Content warning: This article mentions substance abuse and possible suicide.
The Wolfpack has lost one of their own.
Alaskan Bush People star Matt Brown was found dead in Washington's Okanogan River May 30, the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. He was 43 years old.
The sheriff’s office said a deceased body was located in the river by a "group of private citizens conducting a search."
"The individual was recovered and brought to shore, where he was positively identified as Matthew Brown," a press release shared by the sheriff’s office May 31 read. "Matthew Brown has been transferred into the custody of the Okanogan County Coroner. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Coroner’s Office. The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to Mr. Brown’s family and loved ones during this difficult time."
In a video posted to TikTok May 31, Matt’s brother Bear Brown noted their brother Noah Brown was among the search party members who found the body.
"Noah was with them and helped them pull the body out of the water," Bear continued, "and Noah identified him."
Here is everything to know about Matt's sudden passing.
Who Was Matt Brown?
Matt Brown starred on the Discovery series Alaskan Bush People along with his parents Billy Brown and Ami Brown and siblings Bear Brown, Noah Brown, Joshua “Bam Bam” Brown, Gabe Brown, SnowBird “Bird” Brown and Rain Brown, who were lovingly referred to as “the wolfpack.” Premiering in 2014, the show followed the family as they lived remotely in the Alaskan wilderness.
How Did Matt Brown Die?
While an official cause of death has yet to be revealed, Bear noted it appears Matt died by suicide—noting that he'd "struggled for a long time."
"I didn’t think that he would hurt himself," the 38-year-old said on TikTok. "It does look as though the injury is self-inflicted."
How Was Matt Brown Found?
According to the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, the search for Matt began on May 27 after a 911 caller informed authorities "he had just spoken to a male sitting in the shallow water of the Okanogan River."
"The caller turned away from the man sitting in the river, heard a sound, turned back toward the man in the water and saw the man was face down in the water drifting away in the current," according to a May 28 press release from the sheriff’s office. “Law Enforcement, Fire and EMS responded to the location but were unable to locate the male in the river.”
A dayslong search involving canines, watercrafts, sonar and divers was launched, and authorities noted “a firearm was recovered from the water in the area where the male was last seen."
What Was Matt Brown's Relationship With His Family Before His Death?
There had been distance between Matt and his family members for quite some time. But in a 2021 Instagram video reshared by The Sun, he said he was able to "reconcile" with his dad Billy before the patriarch passed away following a seizure that year.
And in a 2024 TikTok, Bear gave an update on where the Brown family stood with Matt.
"Everything with Matt is a very painful thing," Bear explained "It’s not something that I want to talk about. It’s not something that I want to address. I would say this though: Matt is doing good. He’s doing much better than he was doing, and he doesn’t want to associate with the family these days."
Despite this estrangement, Matt’s family has many fond memories of him.
"Matt was intelligent, curious, creative, and endlessly fascinated by the world around him," the Browns said in a statement to Us Weekly. "He was a gifted outdoorsman who felt most at home on the water, in the wilderness, or sharing what he had learned with others. He was an accomplished fisherman, an experienced boatman, and served as the radar operator on our family’s vessels. He loved adventure and never stopped exploring new ideas."
The family said Matt had an “extraordinary mind,” talent as an artist and deep care for people. “Those who truly knew Matt knew his heart,” they added. “He was compassionate, generous with his time, and deeply wanted to help others.”
What Has Matt Brown's Family Shared About His Sobriety Journey?
While Alaskan Bush People ran until 2022, Matt last appeared on the show in 2018—when he returned to treatment to seek help for his mental health and alcohol use after a previous stay in 2016.
Over the years, there were "rehabilitation programs, interventions, treatment efforts," the family shared with Us Weekly, "and countless attempts to support his recovery." Matt also posted videos of his sobriety journey on YouTube to help people facing similar challenges feel less alone.
“In recent months, as Matt publicly shared his pain and struggles,” his loved ones continued in their statement, “members of our family were actively trying to reconnect, offer support, and help him find his way back to stability and healing.”
And the Browns know many understand their struggles.
“Families facing these challenges often make difficult decisions, establish boundaries, and endure periods of separation while never losing their love for the person at the center of the struggle,” they noted. “Our family was no different.”
Ultimately, they encourage others fighting addiction or mental health battles to seek help.
“If there is one message we hope people take from Matt’s life, it is that no one should have to suffer alone,” they added in their statement. “If you are struggling with addiction, depression, or hopelessness, please reach out. Talk to someone. Ask for help. There is strength in seeking support, and there is always hope. Matthew’s life cannot be measured solely by how it ended. It should be measured by the people he encouraged, the adventures he lived, the knowledge he pursued, the beauty he created, and the love he shared with those around him.”
If you or someone you know needs help, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
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