Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Alaskan Bush People star Matt Brown’s cause of death has been confirmed as suicide, after his brother Noah discovered his body in a river on May 30.
The Brown family shared the heartbreaking news on Saturday evening (May 30), speaking openly about the difficulties Matt had experienced in recent years.
Noah, Matt’s younger brother, was the one who first found him and called emergency services. He was later asked to formally identify the body.
Speaking to followers on Instagram, he said: “We hauled him up off the bank, and then, after the sheriffs got there and everything, the coroner did his thing, and I went down to identify that it was him. It’s definitely Matthew.
“I would have never suspected he would have hurt himself, honestly. He struggled for a long time, as I’ve mentioned, and I was so worried.”
The 33-year-old added: “Say your prayers and tell people that you love that you love them while you can. God bless.”
On June 3, the Okanogan County coroner’s office stated that Matt’s death was the result of suicide.
On Sunday (May 31), Bear and Josh issued a message on behalf of the family, remembering Matt as an “intelligent, curious, creative, and endlessly fascinated” person.
They added: “He was a gifted outdoorsman, fisherman, boatman, artist, and lifelong learner. He loved adventure, nature, and discovering new things. Matt had an extraordinary mind.”
Noah also spoke about the moments before his brother’s death, saying he had seen Matt the day prior.
“I actually saw him the day before, just in one of those, like, driving by, wave-type situations,” he said.
The star added: “I wish I had more time when I drove past. It was stopped, but … it is what it is.”
The Discovery Channel series, filmed in a docudrama style, followed Billy and Ami Brown as they lived off the land in Alaska’s remote wilderness before relocating with their seven children — Matt, Noah, Joshua, Bear, Gabe, Bird, and Rain — to Washington state.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.