Thanksgiving was a bittersweet occasion for Janelle Brown as the “Sister Wives” star marked the first major holiday since the death of her son Garrison Brown in March 2024.
The 25-year-old appeared to have died by suicide, police in Flagstaff, Arizona told NBC News at the time of his death. Garrison Brown was one of six children Janelle Brown shared with her ex-husband Kody Brown.
The reality star paid tribute to her late son on Instagram, posting a picture of her holding a framed photo of her son.
“First of the ‘big’ holidays without you sweetheart. We all gathered in NC to celebrate together and kept your photo close by,” Janelle Brown captioned the post.
The mother of six then described how she and her family paid homage to Garrison Brown on the holiday.
“We laughed about your silly sense of humor and told so many stories honoring you,” she wrote. “We ate, played games and enjoyed each other’s company.”
The reality star ended her caption by noting that she felt her late son’s presence throughout the holiday weekend.
“Everyone is returning home now and normal life resumes tomorrow. But I feel you close by,” she wrote.
Janelle Brown’s Instagram followers showered her with support in the comments, with many sharing their own grief stories.
“Holidays are hard hun. But you have such inner strength,” one wrote.
Another commented, “Hugs to you Janelle. I am also a Mother who lost my Son to suicide … Be kind and gentle with yourself. Sending lots of love to you and your family ❤️🌻.”
In September, Janelle Brown posted another tribute to her late son on Instagram to mark six months since his death.
“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. I love you so much and will see you again when my journey is done,” she captioned the post.
A few weeks after Garrison Brown’s death, his sister Maddie Brown Brush discussed the mental health challenges her brother faced in an Instagram video.
“Mental health is so important and I don’t think we talk about it enough and I don’t think we do enough to bring awareness. It wasn’t bullying. It wasn’t a lack of love that Garrison had. It was mental health,” she said.
Brown Brush went on to describe how social media had a negative influence on her brother.
“Social media is not real … it’s a highlight reel and that was something that Garrison and I talked a lot about. Garrison used to feel like he wasn’t doing enough because he was comparing himself to things on social media. I don’t think that it’s real and I think we need to remember that,” she said.