Matt Brown, known for his role on the reality TV series Alaskan Bush People, died by suicide, according to an autopsy conducted by the Okanogan County Coroner in Washington. The 43-year-old's body was found in a river on Saturday, May 30.
The autopsy report noted that contributing circumstances included subsequent immersion in water and that he was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of death.
Emergency services were called on Wednesday, May 27, after a witness reported seeing a man sitting in shallow water near the river south of Oroville. The witness looked away briefly and then saw the man face down in the water, being carried away by the current. A search operation was launched but the individual was not immediately located.
Matt's brother Bear confirmed the death in a video on Saturday, stating that a body had been found and positively identified as Matt. He expressed shock, saying he had not suspected Matt would harm himself. The family later released a statement describing Matt as intelligent, curious, and creative, and acknowledging his long battles with mental health challenges and addiction.
