The Okanogan County Coroner’s Office has confirmed that Matt Brown, known for appearing in Discovery’s Alaskan Bush People, died by suicide. An autopsy revealed that Brown died from a single penetrating gunshot wound to the head, with contributing circumstances including immersion in water and methamphetamine use.
Brown’s body was discovered on 31 May in a river south of Oroville, Washington. He was 43 years old. His brother Bear Brown announced the news in a TikTok video, stating that their brother Noah helped pull Matt’s body from the water and identified him.
Bear Brown expressed shock, saying he never suspected Matt would harm himself, though he had long struggled with drugs and alcohol. The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office reported that a 911 caller saw a man sitting in shallow water, then heard a sound and saw him face down drifting away. A firearm was recovered from the water.
Bear Brown urged the public to be respectful and mindful of negative comments, noting that Matt had spoken about online negativity in his final videos. Matt Brown appeared on the show from 2014 to 2019, the eldest child of Billy and Ami Brown. Billy Brown died in 2021.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
