Matt Brown’s Tragic Passing and Struggles With Addiction

Matt Brown’s official cause of death has been determined as suicide. The Okanogan County coroner’s office reported that “subsequent immersion in water” and being “under the influence of methamphetamine” were contributing factors. Matt Brown was 42 years old.

His brother, Bear Brown, announced Matt’s death on social media. Authorities located Matt’s body in a Washington state river on Saturday. Bear expressed surprise at Matt’s actions, revealing that their brother Noah had identified the body.

“Matt Brown struggled with addiction for years,” Bear Brown stated. “They found a body in the river a few hours ago, and it was positively identified as being Matt.”

Matt Brown featured on “Alaskan Bush People” from 2014 to 2019. Bear Brown added, “It does look as though the injury is self-inflicted,” although further examination by the coroner’s office was pending.

Witnesses called the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office after observing a man in a shallow part of the river. The witness heard a noise and then saw the man face down in the water before he was swept away. A firearm was also found at the location.

Following Matt’s death, the Brown family issued a statement. “It is with broken hearts that we share the loss of our beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, Matthew Brown,” it began.

The statement described Matt Brown as “intelligent, curious, creative,” and an outdoorsman who loved adventure and nature. He was admired for sharing his struggles with addiction and mental health issues, offering hope to those facing similar challenges.

“Matt spent many years battling serious mental health challenges and addiction,” the statement continued. “Our dad, Billy Brown, never stopped believing in Matt’s ability to heal and find peace, and neither did we.” Billy Brown, Matt’s father, passed away in 2021.

Matt stepped away from the show “Alaskan Bush People” in 2019 due to his addiction struggles.