A former star of the Discovery Channel series “Alaskan Bush People” was found dead in a Washington state river on May 30, 2026, in what his family believes was a suicide. Matt Brown was 42 years old.
The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on May 31 confirming that Brown’s body was discovered by a group of private citizens who had been searching the Okanogan River. According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, a 911 caller had reported seeing a man sitting in the shallow water of the river south of Oroville. The caller looked away and heard a sound, then turned back to find the man face down in the water and drifting with the current. A firearm was recovered from the water in the area where the man was last seen.
Matt Brown’s brother, Bear Brown, confirmed in a TikTok video that another sibling, Noah Brown, was part of the search team and was responsible for identifying the body. “They found a body in the river a few hours ago, and it was positively identified as being Matt. Noah [Brown] was with him and helped pull him out of the water, and Noah identified him,” Bear said in the video.
The coroner has not yet determined the official cause and manner of death, according to the sheriff’s office.
Years of Addiction and Recovery
Matt Brown had spent years battling alcohol and drug addiction, struggles that were well-documented both on the family’s reality show and on social media after he left the series. Bear Brown told followers in his video that he had been concerned about the possibility of his brother overdosing but never imagined he would take his own life. “I would have never suspected he would have hurt himself, honestly. He struggled for a long time, as I’ve mentioned. I was so worried he was gonna end up OD’ed or something like that, I didn’t think that he would hurt himself,” Bear said.
During their last conversation, Matt told Bear he had “fallen off the wagon,” indicating a relapse in his battle with substance abuse.
The family’s shock at the apparent suicide comes after years of fearing a different outcome to Matt’s struggles. Despite his ongoing attempts at recovery, the possibility of self-harm had not been their primary concern.
Rising to Fame in the Alaskan Wilderness
As the eldest of the Brown siblings, Matt Brown became a central figure on “Alaskan Bush People,” which aired on the Discovery Channel from 2014 to 2022. The docudrama series followed the Brown family as they lived off the grid in the Alaskan wilderness, building their own homes, hunting for food and homeschooling the children far from modern civilization.
Matt appeared in 79 episodes across the show’s first eight seasons from 2014 to 2019. Known for his quirky personality and deep love for his family, he was a fan favorite as viewers watched him navigate life in one of America’s most unforgiving environments. He left the series to focus on his recovery and personal life, with his departure directly tied to his addiction struggles.
After leaving the show, Matt occasionally shared updates on social media about his sobriety, his artwork and his life beyond the cameras, allowing fans to continue following his journey.
A Call for Kindness
In his video announcement, Bear Brown appealed to fans and critics to show compassion toward the grieving family. He noted that many people had left negative comments on Matt’s social media accounts in recent years, messages that may have contributed to his brother’s emotional pain.
Bear asked viewers to please be respectful to his family and to their mother, adding that sometimes words can hurt more than fists can. His message has resonated with fans of “Alaskan Bush People,” who have responded with an outpouring of tributes and condolences.
On June 1, the family posted an official statement to their verified Instagram account. “It is with broken hearts that we share the loss of our beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, Matthew Brown,” it read, describing him as “intelligent, curious, creative” and “a gifted outdoorsman, fisherman, boatman, artist, and lifelong learner.” The family acknowledged his long battle with addiction and mental health, saying they experienced “periods of hope, recovery, setbacks, heartbreak, and reconciliation,” and that they “do not believe any person’s life should be defined solely by their lowest moments.” They closed: “He was imperfect. He was human. He was deeply loved. And he will be missed beyond words.”
Matt Brown’s death marks another profound loss for the close-knit Brown family. Patriarch Billy Brown, who was the driving force behind the family’s adventurous lifestyle, died in 2021.
Matt is survived by his mother, Ami Brown, and his six siblings, including Bear and Noah. As the family awaits the coroner’s official findings, tributes continue to pour in from fans who watched him grow up on screen and rooted for him through his battles.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
