Alaskan Bush People Star Matt Brown Missing Near River — New Evidence Found

A witness's account, a troubling search effort, and a newly recovered piece of evidence have deepened the mystery surrounding former reality TV star Matt Brown's disappearance.

Questions began swirling after witnesses reported seeing a man disappear into the Okanogan River. Days later, new details emerged that have intensified speculation surrounding the former reality star.

Former "Alaskan Bush People" star Matt Brown has become the focus of growing concern after reports placed him near the same stretch of river where authorities have been searching for an unidentified man.

While officials have not confirmed the missing man's identity, a timeline pieced together from witness accounts, family statements, and law enforcement updates has drawn significant attention to the case.

Matt Was Seen Near the Area

One of the most significant developments came from a family member who spoke to TMZ. According to the relative, Matt was spotted around 8 a.m. Wednesday near the Driscoll Island Wildlife Area off Highway 97 in Oroville, Washington.

The location is reportedly a campground and fishing spot that Matt was known to frequent. The sighting is significant because it occurred less than a mile from where a witness would later report seeing a man disappear into the Okanogan River.

The family member also told the outlet that Matt owns a firearm. At the time, that detail appeared to be little more than background information. It would become much more significant after investigators revealed what they found in the water.

A Witness Described a Chilling Sequence of Events

According to an Okanogan County Sheriff's Office press release, a 911 caller contacted authorities on May 27 after speaking with a man sitting in shallow water along the Okanogan River south of Oroville. But things changed unexpectedly.

"The caller turned away from the man sitting in the river, heard a sound, turned back toward the man in the water, and saw the man was face down in the water, drifting away in the current," the sheriff's office stated.

Emergency responders quickly descended on the area. Deputies deployed a boat, two jet ski-style watercraft, and an aerial drone in an effort to locate the man.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife also joined the search. Despite the extensive response, crews were unable to locate him.

The Discovery That Changed the Investigation

As search teams continued combing the river, investigators uncovered what has become the most talked-about piece of evidence in the case.

"A firearm was recovered from the water in the area where the male was last seen." The sheriff's office did not provide further details about the weapon, including whether it belonged to the missing man.

Still, the discovery immediately drew attention because of an earlier report that Matt owned a firearm and had allegedly been near the area only hours before the search began.

Search operations continued until darkness forced crews to stop around 8:45 p.m. They resumed the following morning with divers, boats, and aerial support.

However, dangerous weather conditions forced authorities to suspend the operation again on May 28.

Officials noted that elevated runoff levels had created extremely difficult search conditions, including powerful currents, debris-filled water, and poor visibility. As of now, authorities have not identified the missing man.

Bear Brown Shares His Fears

As the search unfolded, Matt's younger brother Bear Brown posted an emotional video on TikTok that quickly spread among fans of the Discovery Channel series.

Bear said he had received information suggesting that Matt may have died. Although he repeatedly stressed that he could not independently verify the claims, Bear said he had been told that Matt "took his own life."

According to Bear, Matt "was seen in a river, at a river or close to a river" and was later observed "floating down the river." He also shared what witnesses had allegedly told him.

"All the witnesses are saying that it was Matt," Bear said. "Someone definitely did, and a lot of people are thinking that it's him. ... It looks like it is. ... It's looking very likely that it is the case."

Despite those statements, no law enforcement agency has publicly identified the missing man as Matt Brown.

Their Last Conversation

Bear also reflected on the last time he saw his brother. He said the two crossed paths at a Walmart not long ago and later spoke by phone.

During that conversation, Bear said Matt told him he had "fallen off the wagon" after a period of sobriety. Bear recalled encouraging him to keep fighting.

"Well, get back on it, man. Everybody falls off. Just get back on it. Go to rehab if you've got to. You got this. You've fought it a lot before."

Bear also said Matt had reportedly been struggling with a difficult breakup involving "a girl he really liked." Still, Bear repeatedly said he never expected the situation to end this way.

Throughout the video, he urged viewers not to direct criticism toward their mother, Ami Brown. "Please don't blame her. Mom cares very much for Matt and always has, and has been through a lot for him. A lot. So please don't attack my mom."

The Mystery Remains Unanswered

For now, the most important question remains unresolved. Authorities have not confirmed the identity of the man who disappeared into the Okanogan River, and search efforts have been complicated by hazardous conditions.

But the timeline that has emerged continues to draw attention: a reported sighting of Matt Brown near the river, a witness who described seeing a man drift away in the current, Bear Brown's public fears, and the recovery of a firearm from the exact area where the man was last seen.

Until investigators provide answers, the disappearance of the former "Alaskan Bush People" star remains one of the most unsettling stories surrounding the Brown family in recent years.