Search efforts for “Alaskan Bush People” star Matt Brown have been suspended in Washington state after severe weather and dangerous river conditions made further operations unsafe, according to the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said on Saturday that they halted the search in the Okanogan River, where an unidentified man was reported missing, because recent rainfall had raised water levels and created strong currents. Authorities said the conditions were too hazardous for continued efforts and that they no longer expected the person to be found in that specific area of the river.
The search had included personnel from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with divers and cadaver dogs, who searched the river on Friday but did not locate anyone. The sheriff’s office said it now hopes to gather more information that could help narrow the search area.
The developments came after Brown’s brother, Bear Brown, posted a video on TikTok on Thursday saying he had been told Matt, 43, “took his own life.” Bear said he could not confirm the report, but claimed witnesses told him the man seen in the river appeared to be Matt. He said people had reported seeing someone floating down the river and that officers were called to the scene. Bear added that many people believed the missing man was indeed Matt.
In the video, Bear also spoke about his brother’s long struggle with alcohol and drug use, saying Matt had been dealing with substance abuse for years. He said the brothers had not been close recently, but recalled speaking with Matt after running into him at Walmart some time ago. According to Bear, Matt told him he had “fallen off the wagon,” and Bear encouraged him to return to rehab if needed.
Bear also said he had heard that Matt was going through a difficult breakup and drinking heavily. Meanwhile, reports said another brother, Gabe Brown, was seen speaking with officers during the search. Gabe is one of the few family members who remains in contact with Matt.
Before Bear’s social media comments, the sheriff’s office said a 911 caller reported seeing a man sitting in shallow water in the Okanogan River on Wednesday. The caller said they turned away, heard a sound, looked back, and saw the man facedown in the water drifting with the current. Authorities later recovered a gun from the area where the individual was last seen.
The situation follows a troubling livestream Brown posted last week on YouTube, in which he appeared nude, seemed to be under the influence, and was holding what looked like a gun. The incident has raised concern among fans and family members as officials continue to investigate what happened in the river.
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