The death of Matt Brown, the eldest son of the Brown family featured on Alaskan Bush People, has saddened fans across the world.
Brown, 42, was found dead in Washington on May 30, according to statements shared by his brother, Bear Brown, on social media.
Bear Brown confirmed that authorities identified the body after it was recovered from a river.
While official findings from the coroner are still pending, Bear said preliminary indications suggest the injury may have been self inflicted. He added that the family is waiting for the final determination from investigators.
Matt Brown became a familiar face to television audiences when Alaskan Bush People premiered in 2014.
The Discovery Channel series followed the Brown family’s unconventional lifestyle in remote wilderness areas of Alaska and later Washington. As the eldest sibling, Matt played a prominent role during the show’s early seasons.
Over the years, Brown openly discussed his struggles with alcohol addiction. In 2016, he entered a rehabilitation program after recognizing that his drinking habits were becoming a serious concern.
At the time, he spoke publicly about seeking treatment and credited his family for supporting his recovery efforts.
However, Brown later became estranged from much of his family and stepped away from the reality series in 2019.
He spent the following years largely outside the public spotlight while maintaining a presence on YouTube and social media. His online content focused on recovery, personal growth and reflections on life after television fame.
According to Bear Brown, one of their last conversations took place after the brothers unexpectedly met at a Walmart.
Bear recalled encouraging Matt to return to treatment after Matt admitted he had relapsed. He said he remained hopeful that his brother would continue fighting his addiction.
The tragedy has renewed discussions about the long term challenges faced by people recovering from substance abuse.
Health organizations have consistently noted that recovery is often a lifelong process that can involve setbacks, relapses and ongoing support.
Brown’s final videos suggested he was facing difficult circumstances but remained appreciative of supporters who followed his journey. His YouTube channel attracted more than 65,000 subscribers and nearly eight million views.
Matt Brown is survived by his mother, Ami Brown, his brothers Bam Bam, Bear, Gabe and Noah Brown, and his sisters Bird and Rain Brown.
He was preceded in death by his father, Billy Brown, who died in 2021. His death marks a tragic chapter for a family known to millions of television viewers worldwide.
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