Bear Brown has spoken publicly about his brother Matt Brown’s long-running struggles amid growing concern over the Alaskan Bush People alum’s disappearance. In a TikTok video posted on Thursday, May 28, Bear, 38, said Matt, 43, had battled alcohol and drug problems for years and had also faced other personal difficulties that were not widely known. Bear said the two last saw each other at a Walmart, where they spoke briefly, and later had a phone call in which Matt admitted he had “fallen off the wagon.” Bear said he encouraged his brother to seek treatment again, noting that relapse can happen during recovery.
Bear also said Matt had been dealing with a painful breakup around that same time. According to Bear, Matt had been involved with a woman he liked very much, and the breakup may have contributed to increased drinking, though Bear said he did not know every detail. He stressed that he could not verify every part of the rumors surrounding Matt’s disappearance, but said the report that Matt was seen in a river was likely true.
Concerns about Matt’s safety escalated after witnesses reportedly said they saw a man floating in the Okanogan River in Washington. TMZ reported that the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous call on Wednesday about a man sitting in the shallow water before appearing face down and being swept away by the current. Emergency crews searched the area, but no body had been found at the time of the report.
A source close to the Brown family told Us Weekly that the family is uncertain about what happened and is waiting for confirmation from law enforcement. The source said relatives are in contact with police and are hoping the information is incorrect. The family has reportedly had challenges with Matt in the past, but they remain focused on finding out whether he is safe. The source also said Gabe Brown has been the family member most in contact with Matt.
Bear later criticized people posting hateful comments about his brother online, saying the situation is serious and not something being treated as rumor. Matt and Bear both rose to fame on Discovery’s Alaskan Bush People, which ran from 2014 to 2022. Matt left the series quietly in 2019. If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
