Bear Brown Opens Up About Matt's Struggles Before Disappearance

In a candid TikTok video posted Thursday, May 28, Bear Brown broke his silence about his brother Matt Brown’s personal battles, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the *Alaskan Bush People* alum’s disappearance. The revelation comes amid grave concerns for Matt’s safety after witnesses reported seeing a man in the waters of the Okanogan River in Washington.

Bear, 38, didn’t hold back when describing what Matt, 43, had been facing. According to Bear, his brother had struggled with alcohol and drug use for an extended period, dealing with multiple personal crises simultaneously. The most recent turning point came when Matt confessed to Bear that he’d relapsed—a call Bear describes as their last conversation. In that moment, Bear encouraged his brother to get back on track, reminding him that setbacks were survivable and that rehab was always an option. But there was more weighing on Matt than just substance abuse. A relationship breakdown had pushed him deeper into despair, with Bear explaining that Matt was heavily drinking following the end of a romantic connection that had clearly mattered to him.

The timeline becomes crucial here. Bear’s account paints a picture of compounding pressures: the ongoing battle with addiction, a freshly broken heart, and apparently other undisclosed struggles that even Bear acknowledged knowing only partial details about. When an anonymous caller reported spotting a man face-down in the shallow waters of the Okanogan River on Wednesday, the family’s fears escalated. Emergency responders launched a search, but no body has been recovered.

What makes Bear’s public statement significant is its honesty about the complexity of Matt’s situation. This isn’t a simple narrative of addiction—it’s a portrait of someone juggling multiple demons at once. A source close to the Brown family told *Us Weekly* that the family remains uncertain about what’s actually happened, expressing hope that Matt is safe while simultaneously cooperating with police. The family has also been fragmented in its response; another brother, Gabe, has reportedly been Matt’s most consistent contact through this crisis.

Matt appeared on the Discovery series *Alaskan Bush People* from its 2014 premiere through his quiet exit in 2019. That departure itself speaks to a larger narrative of struggle that apparently extended far beyond his time on camera. Right now, the family—and the public—are left waiting for answers about where Matt is and whether the river sighting holds truth.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).