Content Advisory: This article discusses death, addiction, mental health struggles, and claims involving a possible self-inflicted injury. Reader discretion is advised.
A resurfaced Instagram video from Matt Brown is drawing new attention after his brother Bear Brown claimed the former ‘Alaskan Bush People’ star may have died from a “self-inflicted” injury.
Matt, who appeared in the early seasons of ‘Alaskan Bush People,’ had spoken publicly over the years about addiction, recovery, and his mental health. Now, following tragic news about his death, fans are revisiting one of his past videos in which he talked about staying grounded when life became difficult.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed a final cause of death.
Matt Brown Told Fans To ‘Never Give Up’
In a 2024 Instagram video, Matt opened up about the coping methods he used when he felt overwhelmed.
“I’ve been concentrating on, because things have gotten a little bit rough. You know how it is when life hits,” he said.
Matt explained that when he noticed himself falling into unhelpful patterns, he tried to stop and figure out what was really happening.
He said he used a card-writing method he learned during treatment at the Betty Ford Center. On the front, he wrote down people and events in his life. On the back, he wrote a more realistic assessment of what those things meant and whether they were helping or hurting him.
“Basically, I’ll write down the people and events in my life, whether or not they are toxic or whether or not they are good,” he said.
Matt said the process helped him respond with a clearer mind instead of reacting only from emotion. “Alright, guys, never give up, never surrender,” he concluded.
Bear Brown Shared Disturbing Family Details
Bear later shared a painful update about how the family learned of Matt’s death. According to Bear, their youngest brother, Noah Brown, was the first to identify Matt’s body after he was pulled from the water.
Bear said the injury appeared to be “self-inflicted,” though he also made clear that he had not expected that outcome.
“I would’ve never suspected he would have hurt himself, honestly,” Bear said on TikTok. “He struggled for a long time, as I’ve mentioned.”
Bear said he had worried Matt might overdose because of his past struggles, but he had not thought his brother would harm himself.
“It does look as though the injury is self-inflicted,” Bear added.
He also asked the public to be careful with comments about the family. “Please be respectful to my family and to my mum,” Bear said, adding that “sometimes words can hurt more than fists can.”
Matt’s Addiction Struggles Had Been Public
Bear had previously spoken about Matt’s long history with alcohol and drug issues, as well as periods of distance from the family.
“He has been struggling for a long time, you know, with alcohol and drugs and stuff,” Bear said. “I was getting really worried about him.”
Bear also said the family had not shunned Matt. According to him, Matt was the one who did not want contact with the family at times.
In their last conversation, Bear said Matt told him he had “fallen off the wagon.” Bear encouraged him to seek help again. “You’ve got this, you fought it a lot before,” Bear recalled telling him.
Matt entered rehab in 2016 for substance abuse issues and later left ‘Alaskan Bush People’ in 2019 amid ongoing personal struggles and reported family tensions.
For now, many questions remain. Bear’s comments have added a painful layer to the story, but the official cause of death has not yet been publicly confirmed.
