Matt Brown’s ashes sent to Okanogan crematory, record says
The Alaskan Bush People star was cremated after his May 27 death, according to a death certificate cited by TMZ.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
Matt Brown, known to viewers from Alaskan Bush People, was cremated after his death, according to a death certificate cited by TMZ.
The document says Brown’s ashes were turned over to Okanogan County Crematory on June 24, TMZ reported. The detail answers one of the remaining questions after the former reality TV star’s death in Washington state.
Brown died on May 27. The Okanogan County Coroner later determined his death was a suicide caused by a single gunshot wound to the head, according to TMZ’s reporting on the coroner’s findings.
His body was found in a fast-moving river by a private search party, TMZ reported. The coroner also found methamphetamine in Brown’s system at the time of his death, according to the report. Immersion in the Okanogan River after the shooting was listed as a contributing factor.
The official Alaskan Bush People Instagram account acknowledged Brown’s death in a public post, saying he had shared much of his life with viewers and had been an important part of the show. The post said its thoughts were with his family, friends and people affected by his story.
Brown’s brother, Bear Brown, also posted a family tribute on Instagram while announcing the death. The post described Matt as “intelligent, curious, creative” and fascinated by the world around him. It also said he was an outdoorsman, fisherman, boatman, artist and lifelong learner.
The family tribute said Brown had dealt with serious mental health challenges and addiction over many years. It said the family had experienced hope, recovery, setbacks, heartbreak and reconciliation, and added that their late father, Billy Brown, believed Matt could heal and find peace.
The post also addressed Brown’s difficult chapters, saying his life included mistakes and struggles that caused pain, while saying the family did not believe a person’s life should be defined only by their lowest moments.
TMZ reported that Brown had been estranged from most of his family before his death. Afterward, relatives expressed mixed feelings, according to the outlet, describing grief over his death alongside relief that they knew where he was.
Brown was identified in the family tribute as one of the original stars of Alaskan Bush People, the reality series that followed the Brown family’s off-grid life and made several members of the family familiar to TV audiences.
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This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.