Reality TV star Matt Brown, best known for appearing on Discovery Channel’s Alaskan Bush People, has died at the age of 43, according to his family.

His brother, Bear Brown, confirmed the heartbreaking news in an emotional TikTok video after authorities recovered a body from the Okanogan River in Washington state.

Earlier this week, the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office released a statement revealing that a 911 caller had reported seeing “a male sitting in the shallow water” near the Okanogan River south of Oroville. Moments later, the witness allegedly saw the man face down in the water as he drifted away in the current.

Emergency crews, including police and firefighters, launched an extensive search operation in the area but initially failed to recover a body.

Concern grew after Matt had reportedly not been heard from for several days, prompting Bear Brown to speak publicly about the situation online.

In a tearful update shared Saturday evening, Bear confirmed the devastating outcome.

“They found a body in the river a few hours ago and it was positively identified as being Matt,” he said.

Bear also revealed that their younger brother, Noah Brown, was the first family member to spot the body farther downstream.

“Noah helped them pull the body out of the water and Noah identified [Matt],” Bear explained.

Authorities have not yet released an official cause of death, and an autopsy is still pending.

The sheriff’s office also confirmed that a firearm had been recovered near the area where the missing man was first reported.

During his video, Bear spoke candidly about Matt’s struggles in recent years, saying his older brother had battled alcohol and drug addiction, along with other personal issues that had largely remained private.

Matt Brown was one of the original stars of Alaskan Bush People, the long-running Discovery Channel reality series that followed the Brown family’s off-grid lifestyle in the Alaskan wilderness. The show aired for 14 seasons, with Matt appearing in nearly 80 episodes before the series ended in 2022.

Over the years, reports suggested Matt had become estranged from several members of the family amid his ongoing personal struggles.

Source: The Sun