Fans mourn Matt Brown as authorities release major update in river death investigation

Fans of Alaskan Bush People are mourning the loss of former cast member Matt Brown after officials released new details surrounding the investigation into his death in Washington state.

Brown, who had publicly documented years of struggles with addiction and recovery, was found dead in the Okanogan River area following a multi-day search that began after a 911 witness report on May 27 near Oroville, Washington.

Search began after disturbing 911 witness account

Authorities said the initial emergency call came from a witness who reported seeing a man sitting in shallow water along the Okanogan River.

The caller briefly looked away before hearing a sound and turning back to see the man face down in the water and drifting with the current.

Search crews immediately responded to the scene, deploying boats, divers, sonar equipment, and K-9 units, but were initially unable to locate him despite extensive efforts over several days.

Concern grew as the missing man was later believed to be Brown, prompting renewed attention from fans and family members.

Family members share emotional updates

Brown’s brother, Solomon Isaiah “Bear” Brown, shared updates on social media as the search continued, expressing growing fear over what was unfolding.

He later confirmed the devastating outcome in an emotional video message.

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

He also revealed that their younger brother, Noah Brown, was actively involved in the search efforts.

“Noah was with them and helped them pull the body out of the water,” Bear explained. “Noah identified him.”

Noah later described assisting search teams over several days before personally confirming the discovery.

“For the past couple of days, I’ve been working with search and rescue groups trying to locate the body,” he said. “Today at 3:27, the group I was working with located the missing body and I identified it as Matthew.”

He added simply: “My oldest brother, Matthew Brown, has passed away.”

Years of struggle and attempts at recovery

Brown became widely known after joining Alaskan Bush People in 2014, remaining on the show until 2019.

Throughout his time in the public eye, he openly discussed battles with alcohol addiction and multiple stints in rehabilitation programs.

In earlier interviews, Brown admitted that his drinking escalated over time before he recognized it as a serious problem.

“I started drinking lightly and then it got to be more and more,” he once said. “That’s when I saw the problem around the corner.”

After entering treatment, he frequently spoke online about sobriety, mental health, and personal recovery efforts.

His family later confirmed that his journey included years of interventions, treatment attempts, and ongoing support efforts that were often difficult but persistent.

Bear Brown also revealed he had recently spoken with Matt and learned he had relapsed shortly before his disappearance.

“He called me after that and said he had fallen off the wagon,” Bear said. “I told him, just get back on it. Everybody falls off sometimes.”

Authorities confirm how Matt Brown was found

Officials from the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a major update, stating that Brown was not initially located by law enforcement.

Instead, according to reports cited by The Hollywood Reporter, a group of private citizens searching along the river on May 30 discovered a body in the water.

“The individual was recovered and brought to shore, where he was positively identified as Matthew Brown,” the sheriff’s office said.

Authorities confirmed the body was later transferred to the Okanogan County Coroner’s Office for further examination. However, they emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and the official cause and manner of death have not yet been determined.

Final messages and ongoing investigation

In the days following his death, fans revisited Brown’s social media posts, including a 2024 video in which he spoke about recovery and coping strategies.

He encouraged viewers to stay grounded and keep working through difficulties using counseling tools and personal reflection methods.

“Never give up, never surrender,” he said in one of his final widely shared messages.

The Brown family has asked the public to remember him beyond his struggles, describing him as creative, intelligent, and deeply caring.

“The people who truly knew Matt knew his heart,” the family said. “He was generous, thoughtful, and wanted to help others.”

Authorities have confirmed that no further details will be released while the investigation remains active.