Cynthia Bailey shared the details of her phone conversation with Mary Cosby after the death of Robert Cosby Jr.
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Cosby's son died on Feb. 23 at the age of 23 following a years-long struggle with addiction and mental health
Cynthia explained in an episode of her Humble Brag podcast that she offered her support to Mary, who told her, "It's okay"
Cynthia Baileyis reflecting on her conversation withMary Cosbyshortly after the sudden death ofRobert Cosby Jr.
During the latest episode of herHumble Bragpodcast,The Real Housewives of Atlantastar, 59, addressed the loss of Mary's son, Robert Jr., who died on Monday, Feb. 23. He was 23.
Admitting that "it's so hard to talk about," Cynthia revealed that she calledThe Real Housewives of Salt Lake Citystar, 53, when the news broke.
"I was really paralyzed by this news when I got it," Cynthia explained. "I didn't really know what to do, what to say. I knew that I couldn't text. I just felt like I had to pick up the phone and call [Mary], and I did, and to my surprise, she picked right up. Then I was really surprised, because I didn't expect her to pick up."
"First I was like, 'You didn't have to pick up. I just wanted to call. I didn't feel like a text was the right thing to do, and I just wanted to call you and say I love you and I'm here for you and I'm so sorry for you and your family,' " she continued.
PEOPLE previously reported thatauthorities were called to Mary's Utah homejust before 6 p.m. local time on Feb. 23, where "a 23-year-old male" presumed to be Robert Jr. was "not conscious" and "not breathing," per police dispatch audio.
Robert Jr. was given one dose of Narcan, an over-the-counter nasal spray used to reverse life-threatening opioid overdoses, as he was in a "full arrest/medical emergency," and three police units were sent to the scene. When they arrived, their overdose investigation "turned into a death investigation," a spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Police Department told PEOPLE.
Cynthia went on to praise Mary for her "strength" as a mother before offering more details about the heartfelt call.
"One of the things that she just said, 'It's okay,' " Cynthia shared. "She just kept saying, 'It's okay. It's okay.' And it just felt like, I think there's levels — there's shock, there's just processing the reality of the situation."
"She's pushing through," Cynthia later added of Mary. "She's pushing through, and she knows and appreciates everyone's love and support. So continue to love on Mary. No matter what, I know that this is just devastating for her."
Noting that she's happy they were able to speak, Cynthia further highlighted the impact of Mary and Robert Jr.'s on-camera discussions about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse.
"Her son sharing that part of his life was so powerful and so honest," Cynthia said. "I just applaud Mary for being just so brave to show [that]. It's a reality show, we're supposed to show our reality, but when I tell you, to be able to show that, was just really powerful for so many other families that are going through that type of issue — addiction."
Robert Jr. first opened up about hisaddictionin an emotional season 5 conversation ofRHOSLCwith his mother, which aired in November 2024. In the scene, he revealed that he began using both prescription and recreational drugs at 16 after trying Xanax at a party.
He also shared that he had been abusing other prescription drugs, including the ADHD medication Adderall and the opioid painkiller OxyContin, taking as many as 10 at once.
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"I couldn't even feel it," he recalled. "I couldn't feel it at all."
He then told Mary thathe had tried heroinwhen his addiction worsened, admitting that he had "wanted to die at the time."
"I felt like a stain — I just felt like this world wasn't for me," Robert Jr. said, telling his mother, "You're the only reason I didn't kill myself."
In December 2024, Mary said that hecompleted a month-long stay in rehaband "came out a new person."
However, Robert Jr., who had been arrested in 2022 for a DUI, was arrestedagain in September 2025 on multiple charges— including criminal trespassing, assault, failure to stop at the command of law enforcement and three counts of violating a court order, per his booking record viewed by PEOPLE.
In November 2025, he was arrested again after violating a pretrial protective order. He pleaded guilty to eight of the 14 total charges he was facing, while the remaining six misdemeanor charges were dismissed with prejudice. He wasreleased from jail on Feb. 3and was sentenced to 36 months of probation and 75 hours of community service.
Cynthia said that she had seen Mary while filmingThe Real Housewives Ultimate Road Triplast month, around the time Robert Jr. got out of jail. When she asked about him, Cynthia said Mary "was very optimistic" that her son would "get better."
"We love you, Mary. I love you so much, and you're always in my heart and thoughts and prayers," Cynthia concluded. "I can't wait to see you again, to give you the biggest, tightest hug."
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On Wednesday, Feb. 25, Mary and her husbandRobert Cosby Sr.shared a statement with PEOPLEregarding the death of their son.
"Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God's promise and in knowing he is finally at peace," it read. "We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow."
A few days later, Mary honored him onInstagramwith athrowback photoof her and Robert Jr. when he was a child, as Jessica Mauboy's cover ofCyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" played in the background.
"#godfirst #love #forever I'm Going to miss you bubs❤️🙏😢." Mary wrote.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
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