Warning: This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or call 800-273-TALK (8255).
Matt Brown, who appeared on the Discovery Channel’s “Alaskan Bush People,” has been found dead at the age of 42. On Saturday, his brother Bear Brown confirmed the news on social media, after a body was recovered from a river in Washington state.
“They found a body in the river a few hours ago, and it was positively identified as being Matt,” Bear said in a TikTok video.
The confirmation came after their brother Noah positively identified Matt’s body. Bear expressed disbelief and sorrow over the situation, noting that he never suspected Matt would harm himself, despite Matt’s long struggle with personal issues.
Bear stated, “It does look as though the injury is self-inflicted. Obviously, the coroner still has to make an official determination, but I thought you should know that it is him.” The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call on Wednesday after a witness saw a man in a shallow part of the river. The witness later reported hearing a noise and saw the man face down in the water. A firearm was reportedly found at the scene.
Bear Brown urged fans to respect their family’s privacy during this difficult time, particularly their mother, Ami Brown. Matt Brown was a part of “Alaskan Bush People” from 2014 to 2019. He left the show due to addiction struggles.
In a 2016 interview with People, Matt discussed his battle with alcohol, explaining that his drinking gradually became a problem. “I saw the problem around the corner, and I didn’t want to be one of those guys,” he said. Despite the challenges, he found his family’s support invaluable.
“Their support was unbelievable,” Matt shared. “It instantly made me feel better and like I could be successful on this journey.” After completing a 35-day treatment program, he claimed to have a new outlook on life, transforming his weakness into a strength.
This tragedy marks another loss for the Brown family. Billy Brown, the family patriarch, passed away in 2021 following a seizure at 68. “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved patriarch Billy Brown passed away,” the family said in a statement. Billy lived independently, off the land, teaching his family the same values.