Matt Brown, 'Alaskan Bush People’ star, dies by suicide, cops launch probe as family mourns; here's what we know so far

Matt Brown Death News: Matt Brown, the reality star who appeared in nearly 80 episodes of “Alaskan Bush People,” has died by suicide, his brother Bear Brown confirmed. He was 43 years old. In a TikTok post on Saturday (May 30, 2026), Bear Brown shared the news saying he never imagined his brother would harm himself and urging people to be respectful and kind as the family grieves.

TMZ obtained dispatch audio from the initial search for Matt Brown’s body, in which responding personnel noted that his backpack had been found while his gun was believed to be in the water, and his body was not with it. Authorities also ordered a search boat and dive team to assist in the effort.

Brown, who appeared in 79 episodes of Alaskan Bush People from 2014 to 2019, sparked concern online in May when he streamed himself on YouTube. During the broadcast, he rambled incoherently while wandering through a town in Washington state, appeared nude and possibly intoxicated, and at one point held what looked like a gun.


Family sources told TMZ that most of the members of the Brown family cut ties with Matt about five years ago, explaining they could no longer support him amid his ongoing addiction struggles. Gabe Brown, one of his siblings, was the only family member who continued to communicate with Matt, though those conversations were described as rare and infrequent.

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