Noah Brown is opening up about the days after the death of his brother, Matt Brown, as the family waits for answers following the discovery of Matt’s body in the Okanogan River in Washington state. Noah, 33, said Matt was found in the river and that he personally identified his brother at the scene. He explained that a small search team located the body and moved it to shore before the coroner arrived. According to Noah, the family is now waiting for the official findings, including the autopsy and the coroner’s report, before making decisions about next steps.
Matt Brown was found dead at age 43 on Saturday, May 30, after police searched for an unidentified man seen floating in the river. Noah described the Okanogan River as rough and treacherous, saying the exact circumstances remain unclear. He noted that authorities have not released a formal statement about the details of what happened, and the coroner has not yet announced the cause of death.
Matt’s brother Bear Brown confirmed the death on TikTok, saying Noah was present when the body was recovered and that Noah identified Matt. Bear also said an autopsy had not yet been completed, though he speculated the death may have been self-inflicted. The family later released a statement expressing deep grief over the loss of Matt, who was known to viewers as one of the original stars of the Discovery Channel reality series Alaskan Bush People, which ran from 2014 to 2022.
In their statement, the Browns remembered Matt as intelligent, curious, creative, and deeply connected to the outdoors. They described him as a skilled fisherman, an experienced boatman, and the family’s radar operator on their vessels. The statement said he loved adventure, exploring new ideas, and sharing what he learned with others. The family also said Matt had struggled for many years with serious mental health challenges and addiction.
The Browns used the statement to encourage others facing similar struggles to seek help and not suffer alone. They stressed that Matt’s life should be remembered not only by the way it ended, but by the people he inspired, the knowledge he pursued, the experiences he had, and the love he gave to those around him. The family said it is trying to focus on the positive during this painful time as it continues to grieve and wait for official answers.
