Matt Brown, the eldest son of the Brown family made famous through Discovery Channel’s long-running reality series Alaskan Bush People, died by suicide at the age of 42, according to findings released by Washington authorities days after his body was recovered from a river following a multi-day search.

The Okanogan County Coroner’s Office confirmed on June 3 that Brown’s death was ruled a suicide. Officials also determined that “subsequent immersion in water” and being “under the influence of methamphetamine” were contributing factors in the tragedy.

The findings provide a heartbreaking conclusion to a case that had already shaken fans of the reality television family and devastated relatives who spent years watching Brown battle addiction, mental health challenges, and periods of estrangement.

Brown’s body was recovered on May 30 after authorities and private search teams spent days searching the Okanogan River area in Washington State.

The search began after witnesses reported seeing a man in a shallow portion of the river before he disappeared into the fast-moving water.

Emergency responders launched an immediate rescue operation, but worsening conditions and rising river levels complicated efforts to locate him.

Authorities eventually suspended official search operations because of safety concerns.

Later that same day, however, a private search effort involving family members continued looking for Brown.

The search ended when a body was discovered in the river and subsequently identified as Matt Brown.

Among those present at the scene was Brown’s younger brother Noah, who reportedly helped recover his brother from the water.

The emotional task of assisting with the recovery added another layer of heartbreak for a family already grappling with years of uncertainty surrounding Matt’s struggles.

News of the discovery was first shared publicly by Brown’s brother Solomon Isaiah “Bear” Brown, who posted an emotional video on social media.

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

The 38-year-old admitted that despite his brother’s well-documented struggles, he never believed Matt would intentionally end his life.

“I would have never suspected he would have hurt himself, honestly,” Bear said.

He explained that his brother had fought addiction for years and that family members often worried he might die from an overdose.

“I worried he was going to end up, like, OD’d or something like that,” Bear said. “I didn’t think he would hurt himself.”

At the time of the recovery, Bear acknowledged that the family suspected the injury appeared self-inflicted, though they were waiting for official confirmation from investigators and the coroner’s office.

That confirmation arrived several days later when officials formally ruled the death a suicide.

The tragedy marks the latest painful chapter in the life of a man who grew up in the public eye and whose personal battles became increasingly visible over the years.

Matt Brown was one of the original stars of Alaskan Bush People, the Discovery Channel series that debuted in 2014 and followed the Brown family’s unconventional lifestyle in remote wilderness settings.

As the oldest of seven siblings, Brown initially emerged as one of the show’s most recognizable personalities.

Viewers watched him participate in the family’s off-grid adventures, survival projects, and efforts to build a life far from modern society.

However, behind the scenes, Brown faced challenges that would eventually pull him away from both the show and his family.

Over the years, he publicly discussed battles with addiction and entered treatment programs in attempts to maintain sobriety.

His struggles ultimately led to his departure from the television series and contributed to periods of separation from relatives.

Despite those difficulties, family members say they never stopped hoping he would find lasting recovery.

In a joint statement released by Bear Brown and brother Josh Brown following the discovery of Matt’s body, the family reflected on both his gifts and his struggles.

“It is with broken hearts that we share the loss of our beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, Matthew Brown,” the statement began.

The family emphasized that while millions of viewers knew him as a reality television personality, they knew him as much more.

They described Matt as intelligent, creative, curious, and endlessly fascinated by the world around him.

According to the statement, he possessed a deep love for nature and outdoor life, qualities that helped define his identity long before television cameras arrived.

Family members remembered him as a gifted fisherman, boatman, artist, and adventurer who was constantly eager to learn new things.

“When we think of Matt, we will remember the young man who loved the wilderness, could navigate rough waters, draw for hours, lose himself in learning, make us laugh unexpectedly, and dream bigger than most people ever dared,” the family said.

The statement also highlighted Brown’s efforts to help others during periods when he was sober and actively pursuing recovery.

Through social media videos and personal outreach, he often spoke openly about addiction and mental health issues.

According to relatives, he encouraged people facing similar battles to seek help and reminded them that recovery remained possible despite setbacks.

“Those who truly knew Matt knew his heart,” the family wrote. “He was compassionate, generous with his time, and deeply wanted to help others.”

At the same time, the Browns did not shy away from acknowledging the difficult realities of Matt’s life.

The family openly stated that he struggled with significant addiction and mental health challenges for many years.

They described a cycle familiar to countless families facing similar circumstances—periods of hope and recovery followed by relapses, setbacks, heartbreak, and attempts at reconciliation.

The family also referenced the influence of their late father, Billy Brown, who died in 2021 at age 68.

According to the statement, Billy never stopped believing that Matt could overcome his challenges and find peace.

Family members said they carried that same hope until the very end.

The Browns also addressed the complexity of remembering someone whose life included both accomplishments and painful mistakes.

“Matt was not without mistakes, struggles, and painful chapters,” they wrote.

“Some of those chapters caused hurt, and we do not minimize that.”

Still, they emphasized that no person should be defined solely by their worst moments.

Instead, they hope people remember the entirety of Matt’s life—the talented outdoorsman, the curious learner, the creative artist, the brother, and the son.

His death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans who followed the family’s journey for more than a decade.

Many have shared messages reflecting on Brown’s openness about addiction and mental health, noting that his willingness to discuss difficult subjects helped others feel less alone.

As relatives continue mourning their loss, they face the challenge of honoring a loved one whose life was filled with both remarkable strengths and profound struggles.

For the Brown family, the official findings may bring answers, but they do little to ease the pain of losing a son and brother whose battle lasted for years.

In the end, they say they will remember Matt not for the circumstances of his death, but for the person he was throughout his life—imperfect, deeply human, and deeply loved.