Matt Brown of ‘Alaskan Bush People’ Passes Away at 42

Matt Brown, known for his appearance on Discovery Channel’s “Alaskan Bush People,” has tragically passed away at the age of 42. Confirmation of his death was shared by his brother, Bear Brown. Authorities recovered a body from a Washington state river, which Bear confirmed as Matt’s through a TikTok video.

Bear mentioned that their brother Noah positively identified Matt’s body. The tragic news raised many questions regarding the circumstances of his death. Bear expressed that he never anticipated Matt would harm himself, though he struggled for a long time.

“It appears the injury is self-inflicted,” Bear stated, noting that official confirmation from the coroner is yet to follow. The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office had received a 911 call about a man in the river, later identified as Matt Brown. A firearm was reportedly found near the location adding to the grave situation.

In his message, Bear requested privacy for the family, especially for their mother, Ami Brown, urging people to be respectful during this difficult time.

Matt was part of “Alaskan Bush People” from 2014 to 2019 before leaving due to addiction struggles. During a 2016 interview with People, Matt openly discussed his challenges with addiction, describing how his drinking habits spiraled out of control. He shared the emotional struggle of revealing his addiction to his parents but expressed gratitude for their support during his recovery journey.

After completing a 35-day treatment program, Matt spoke about gaining a new perspective on life and turning his weakness into a strength. He aimed to find his way back from the hardships he faced.

Unfortunately, this is not the first tragedy for the Brown family. Billy Brown, the patriarch of “Alaskan Bush People,” passed away at the age of 68 in 2021 due to a seizure. His sudden demise left a deep impact on the family, as they remembered him fondly as a wonderful father, grandfather, and husband who lived life on his own terms.

Bear emphasized the family’s intention to honor Billy’s legacy by living life off the grid as he taught them. The family has asked for privacy and prayers during their time of mourning.