The Tragic Truth: 5 Key Facts About Olivia Flowers' Brother, Conner Flowers, His Death, And Her Lyme Disease Advocacy

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The tragic loss of Conner Flowers, the older brother of Southern Charm star Olivia Flowers, sent shockwaves through the Charleston social scene and the Bravo reality TV community. As of December 2025, the Flowers family continues to navigate their grief while channeling their pain into powerful advocacy, bringing a deeply personal story to the forefront of national conversations about the opioid crisis and chronic illness.

Conner, who passed away unexpectedly in January 2023, was remembered by his family as a vibrant, fun-loving professional in Charleston's real estate market and an avid golfer. His death, which became a central storyline in a recent season of Southern Charm, has since been publicly addressed by Olivia, who has bravely shared the complex circumstances surrounding his passing to raise awareness about the intersection of chronic illness, mental health, and substance abuse.

Olivia Flowers: A Full Biography and Family Profile

Olivia Flowers rose to prominence as a cast member on the hit Bravo reality series Southern Charm, making her debut in Season 8. Known for her sophisticated style and candid nature, her life—and the profound impact of her brother's death—has been shared with millions of viewers.

  • Full Name: Olivia Flowers
  • Date of Birth: Exact date not publicly confirmed, but she is in her early 30s.
  • Place of Birth: Laguna Beach, California
  • Hometown/Residence: Charleston, South Carolina
  • Parents: Garry William Flowers and Robin Conner Flowers
  • Sibling: Conner Flowers (deceased)
  • Education: Graduated from Clemson University's Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and English.
  • Career: Reality television personality (*Southern Charm*), model, and Lyme disease advocate.
  • Family Background: The Flowers family is a well-established and affluent Charleston family. Her father, Garry Flowers, is a high-profile executive, and her parents have been a source of unwavering support for Olivia.

The Heartbreaking Story of Conner Flowers: Death, Cause, and Legacy

Conner Flowers was more than just Olivia's brother; he was an integral part of her life and a beloved figure in their community. His sudden death at the age of 32 has become a catalyst for the Flowers family to speak openly about difficult, often stigmatized, health issues.

Conner Flowers' Tragic Passing and Official Cause of Death

Conner Flowers passed away on January 30, 2023, just shy of his 33rd birthday. The announcement of his death was initially met with an outpouring of condolences from the Southern Charm cast and fans, but the cause remained private for several months.

In a courageous move to shed light on a public health crisis, Olivia Flowers later confirmed the official ruling from the coroner: Conner's cause of death was an accidental overdose of fentanyl.

This revelation was a painful but necessary step for the family, who wanted to be transparent about the dangers of the opioid epidemic. Olivia explained that Conner had been struggling with substance abuse issues for some time, a struggle she believes was deeply connected to a debilitating chronic illness he had been battling for years.

The Overlooked Battle with Lyme Disease

A critical, and often misunderstood, part of Conner's story is his long battle with chronic Lyme disease.

The Flowers family has emphasized that Conner's physical and mental health had been severely compromised by Lyme disease, which was difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat for many years.

Olivia has publicly shared that the chronic pain, neurological symptoms, and overall debilitation caused by the illness led Conner down a path of self-medication and substance abuse.

The family's narrative reframes the tragedy, suggesting that the fentanyl overdose was the final, devastating event in a long, grueling health crisis that began with a tick-borne illness. This perspective has resonated with many who advocate for greater awareness and better treatment for chronic Lyme disease.

Olivia’s Powerful Advocacy and How She Honors Conner's Memory

In the wake of her brother's death, Olivia Flowers has transformed her grief into a mission, becoming a prominent voice for two interconnected causes: Lyme disease awareness and the fight against fentanyl overdoses. This shift in focus has cemented her status as a genuine advocate, moving beyond her reality TV persona.

Shining a Light on Chronic Lyme Disease

Olivia and her family have partnered with several organizations, most notably Project Lyme and the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS).

In recent years, Olivia has been a keynote speaker at major charity events, including the Project Lyme 2024 Gala, where she delivered a moving speech about Conner's journey.

Her advocacy focuses on the need for better diagnostic tools, more comprehensive treatment options, and increased public understanding of the often-invisible suffering caused by chronic tick-borne diseases. By sharing Conner's story, she provides a human face to the statistics, urging medical professionals and the public to take the illness seriously.

The Emotional Toll on the Flowers Family

The loss has understandably taken a massive toll on the entire Flowers family. Olivia has been open about her parents, Garry and Robin Flowers, "figuring out their new reality" as they approach the anniversaries of their son's death.

The family's decision to share such intimate details of their private tragedy on a public platform like Southern Charm was a deliberate one, intended to help others who may be dealing with similar issues of substance abuse, chronic illness, and loss.

During the emotional season of the show, Olivia shared some of Conner's last words to her, a heartbreaking moment that underscored their close bond. She recalled him saying, "I'm proud of you," a sentiment that now fuels her determination to honor his memory through her advocacy work.

Conner Flowers' Lasting Impact on the Southern Charm Community

Conner's death had a palpable effect on the cast and dynamics of Southern Charm. His passing brought a sobering reality to the often-lighthearted show, allowing for deeper, more meaningful conversations among the cast members.

  • Cast Support: Olivia’s co-stars, including her former love interest Austen Kroll, Shep Rose, and Leva Bonaparte, rallied around her, offering public condolences and personal support during her darkest time.
  • Reality Shift: The storyline provided a necessary shift in the show's focus, moving away from petty drama to explore themes of grief, family, and mental health.
  • Public Awareness: By discussing the fentanyl overdose and the underlying Lyme disease on a major reality platform, the Flowers family ensured that Conner's story reached a massive and diverse audience, amplifying their message of awareness far beyond the typical advocacy circles.

In every public appearance and social media post, Olivia Flowers demonstrates that Conner's legacy is not defined by the manner of his death, but by the love of his family and the powerful change they are now fighting to create in his name.

The Tragic Truth: 5 Key Facts About Olivia Flowers' Brother, Conner Flowers, His Death, and Her Lyme Disease Advocacy
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