memory of Garrison being a loving, hands-on big brother. “He was very mindful of Truely,” she said, accompanied by touching home videos of him planting with his siblings and laughing with the younger kids. Even Robyn, often the center of controversy, was acknowledged by Janelle when she said, “He would come over every day to see Sol and Ari.”
The show’s handling of the episode was widely praised. “It wasn’t exploitative. It was a reflection of their pain,” said one Redditor. “TLC got this one right,” added another. Fans credited Janelle for maintaining the dignity and honesty of Garrison’s story.
Sister Wives: A Family Torn, United by Grief
Despite the cracks in the family dynamic, this episode revealed a shared grief that transcended the show’s long-standing conflicts. Christine, who had parted ways with Kody, delivered one of the most emotional lines: “To the stars, G. To the stars.”
Meanwhile, Meri, often isolated from the rest of the family, offered food and support to Janelle. “That was so sweet,” noted a fan. Others were quick to point out Meri’s silent but powerful presence: “Meri constantly demonstrates she is such a loyal person.”
Kody himself surprised many by reflecting on his shortcomings as a father. “It just wasn’t supposed to be this way,” he said, with tears in his eyes. Fans noticed a shift in his tone, possibly the beginning of a reckoning with his estranged relationships with his children.
Sister Wives: Viewers Share Their Own Battles With Grief
The emotional weight of the episode triggered real-life grief responses from fans, many of whom shared deeply personal stories of loss. One viewer wrote, “I lost my son just over a year ago to suicide. I’m a sobbing mess. This poor family… from one broken mama to another.”
Another shared, “My grandfather died this way. This affects generations. It haunts you forever.”
Some viewers said they were moved to reach out to their own children immediately after the episode. “I texted my sons right after. And hugged the one still here a little longer than he likes.”
Mental health advocates praised the show for addressing the subject with compassion and care. Janelle’s insistence that Garrison had support and resources resonated. One Redditor added, “Please folks, if you are struggling, know that you are worthy of help.”
Sister Wives: Robyn Sparks Controversy Yet Again
While most of the family’s grief was praised as heartfelt, Robyn Brown’s brief screen time sparked intense backlash. Her reaction—or lack thereof—was called out across Reddit. “She looked at the ceiling, blinked hard and wiped away nothing,” one commenter wrote.
Some viewers gave Robyn grace, referencing that one of her brothers also died by suicide. But for many, her comments felt hollow. “She didn’t watch him grow from a baby to a man. There was no connection,” wrote one viewer. “She’d be best to just sit all the way down and shut ALL the way up.”
Despite the tension, Janelle’s earlier statement about Garrison visiting Robyn’s kids did raise eyebrows. Whether out of obligation or love, Garrison still made an effort to maintain relationships.
Sister Wives: A Legacy Written in the Stars
Garrison Brown’s legacy is now a permanent part of the Sister Wives story. He was a builder, a big brother, a photographer with an affinity for the night sky. The title of the episode, “Stars Will Fall From The Sky,” was a poetic nod to his passion. One fan noted, “I think the photo of the night sky over Janelle’s camper was taken by Garrison. His photography of the night sky was always outstanding.”
Viewers left the episode with swollen eyes and aching hearts, but also with a deeper appreciation for life, love, and the pain of loss. “If love could’ve saved him, he’d still be with us,” said one fan, quoting Rick Warren.
For many, this was not just an episode—it was a reminder of fragility, connection, and the enduring bond of family.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You are not alone.
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