Authorities in Washington state have suspended the search in the Okanogan River for a man believed by family members to be Matt Brown, known from Alaskan Bush People, after worsening weather and river conditions made continued efforts dangerous. The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office said deputies and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife agents searched the area through Friday, May 29, 2026, using boats, personal watercraft, sonar, divers, and a canine trained to detect human remains. They also used tools to drag the river bottom, but no sign of the man was found. Officials said the river level and current increased after rainfall, reducing the chances of locating someone who may have been carried downstream and forcing the operation to be halted until further notice.
The sheriff’s office said the identity of the man has not been confirmed and will not be released publicly until next of kin are notified. The case began after a call on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, reporting a man sitting in shallow water in the Okanogan River. According to the report, the caller looked away briefly and then saw the man lying face down in the river and being swept away by the current. Authorities said the man was reported as deceased, but they have not confirmed his identity.
Matt Brown’s brother, Bear Brown, addressed the situation on TikTok on Thursday, May 28, and again on Friday, May 29, saying the family was hearing that Matt may have been the person seen in the river. Bear said he could not confirm the information as fully true, but said it was what he had been told. He also claimed Matt had long struggled with alcohol and drugs, along with other personal problems. Bear later responded to comments online as the family faced growing concern and speculation about Matt’s condition.
A source close to the family told Us Weekly that relatives were unsure what to believe and were still hoping the reports were wrong. The source said the family remained in contact with police and was waiting for more information. Family members were reportedly concerned because of Matt’s history of personal issues, and Gabe Brown has been the relative most in touch with him recently.
As of Saturday, May 30, 2026, officials said the search remained suspended because of dangerous river conditions and pending new information. The sheriff’s office emphasized that there were no signs of the man despite extensive search operations.
