Matt Brown’s – After Alaskan Bush People star Matt Brown was found dead in a Washington river over the weekend, his family is grappling with grief and shock—along with a complicated sense of relief tied to years of addiction struggles and strained relationships.
Matt Brown’s family is trying to hold two truths at once since his death over the weekend—grief that hurts, and a relief that feels just as complicated.
The Alaskan Bush People star was found dead in a Washington river, according to the report. He was 42 years old. Days earlier, his family had told the public they feared the worst. Their suspicion is that he died by suicide.
In the days since, family sources have described a swirl of emotions. On Tuesday, it was said they’re feeling everything from grief and shock to relief. That last emotion may land oddly with fans who only knew Matt through television, but it has been part of the background for years.
Matt’s long-running drug and alcohol addiction reportedly changed how life worked for the people closest to him. His brother, Bear Brown, revealed last week that Matt “had fallen off the wagon” again before his death.
The anxiety wasn’t theoretical. The reporting says his substance abuse issues caused ongoing worry in the family—especially about what would happen when he returned to their lives. As those fears grew, some Brown family members reportedly cut ties with Matt years ago. Gabe Brown was said to be the only relative who kept contact with him.
The sources also said some family members feel more relaxed now because they no longer have to wonder “when and where he will appear and strike next.” Even with that relief. they’re not described as lacking compassion. The insiders stressed the family had compassion for Matt’s struggles and the pain he suffered during addiction.
Still, the story that comes through is one of unpredictability. The reporting says his behavior was unpredictable and “scary” to his relatives, which is part of why relief has taken root alongside heartbreak.
The family is now left with grief and heartbreak over how things ended, carrying the weight of a loss that came after years of turmoil—while also wrestling with the fact that their lives were shaped by worry for so long.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, help is available. Consider contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, by calling, texting, or chatting, or go to 988lifeline.org. If you or someone you know is experiencing substance abuse, help is available. Consider checking out the resources SAMHSA provides at , or check out StartYourRecovery.org.
[Image via Noah Brown/Bear Brown/Matt Brown/Instagram]
Matt Brown Alaskan Bush People Bear Brown Noah Brown Gabe Brown tragic death Washington river suicide addiction reality TV