A body found in the Okanogan River has been identified as Matt Brown, a cast member from the reality show “Alaskan Bush People.” The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office reported that a private search team discovered the body on Saturday. The coroner is set to determine the cause of death, and condolences have been sent to the Brown family.
Noah Brown, one of Matt’s brothers, shared the heartbreaking news on social media, confirming the identification of Matt’s body. “I was there when they pulled him from the water,” he said.
Matt was part of “Alaskan Bush People” from 2014 to 2019, a show that followed the Brown family as they navigated life in the Alaskan wilderness. Throughout his time on the show, Matt openly discussed his struggles with alcohol addiction.
His brother Bear Brown hinted at these challenges in a TikTok video after the tragic news, expressing disbelief and concern that Matt would harm himself. Bear stated, “I didn’t think that he would hurt himself,” emphasizing the long battles Matt faced.
The Brown family’s patriarch, Billy Brown, passed away in 2021, adding another layer of grief for the family. Recently, there have been reports surrounding the circumstances of Matt’s death. A witness alerted the sheriff’s office after noticing a man in shallow water, but when they looked back, he was face down, drifting away.
Following this, a gun was found near the scene, leading to speculation about the nature of his death. Bear Brown mentioned in his video that the coroner indicated the entry wound might be self-inflicted.
Local and state responders, along with volunteer search teams, conducted several searches. Noah, who participated in the search, expressed the importance of expressing love to those we care about, showing the deep bond and heartbreak within the family.
If you or someone you know is struggling, resources are available. You can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for immediate support.
