Austen Kroll remembers seeing Olivia Flowers after her brother’s death
Austen Krol wanted to be there, for example Olivia Flowers as much as he could after her brother Conner died in January.
“It was really hard for me because I felt like… I should be the one to be there for her, but I obviously chose not to be that person,” Austen, 36, explained. Watch what happens live with Andy Cohen on Thursday, November 2.
Olivia, 31, finally called Austen after her brother’s death, and he rushed to be by her side. Although the pair’s relationship has been rocky following their split in September 2022, Austen felt a “stronger bond” with his former flame following her loss.
“It was kind of a moment that I’ll never forget,” the Southern Charm star shared WWHL host Andy Cohen. “I ran down to see her, and we just had a rom-com movie moment where we met in the driveway and bumped into each other.”
Austen felt at the time that he could identify with Olivia because of his own experience of losing a sibling. Austen’s older sister, Kyle, died during a family trip to Chimney Rock State Park when he was seven years old.
Andy Cohen, Alex Cooper and Austen Kroll on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen”
Charles Sykes/Bravo“It was just a moment you can’t really describe,” he said.
Olivia and her family confirmed Conner’s death at age 32 in February, calling him “a remarkable young man” in a statement to Us Weekly at the time. “His values were sown in his faith and in his family,” the statement continued. “We know his absence will be felt by many for years to come.”
Fans watched as Olivia and the Southern charm cast mourned Connor when the episodes surrounding his death aired on Bravo last month.
For her part, Olivia confirmed her brother’s cause of death on Wednesday, November 1, revealing that Conner died of an accidental fentanyl overdose. She explained that his dependence on prescription medications was closely related to his long-term battle with Lyme disease. (He was diagnosed at age 15.)
Olivia Flowers and Connor Flowers
Courtesy of Olivia Flowers/Instagram“He started depending on this prescription drug at a very young age to feel normal,” Olivia told People on Wednesday. “And we as a family started to see the toll it was taking on his body.”
The Bravo star explained that Conner “hated talking about his illness” and that “people, even close to him, didn’t know about his Lyme.”
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Olivia was quick to address the stigma behind fentanyl overdose, explaining that “these were not substances he turned to to party.” She noted that Conner became addicted to the various medications prescribed to him over the years.
“When you hear he died of a fentanyl overdose, you immediately assume he was partying,” she said. “Conner wasn’t like that. This was a setback. This was his way of surviving.”