The search for former Alaskan Bush People cast member Matt Brown has taken a troubling new turn after a relative reportedly spotted the former reality star near a Washington river just hours before authorities began searching for an unidentified man who was swept away by the current.
A Brown family member told TMZ they saw Matt Brown near the Driscoll Island Wildlife Area outside Oroville, Washington, on Wednesday morning, May 27. The location is less than a mile from where a witness later reported seeing a man in the Okanogan River before the man disappeared. Authorities have not publicly identified the missing individual, and no body has been recovered.
The development comes amid growing concern within Brown’s family, particularly from his brother, Bear Brown, who addressed the situation in an emotional video posted on social media. Bear said he had been informed that Matt may have died, but stressed that he could not independently verify those reports.
"I can't confirm that that's true," Bear said, explaining that witnesses had allegedly seen Matt near a river before authorities were alerted.
Matt Brown became a familiar face to Discovery Channel and, later TLC, viewers as one of the original stars of Alaskan Bush People, the long-running reality series that followed the Brown family’s unconventional lifestyle in remote areas of Alaska and later Washington state.
As the eldest son of the late family patriarch, Billy Brown, and Ami Brown, Matt appeared prominently during the show's early years before stepping away from the series. The program ran for 14 seasons before ending in 2022.
Bear's video also revealed details about one of his last conversations with his brother. According to Bear, Matt had recently admitted he had relapsed after previously battling alcohol addiction.
"He said that he had fallen off the wagon," Bear recalled. "I was like, 'Well, get back on it, man. Everybody falls off. Just get back on it.'"
Bear said that the conversation was the last time the brothers spoke.
The latest reports follow a series of public struggles that Matt Brown has openly discussed in recent years. Earlier this month, he posted a video describing a night spent sleeping in a cemetery because he felt it was the safest place available.
In the clip, he reassured viewers that he was doing well emotionally and thanked supporters for their encouragement.
Brown previously entered treatment for alcohol addiction in 2019 after leaving Alaskan Bush People.
Meanwhile, the Okanogan County Sheriff's Office confirmed that emergency crews responded after a 911 caller reported seeing a man sitting in shallow water along the Okanogan River. The caller later reported seeing the individual face down in the water before the current carried him away.
Search efforts involving law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency responders have so far failed to locate the missing person, with additional searches expected when weather conditions improve.
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, struggling with substance abuse, or having thoughts of self-harm, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any time, day or night.
