Matt Brown, star of Discovery Channel’s Alaskan Bush People, has died at the age of 43. His brother confirmed the tragic news after discovering Matt’s body in the Okanogan River south of Oroville, Washington, earlier this week.
According to a press release from the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, a 911 caller initially reported seeing “a male sitting in the shallow water” before later observing the man “face down in the water drifting away in the current.” Emergency responders, including police and firefighters, launched a search operation immediately but were unable to locate the body.
Discovery of the Body
Bear Brown, Matt’s brother, alerted fans online after not hearing from Matt for several days. In an emotional TikTok on Saturday evening, Bear confirmed that Matt’s body had been recovered:
“They found a body in the river a few hours ago and it was positively identified as being Matt.”
Bear revealed that their younger brother, Noah Brown, was the first to see the body further downstream.
“Noah helped them pull the body out of the water and Noah identified [Matt],” Bear said.
Investigation and Circumstances
An autopsy has yet to be conducted. The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office reported that a firearm was found near the location where Matt first went missing. Authorities have not released further details about the cause of death.
Bear also shared in his video that Matt had been struggling with alcohol and drug addiction, along with “other issues” he had kept private from the public in recent years.
Matt Brown and Alaskan Bush People
Matt Brown was among the original cast members of Alaskan Bush People, a reality series documenting the Brown family’s off-grid life in the Alaskan wilderness. The series ran for 14 seasons, with Matt appearing in nearly 80 episodes before the show concluded in 2022.
Reports indicate that communication between Matt and several family members had broken down in recent years, adding context to the tragedy. Fans and the reality TV community have expressed shock and grief at the loss of one of the show’s most recognized figures.
Summary Table of Key Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Deceased | Matt Brown, 43 |
| Location | Okanogan River, south of Oroville, Washington |
| Date Found | Earlier in the week; publicly confirmed Saturday |
| Discoverer | Body first spotted by brother Noah Brown; confirmed by Bear Brown |
| Cause of Death | Pending autopsy |
| Items Found | Firearm near the river |
| Personal Struggles | Alcohol and drug addiction, private personal issues |
| Career | Star of Alaskan Bush People, 14 seasons, nearly 80 episodes |
| Family Notes | Reports of communication breakdowns with several family members |
Matt Brown, beloved for his role in Alaskan Bush People, was found dead in the Okanogan River at 43. His death highlights ongoing struggles with addiction and personal challenges that he had kept private.
While the circumstances surrounding his passing are still under investigation, his family and fans mourn the loss of a reality TV icon who helped bring the story of the Brown family’s wilderness life into millions of homes.
