Search for a former reality show participant «Alaskan Wilderness» Matt Brown's life took a disturbing turn after a relative reportedly spotted the former reality TV star near a river in Washington state just hours before authorities began searching for an unidentified man who was swept away by the current.
A member of Brown's family said TMZ , who saw Matt Brown near the Driscoll Island Wildlife Refuge near Oroville, Washington, on Wednesday morning, May 27. This location is less than a mile from where a witness later reported seeing the man in the Okanogan River before his disappearance. Authorities have not yet released the missing man's identity, and his body has not been found.
These events unfold amid growing concern within the Brown family, particularly from his brother, Bear Brown, who commented on the situation in an emotional video posted on social media. Bear said he had been informed of Matt's possible death but emphasized that he could not independently confirm these reports.
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«"I can't confirm that that's true," Bear said, explaining that witnesses allegedly saw Matt near the river before authorities were alerted.
Matt Brown became well known to Discovery Channel and later TLC viewers as one of the original stars of the reality show Alaskan Wilderness ( Alaskan Bush People) , which chronicled the Brown family's unconventional lifestyle in remote areas of Alaska and later Washington state.
Matt, the eldest son of the late family patriarch Billy Brown and Ami Brown, played a prominent role in the show's early years before leaving. The series aired for 14 seasons, concluding in 2022.
Bear's video also revealed details of one of his final conversations with his brother. According to Bear, Matt recently admitted he had relapsed after a previous battle with alcohol addiction.
«"He said he'd started drinking again," Bear recalled. "I said, 'Well, go ahead, go back to your old ways. Everybody relapses. Just go back to your old ways.'".
Bear said that this was the last conversation between the brothers.
The latest reports come after a series of public conflicts that Matt Brown has openly discussed in recent years. Earlier this month, he posted a video in which he described spending a night in a cemetery because he considered it the safest place.
In the video, he assured viewers that he was feeling well emotionally and thanked his supporters for their support.
Earlier in 2019, after leaving Alaskan Wilderness« Brown was undergoing treatment for alcohol addiction.
Meanwhile, the Okanogan County Sheriff's Office confirmed that emergency services responded to the scene after a 911 caller reported seeing a man sitting in shallow water along the Okanogan River. The caller later reported seeing the man face down in the water before being swept away by the current.
Search efforts involving law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency services have so far yielded no results and have not led to the missing man's location. The search is expected to resume once weather conditions improve.
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, struggling with substance abuse, or experiencing thoughts of self-harm, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the suicide prevention and crisis hotline 24/7.
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