Matt Brown’s Passing at 42 Confirmed: ‘Alaskan Bush People’ Star’s Life and Struggles

This article touches upon the sensitive topic of suicide. If you or anyone you know has suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or call 800-273-TALK (8255).

Matt Brown, known for his role in the Discovery Channel’s show “Alaskan Bush People,” has passed away at 42. His brother, Bear Brown, confirmed through social media that Matt was found dead after his 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 stated in a TikTok video.

Bear further explained that their brother Noah was crucial in confirming Matt’s identity.

Reports indicate the incident likely involved a self-inflicted injury, although official confirmation is pending coroner assessments. The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call concerning a man in a shallow part of the river. Upon arrival, it was reported that the man was seen face down in the water, and a firearm was found nearby, according to Page Six.

Bear urged for respect towards their family’s privacy, particularly their mother, Ami Brown.

“Please be respectful to my family, especially my mom. Please don’t attack her. She cared very much for Matt,” Bear pleaded.

Matt Brown appeared in “Alaskan Bush People” from 2014 to 2019 before leaving to address personal challenges, including addiction. He candidly discussed his struggles with alcohol during a 2016 interview with People magazine.

“I started drinking lightly and then it got to be more and more,” he shared. “I saw the problem around the corner and wanted to address it.”

Acknowledging issues with addiction, Matt sought treatment and completed a 35-day program, crediting his family’s support for helping him in recovery.

“Their support was unbelievable. It made me feel like I could be successful on this journey,” Matt reflected.

This tragedy follows another for the Brown family, as their patriarch Billy Brown passed away at age 68 in 2021. He died following a seizure, news confirmed by the family.

“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved patriarch, Billy Brown, passed away last night after suffering from a seizure,” the family communicated.

Billy Brown’s life philosophy of living off the grid and off the land significantly impacted his family. Bear expressed intentions to continue honoring his father’s legacy.

“He lived his life on his terms. We plan to honor his legacy and continue with his dream. We ask for privacy and prayers during this painful time,” Bear shared.