Throughout the years, Sister Wives star Janelle Brown has been known for her neutral stance, often likened to Switzerland, especially in the intricate politics of the Brown family’s polygamous structure.
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Typically rational, Janelle sought balance in disputes. However, her tolerance has been tested, particularly in recent years, due to Robyn Brown, Kody Brown’s fourth and most favored wife.
Robyn, often referred to as “Sobbin’ Robyn,” has been accused of using emotional manipulation to steer family situations in her favor, and it seems Janelle has reached her breaking point.
Robyn Brown’s Role In The Family Rift
Even before the tragic death of Garrison Brown at 25 on March 5, the Brown family was already in disarray.
Many within the family, as well as viewers of the show, pointed to Robyn as a significant cause of the family’s issues. Her relationship with Janelle was notably distant, with tension growing more apparent in the past few seasons.
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While Janelle debated whether to stay in her marriage with Kody, Robyn was seen subtly pushing Kody toward reconciliation.
Fans, however, often questioned the sincerity of Robyn’s efforts. As Janelle and Kody’s relationship deteriorated, Robyn distanced herself further, seemingly indifferent to the fate of Kody’s other marriages.
As Sister Wives gears up for a new season, rumors have circulated about Robyn’s behavior at Garrison’s funeral. Photos from the Air Force memorial captured Janelle and her son, Hunter, seated in the front row, with Robyn also present, visibly emotional.
While Janelle acknowledged these moments, adding, “This was a beautiful moment for us,” speculation continues that Robyn caused a scene. Fans hope the upcoming season provides further insight into these tensions.
The Shock Of Garrison Brown’s Death
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Janelle opened up about Garrison’s death in an interview with People, expressing her disbelief, saying Garrison “didn’t ever express any kind of extreme sad feelings. In fact, he was very funny, very upbeat. He had a career path that he was excited about.”
The Sister Wives star added that the family had “no idea that he was in that place,” noting that “substance abuse” likely added to his state of mind before his death.
Janelle revealed that Garrison didn’t show any warning signs, sharing, “We actually were having conversations. He had all the resources that he could have needed. This was just such a shock. We just never expected this.”
Garrison was found dead in his Flagstaff, Arizona home, and officials ruled his death a suicide due to a gunshot wound. Janelle reflected on how she believed Garrison was improving, saying, “I really thought he was getting better… it’s tough in your twenties, but there were no signs.”
Lessons Learned From Grief
Despite her grief, Janelle has taken valuable lessons from this tragedy. She emphasized the importance of discussing mental health, especially for young men like her son. “We should be speaking more, especially about mental health for men, and that there’s no shame in getting help and seeking help. We just had no idea. This was such a shock to us,” she said, stressing that her family now prioritizes regular emotional check-ins.
“Life situations come up, and we’re always like, ‘Okay, so what about mental health?’ We actually say the words and we wait to hear what’s really happening, not just kind of gloss over it. I think we’re definitely putting more stock in mental health in our family.”
While Kody mourns in his way, Janelle has focused on protecting her and her children’s mental well-being. Though she continues to check in on Kody, she has notably distanced herself from Robyn. Fans are eager to see how these dynamics unfold in the upcoming season.
Financial Disputes Post-Divorce
When Janelle and Kody split up in 2022, she not only had emotional distress but also financial difficulties. The financial resources of the family have come under scrutiny, especially those connected to Robyn’s Flagstaff house.
Janelle revealed that, despite contributing to the down payment on Robyn’s house, Kody refused to put her name on the mortgage. She recalled telling their daughter Madison, “When I put the money into the house, I said, ‘Well, I think it would be fair if all of our names were on the mortgage,” Janelle recalls to her and Kody’s daughter Madison Brush. “And he’s like, ‘No, no, we need to protect, you know, protect Robyn’s estate. She needs to have it so it’s hers and so it’s ours.’”
Following her split from Kody, Janelle has expressed a desire to reclaim the money she invested in the home. However, Robyn has claimed that the financial entanglements within the family are too complicated to unravel.
“When Janelle’s bringing up that Kody and I owe her something, it’s like, how do you, how do you calculate? How do you figure that out? It’s so confusing,” Robyn explained in a confessional interview.
Legal Action on the Horizon
Janelle’s frustrations extend beyond Robyn’s home. She has grown increasingly concerned over the Coyote Pass land, a plot that remains unpaid. Janelle disclosed that Kody has avoided discussing the future of this shared asset, leading her to consider legal action.
“We’ve got to pay it off, and he’s not talking to me about it,” Janelle says of Coyote Pass. “So I think I’m going to have to lawyer up, I think, because I think that’s the only way I’m ever going to get any kind of decision out of him.”
Kody, on the other hand, justified his silence by citing mistrust. “Janelle asks me about the property all the time, but I don’t trust her anymore so I don’t give her any information,” he said, adding that he’s tired of family matters being leaked to the public.
The Future of Coyote Pass
Janelle also shared how Coyote Pass is divided among the wives: she and Kody share a two-acre lot, Robyn and Kody share another, and Kody, Meri, and Janelle jointly own the third four-acre lot. Since Christine’s departure in 2021, Kody and Robyn also hold the final five-acre lot.
For Janelle, Coyote Pass represents one of the few remaining assets she can claim from her marriage. She has hinted at the possibility of selling her share or forcing Kody to buy her out.
Although legally unwed to Kody, Janelle acknowledged the complexity of asserting legal claims on their shared property. “Part of it is, I really have no legal rights to make any kind of claim on Kody’s property. Like, we’re not legally married. It’s not like I’m just calling a lawyer and saying I need to divorce this person. No, it’s really complicated because there’s no legal marriage,” she explained.
As Janelle navigates these legal and emotional hurdles, fans are keen to see how these personal and financial battles evolve in the next season of Sister Wives.
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