Alaskan Bush People star Bear Brown shared on TikTok that his brother and fellow cast member Matt Brown is likely dead by suicide after witnesses said they saw him near a river and floating downstream. Bear said he cannot confirm it’s 100% true, that investiga
On Friday, Bear Brown posted “really bad news” to TikTok with a shaky voice and a warning that he still couldn’t confirm everything with certainty.
He told viewers that his older brother and fellow Alaskan Bush People star. Matt Brown. is likely dead by suicide after being seen near a river late the night before. Bear said he was informed of the situation after witnesses reported that Matt was seen close to a river and then “took his own life. ” and that they saw him floating down the river.
“I wanted to start out by saying that I can’t confirm that it’s a hundred percent true right now, but it is what I’m hearing,” Bear said in the video. He added that investigators have been scouring the scene but that they haven’t found a body.
Bear also offered a glimpse of their last days together. Before he left for Florida. he said he ran into Matt in Walmart and spoke with him for a few minutes. Bear said Matt later called him. telling him he had “fallen off the wagon.” Bear urged him to get back on track. suggested rehab if needed. and told him that everyone slips—then said the call was the last time he spoke with him.
He described Matt as someone who had struggled with alcohol and drugs for a long time and had estranged himself from the family.
In the same video, Bear said he believed Matt was going through “a really bad breakup” with a woman Matt cared about, and he emphasized that he never thought the 43-year-old was suicidal.
Near the end of the post, Bear turned to the way strangers were responding online. He asked fans to be respectful of his family. especially his mother. Ami Brown. saying she “cares very much for Matt and always has and has been through a lot for him — a lot.” Bear asked people not to attack her. and he signed off with “God bless.”.
In a follow-up TikTok video, Bear pushed back against what he called “negative, nasty” comments. He said recent social media posts made in Matt’s name are not authentic. He also said the person reportedly spotted near the river was “99 percent” likely to be Matt.
For anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts—or anyone worried about someone else—Bear’s post comes alongside a reminder shared in the update: the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by texting or dialing 988. If there is immediate danger, call 911.
Bear Brown Matt Brown Alaskan Bush People TikTok suicide river sighting Ami Brown substance abuse 988