Matt Brown, the eldest son of the Brown family featured on Discovery Channel's reality series Alaskan Bush People, has been found dead at age 43, according to his brother Bear Brown.
Bear Brown, 38, announced the tragic news via TikTok on Saturday, May 30, stating that authorities had recovered a body from the Okanogan River in Washington state. "They found a body in the river a few hours ago and it was positively identified as being Matt," Bear Brown said in the video. "[Brother] Noah was with them and helped them pull the body out of the water. Noah identified [Matt]."
The discovery came after a multi-day search effort that had been suspended earlier due to dangerous river conditions. Oregon authorities had halted search operations just hours before the body was found, citing deteriorating weather and hazardous water levels that hampered rescue efforts.
In his emotional announcement, Bear Brown revealed that while his brother had "struggled for a long time," he never anticipated this outcome. "I was so worried that he would end up ODed or something like that. I didn't think he would hurt himself," Bear Brown told his followers. He confirmed that the coroner has not yet performed an autopsy, though the death is theorized to be "self-inflicted."
The search began after the Okanogan County Sheriff's Office received a call on Wednesday, May 27, reporting a man sitting in the shallow waters of the Okanogan River. According to TMZ, an anonymous caller reported looking away briefly and then hearing a sound. When the caller turned back, the man was allegedly lying face down in the river and being swept away by the current. Emergency responders searched the area but initially could not locate a body.
On Thursday, May 28, Bear Brown had posted a TikTok video addressing concerns about his brother's well-being. "I'm being told that late last night that Matt took his own life," Bear Brown said in that earlier clip. "I can't confirm that that's true, but witnesses say that he was seen in a river, at a river or close to a river."
Prior to confirmation of the death, a source close to the Browns told Us Weekly that "the family is not sure what to believe" amid the speculation. The insider explained that family members were "all in contact and speaking to police and waiting to hear," adding that "Gabe has been the person most in contact with him."
In his Saturday announcement, Bear Brown made an emotional plea for compassion, particularly in light of online negativity his brother had experienced. "I would ask people to please, please be respectful to my family and to my mom. Please watch the comments that you leave, guys," he said. "Sometimes words can hurt more than fists can … In one of [Matt's] last videos, he was talking about how negative people were on his posts. You guys should keep in mind that people on the other side of your screen, people you are watching a video of, are real people too."
Matt Brown was the eldest son of Billy Brown and Ami Brown, and appeared on Alaskan Bush People from 2014 to 2019. The Discovery Channel series, which aired for 14 seasons from 2014 to 2022, followed the Brown family as they lived off the grid in Hoonah, Alaska. Matt Brown quietly departed the show without an official explanation and subsequently ran his own YouTube channel.
Throughout his life, Matt Brown struggled with substance abuse. He entered rehabilitation treatment in 2016 and returned for a second round of treatment two years later following a relapse. His siblings include Bear, Gabe, Joshua "Bam Bam" Brown, Noah Brown, Bird Brown, and Rain Brown.
The Brown family has endured significant loss in recent years. Alaskan Bush People came to an end in 2022, one year after family patriarch Billy Brown died at age 68 after suffering a seizure.
Bear Brown concluded his announcement by thanking followers who supported the search efforts and reiterating his request for kindness. "I would just ask you to please, please, please be kind," he said. "Especially with my siblings … Please leave my family out of it."
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
