Matt Brown’s stepsister is speaking out following his heartbreaking death, sharing an emotional tribute while also expressing frustration over what she described as “self-serving” reactions appearing online in the days since he passed away.

On Wednesday, Twila Byars posted a short but emotional message honoring Matt alongside a collection of photos showing the two together through the years.

In her post, Byars explained why she did not feel ready to publicly share more memories at this time.

“I want to pay tribute to my little brother and his life but the self-serving feeling is a bit much for me,” she wrote. “So this will be the last of them for now.”

She ended the message with a simple farewell: “Rest in Peace little Brother.”

Matt, who appeared alongside his family on Alaskan Bush People, was found dead on May 30 at the age of 42 after going missing several days earlier. According to early statements from family members, they feared the worst during the search and believed Matt may have taken his own life following years of struggles involving addiction, mental health challenges, and estrangement from relatives.

Authorities in Washington later released details connected to the case after a 911 caller reported hearing a sound before spotting a man floating face down in the river and drifting with the current.

While officials have not yet publicly announced an official cause of death, Matt’s brother Bear Brown previously said the reality star appeared to have suffered what looked like a self-inflicted injury.

 

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A post shared by Twila Byars (@twilabyars)

Confirming the devastating news, Bear told followers that a body recovered from the river had been positively identified as Matt. He admitted he never imagined his brother would intentionally hurt himself, saying he had long worried more about the possibility of an overdose because of Matt’s past substance abuse struggles. Bear added that investigators and the coroner were still reviewing the circumstances surrounding the death.

Earlier this week, the Brown family released a public statement remembering Matt for far more than his personal battles. They described him as a talented outdoorsman, fisherman, boatman, artist, and someone who deeply wanted to help other people.

The family also spoke openly about the years Matt spent battling addiction and severe mental health struggles, acknowledging the difficult journey they experienced together through periods of recovery, setbacks, hope, heartbreak, and reconciliation. They shared that their late father, Billy Brown, always believed Matt could eventually heal and find peace.

Matt first rose to fame alongside his parents and siblings on Alaskan Bush People, the Discovery Channel series that followed the family’s unconventional off-grid lifestyle in the wilderness of Alaska and later Washington. He remained on the show from its 2014 debut until leaving in 2019. The series ultimately aired for 14 seasons before ending in 2022.

After stepping away from reality television, Matt mostly stayed out of the spotlight while occasionally updating supporters through social media and YouTube videos.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, emotional distress, or substance use issues, help is available by calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org.

Source: Entertainment Weekly