😱 “They stole my money and destroyed my life.” That’s what Matt Brown said for years.

Matt Brown was one of seven siblings who grew up sharing their unique lifestyle on Discovery Channel’s Alaskan Bush People.

The reality star was born to parents Billy and Ami Brown. Matt, his six siblings and their parents rose to fame on the reality series, which followed the family’s unconventional lifestyle in the wilderness. However, Matt left the show in 2019 and became estranged from the rest of his family.

On May 30, his brother, Solomon Isaiah “Bear” Brown confirmed in an Instagram post that Matt died at 42 years old. One day later, Bear and his brother Josh shared a statement on behalf of their family.

“To millions of viewers, Matt was known as one of the original stars of Alaskan Bush People. To us, he was so much more,” the statement read, going on to acknowledge how he “openly shared his struggles with addiction and mental health” over the years.

“He encouraged others to seek help, offered hope to people fighting similar battles, and reminded them they were not alone,” their statement continued. “We are incredibly proud of the lives he touched.”

Here’s everything to know about Alaskan Bush People star Matt Brown’s family.

He was the eldest of six siblings

Matt was the eldest of Billy and Ami’s seven children: brothers Joshua “Bam Bam” Brown, Solomon Isaiah “Bear” Brown, Gabriel “Gabe” Brown and Noah Brown, and sisters Amora Jean “Bird” Brown and Merry Christmas Kathryn Raindrop “Rain” Brown.

Several of the siblings have started families of their own. Ami shared on Instagram in February 2026 that Rain is expecting a child, marking what will be the matriarch’s 11th grandchild.

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They appeared on Alaskan Bush People together

Members of the Brown family on ‘Alaskan Bush People’.Discovery

The Brown family starred on the Discovery reality series, Alaskan Bush People, together beginning in 2014.

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While the show ended in 2022, Matt stepped away in 2019 amid his public struggles with addiction. He also became estranged from his family.

Though he shared updates with fans through YouTube and social media, Matt largely stepped outside of the spotlight in comparison to the other Brown family members.

His dad died in 2021

Billy Brown.Discovery

In February 2021, Billy died after suffering a seizure at 68 years old, Bear wrote on Instagram at the time.

“He was our best friend — a wonderful and loving dad, granddad and husband and he will be dearly missed,” he wrote. “He lived his life on his terms, off the grid and off the land and taught us to live like that as well.”

Bear added, “We plan to honor his legacy going forward and to continue with his dream.”

His brother Noah was there when Matt’s body was found

Matt Brown.Matt Brown/Instagram

Before Matt’s body was found on May 30, his youngest brother Noah spent days looking for him.

Once his death was confirmed by Bear, Noah shared an Instagram video of his own recounting what happened to his brother, and sharing that he was there when his body was found.

“It’s late, and I have some bad news. … It’s been a long day,” Noah said. “For the past couple days, I’ve been working with search and rescue groups trying to locate the body. And today, the group that I was working with located the missing body, and I identified it as Matthew.”

Bear had previously said their family believed Matt, who has struggled with substance abuse over the years, might have taken his own life. However, it has not been confirmed.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.