Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of death and suicide.
Matt Brown Passes Away at 43
Matt Brown, star of the reality television series Alaskan Bush People, has died at the age of 43. Brown appeared in over 80 episodes of the show, which chronicles the lives of the Brown family living off the grid in Alaska.
In a recent social media post, his brother Bear Brown revealed that Matt, who had been estranged from the family for a long time, had passed away. In an emotional video, Bear appeared in tears as he confirmed the likelihood of his older brother's death.
Bear said, “I wanted to start out by saying that I can’t confirm that it’s a hundred percent true right now, but it is what I’m hearing.” He added, “I’m being told that late last night Matt took his own life. Witnesses say that he was seen in a river, at a river, or close to a river, and that he took his own life, and that they saw him floating down the river.”
He explained that the news was based on witness accounts and that authorities had been searching the area for Brown. Bear also shared that his brother had been struggling with alcohol and substance abuse for some time and had been estranged from the family.
Bear Brown Recalls Last Meeting with Matt
In the video, Bear recalled the last time he saw his brother at a grocery store. He said, “Before I left for Florida, I actually ran into him in Walmart, and we talked for a few minutes, and that was the last time I saw him. He called me after that and said he had fallen off the wagon. I told him, ‘Get back on it, man. Everybody falls off. Go to rehab if you have to. You’ve got this.’ That was the last call I had with him, a little while ago.”
Bear concluded the video by asking for privacy and respect, stating he wanted to keep everyone updated. In a follow-up post, he addressed malicious comments about his family and noted that the body is ‘99%’ confirmed to be Matt.
Search Called Off Until Further Notice
In a social media post on May 30, the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office reported that search efforts had been conducted. The statement read: “Deputies and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife agents used boats, personal watercraft, sonar, and divers to search an expanding area near the last location the male was seen. A canine from Spokane, trained in detection of human remains, was deployed, and implements were used to drag the river bottom. The male has not been located; no signs of the male have been located.”
The statement added that due to worsening weather conditions, search operations have been suspended until further notice.
Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, or mental illness, please seek professional help immediately from a doctor, mental health expert, or NGO. Helplines are also available.
