As previously reported, Alaskan Bush People star Matt Brown was found dead in a Washington river over the weekend, just days after his family publicly expressed fears that the worst had already happened. Authorities and family members have indicated they suspect he may have died by suicide. He was 42 years old.

The news has left his loved ones devastated, with family sources telling TMZ that emotions within the Brown family are complex and deeply conflicting, ranging from grief and shock to, unexpectedly, a sense of relief.

According to the insiders, that reaction is tied to Matt’s long history of serious struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, which had significantly strained his relationships with family members over the years.

His brother Bear Brown previously shared that Matt had recently “fallen off the wagon” again before his death, highlighting ongoing concerns about his recovery.

Family strain and years of distance

Sources close to the family say Matt’s substance abuse issues created ongoing anxiety for relatives, who often feared unpredictable situations when he re-entered their lives. Over time, most of the Brown family reportedly distanced themselves from him, no longer feeling able to maintain regular contact while supporting his struggles.

According to the report, Gabe Brown was the only sibling who is said to have remained in consistent contact with Matt.

Insiders explained that some family members now feel a complicated sense of relief, not because of a lack of care, but because they no longer live with the constant fear of “when and where he might appear” or what condition he would be in during periods of instability.

Grief mixed with compassion and heartbreak

Despite those feelings, sources emphasized that the Brown family still has deep compassion for Matt and the struggles he endured throughout his life. They described his addiction as something that caused immense pain not only for him but for everyone close to him.

Even with the reported distance in recent years, family members are said to be grieving heavily and processing the tragic way his life ended.

Insiders stressed that while parts of the family dynamic were difficult and at times frightening, there is still profound sadness over his passing and what could not be changed.

Ongoing mourning

Matt Brown’s death has prompted an outpouring of reactions from fans of the long-running series, many of whom remember his early appearances on Alaskan Bush People and his openness about personal struggles.

The situation remains deeply emotional for the Brown family as they continue to process both the loss and the complicated history that led to this point.

Support resources remain available for anyone struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org.