The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office in Washington announced that Matt Brown, of the Discovery Channel reality series Alaskan Bush People, died at the age of 43.

Matt had been missing since May 27, with the official search being suspended by law enforcement and first responders on May 30 due to severe weather.

“I never would have suspected that he would have hurt himself,” his younger brother, Bear Brown, said in a TikTok video shared on May 30. “He struggled for a long time.”

Alaskan Bush People Star Matt Brown Dies At 43

Locals Share Touching Tribute For “Alaskan Bush People” Star Matt Brown (Instagram/Matt Brown)

Bear shared the news on social media, saying that his brother appeared to have died from injuries that were “self-inflicted.” His body was recovered from the river on Saturday (May 30) after an extensive search. The sheriff’s department wrote that Brown was found by a group of private citizens who were searching for him. 

The Brown family later issued a statement about Matt’s death. Matt, who appeared on “Alaskan Bush People” from 2014 to 2019, stepped away from the show due to struggles with addiction.

According to the Okanogan County Coroner, Matt died by suicide, and the official cause of death is a “single penetrating gunshot wound to the head.”

The autopsy report also found that he was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of his death.

Locals Share Touching Tribute In Honor Of Matt Brown

Residents in Washington are paying tribute to late Alaskan Bush People star by creating a heartfelt memorial near the site connected to his final days.

According to reports, locals have been leaving flowers and tributes near his abandoned truck, with some residents even purchasing flowers specifically to place at the memorial site. The display includes a banner featuring Matt’s image and has become a gathering place for fans and community members who want to honor his memory.

One Reddit user posted an image of the tribute in an Alaskan Bush People devoted thread.

“People are calling Frontier Foods which is across the street. Buying flowers and the manger puts them on the truck. This is amazing and beautiful yet so sad,” the description read below the image.

Locals Honor Matt Brown At His Abandoned Truck (Photo Credit: Reddit/Healthy_Meal_3223)

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.