The search for former Discovery Channel reality star Matt Brown ended in heartbreak along the Okanogan River near Oroville, where his body was recovered and later identified by family members.
Brown, who appeared on nearly 80 episodes of Alaskan Bush People, was confirmed dead after his brother Bear Brown said relatives, including their brother Noah, helped pull the body from the water and make the identification. In a tearful TikTok update, Bear told followers, “They found a body in the river a few hours ago and it was positively identified as being Matt,” and said the family is waiting for official word from authorities, according to E! News.
Authorities say the Okanogan County coroner’s office has custody of the remains and will determine the official cause and manner of death.
A private search party located the body on Saturday, and responding officials turned it over to the county coroner, TMZ reports. Dispatch audio obtained by the outlet captured personnel saying a man was reported to have shot himself before entering the river, although investigators have not released any formal findings.
How the search unfolded
The recovery followed an intense search that began after a caller to Okanogan 911 reported a disturbing scene along the river. The caller said they had just spoken with a man sitting in shallow water south of Oroville, then looked away and later saw the same person face down and drifting in the current.
Deputies, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, divers, sonar teams, boats and a cadaver dog were brought in as crews combed an expanding stretch of the Okanogan. The coordinated search effort was ultimately suspended when rising water levels and dangerous currents made conditions too hazardous to continue, as outlined by Us Magazine.
Family reaction and background
In his video message, Bear Brown said the family had long been grappling with Matt’s struggles with alcohol and drug addiction and that Matt had recently gone through a painful breakup. Bear rejected claims that relatives had “shunned” Matt, saying instead that Matt chose to distance himself from the rest of the family.
Matt Brown was a central figure on Alaskan Bush People from 2014 to 2019, appearing in close to 80 episodes that chronicled the Brown family’s off-grid life. In recent months, however, some of his online activity frightened fans. One livestream, in which he appeared unclothed and incoherent while holding what looked like a weapon, left followers deeply alarmed, according to Cleveland.com.
What happens next
The Okanogan County coroner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. Officials have said they will not release the victim’s name until next of kin have been notified, even as family members have spoken publicly.
Authorities previously reported that a firearm was recovered near the spot where the man was last seen in the river, and investigators have shared only limited details as they work to piece together the timeline of events, according to reporting by TMZ.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or in crisis, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org. This story will be updated as officials release additional information.
