Matt Brown, a prominent figure from the Discovery docudrama series “Alaskan Bush People,” has tragically passed away at the age of 43. His death was publicly confirmed by his brother, Bear Brown, in a TikTok video shared on Saturday night, bringing a somber update to fans and followers of the reality television family.

According to Bear's emotional announcement, Matt’s body was discovered in a nearby river just hours before the video was posted. Bear also indicated that the preliminary assessment suggested the cause of death was suicide. Bear recounted the difficult circumstances, stating, “They found a body in the river a few hours ago, and it was positively identified as being Matt. Noah [Brown] was with him and helped pull him out of the water, and Noah identified him.” This revelation has sent shockwaves through the community familiar with Matt's public struggles.

Expressing his disbelief and sorrow, Bear shared his personal struggle with the news. “I would have never suspected he would have hurt himself, honestly,” he admitted. While acknowledging Matt’s long-standing battles, Bear had anticipated a different outcome. “He struggled for a long time, as I’ve mentioned. I was so worried he was gonna end up OD’ed or something like that, I didn’t think that he would hurt himself. It does look as though the injury is self-inflicted. Obviously, the coroner still has to look at him and stuff, but I thought that y’all guys should know that it is him.” The official cause of death remains pending a full coroner's investigation.

Matt Brown was an integral part of “Alaskan Bush People” from its inception in 2014 until 2019, starring in 79 episodes across its first eight seasons. The series captivated audiences by chronicling the unconventional lives of the Brown family—Matt, his parents, and his six siblings—as they navigated the challenges of living off the grid in the Alaskan wilderness.

In the wake of this devastating news, Bear Brown made a heartfelt plea to the public for compassion and respect. He urged viewers, “please be respectful to my family and to my mom. And please, watch the comments that you leave, guys. Sometimes, words can hurt more than fists can.” He also highlighted a history of negative comments directed at Matt on social media, underscoring the family's vulnerability during this difficult time. The family now seeks privacy and understanding as they grieve the profound loss of Matt.