Insights into Personal Struggles
Bear Brown, known for his role on Alaskan Bush People, has recently opened up about the difficult circumstances surrounding his older brother, Matt Brown. In a video shared on TikTok on May 28, the 38-year-old revealed that his brother, 43, has been navigating a series of significant personal hardships.
According to Bear, Matt has faced long-standing challenges regarding substance abuse. «He has been struggling for a long time, you know, with alcohol and with drugs and stuff. He has other issues and stuff, too. He has done a lot of stuff that people like, don’t even know about,» Bear stated.
Recent Personal Setbacks
Reflecting on their last meeting, which took place at a Walmart, Bear noted that his brother appeared to be under significant emotional strain. Beyond his ongoing battles with addiction, Matt was reportedly coping with a painful end to a romantic relationship.
«He was going through like a really bad breakup, apparently,» Bear explained. «There was this girl that he really liked, and I guess they, like, broke up, and I guess he’d been drinking too much and stuff, and I don’t know all the details to it.»
Concerns Over Reported Disappearance
The family is currently dealing with uncertainty regarding Matt’s safety following reports of an incident in a river. While Bear noted that he could not definitively confirm the rumors, he acknowledged that the speculation circulating about his brother’s status was «likely» accurate.
The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office reportedly received an anonymous report regarding an individual seen in the shallow waters of the Okanogan River in Washington. The witness claimed to observe a man appearing to be face down in the water before being carried away by the current. Despite a search operation conducted by emergency responders, no discovery has been made to date.
Background
Both Bear and Matt Brown were featured cast members on the Discovery Channel series Alaskan Bush People, which ran from 2014 until 2022. Matt had previously stepped away from the reality television series in 2019.