We have a disturbing update in Matt Brown’s tragic death.
Last month, it was confirmed that after the Alaskan Bush People star went missing in May, he was discovered dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head in the Okanogan River in Washington State. All throughout his disappearance, Matt’s younger brother Bear had been active on social media sharing heartbreaking messages of concern. As we previously reported, a witness dialed 911 on May 27 after spotting a man later identified as Matt near the Okanogan River. The witness reported they briefly looked away, then heard a loud noise and saw the man floating face-down in the river’s current.
So awful.
Per a Page Six report citing an autopsy conducted by the Okanogan County coroner, other factors in Matt’s death included immersion in water and the presence of methamphetamine in his system.
It’s been a heartbreaking time for Bear and the rest of the Brown family, but sadly, the trauma didn’t end with Matt’s death.
On Tuesday, Us Weekly cited a July 2 court petition filed by Bear in which he accuses a man who aided in the search for Matt of stalking and harassing him:
“My eldest brother Matt recently ended his life. A witness reported seeing Matt’s body floating down the Okanogan River; however, the volunteer search and rescue organization was unable to locate him.”
According to the reality star, the man, who was involved in a local search and rescue group, was ultimately the one to locate Matt’s body. Prior to his aid in the search for Matt, Bear did not know the man. Though the 39-year-old said the man “vaguely claims to have been a very close friend of my brother.” But from there, things get creepy… Bear claimed the man “has since the search incessantly attacked me online, including on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.”
Whattt?? Bear continued:
“The incessant — and increasingly unhinged — attacks are extremely concerning. He has posted dozens of videos on social media, spewing hate, and vitriol against my family. In particular, he has targeted me repeatedly, making all manner of bizarre and strange claims, including that I sent people to harass his family — even though I do not even know this individual — and publicly defaming me by bizarrely claiming that I was responsible for the Palmer Fire in 2020.”
WTF?? That’s SO terrifying and unsettling. Bear pointed to one TikTok video in particular in which the man allegedly claimed he was “locked and loaded, waiting with my dog” in regard to Bear’s return to Washington for Matt’s funeral:
“This rises above the behavior of some immature, petulant, blowhard, who will eventually tire himself out and occupy himself with the next shiny thing that catches his attention. This is an active threat to harm me with a firearm. I genuinely fear for my life. I likewise fear for the safety of my family members who will be around me while we attend my brother‘s funeral. I do not know what to expect, other than his own representation that he is ‘locked and loaded’ — and all that statement plainly implies.”
In addition to that, Bear claimed the man publicly posted his and his family members’ phone numbers, which resulted in “an onslaught of unwanted text messages and phone calls, severely disrupting our daily lives, our privacy and our sense of safety.”
But phone numbers aren’t not the only thing the man allegedly posted… Bear claimed he shared photos of Matt’s body:
“[He] very recently engaged in increasingly strange, hostile and disturbing behavior involving my deceased brother, and my family. After locating my brother’s body [he] filmed and posted images of my brother‘s deceased body from the knees down, which I found deeply inappropriate and upsetting. He then took possession of my brother‘s truck, displayed it as a so-called memorial in town, allowed people to vandalize it in the name of ceremony, and repeatedly refused to return it when asked, even stating that he intended to keep it.”
What the actual F**K?!
Bear further claimed the man “used copyrighted intellectual property and my brother‘s image to create and sell T-shirts, claiming the proceeds were for charity to help the family, yet we have not received any of those funds.”
“When confronted about returning the truck or profiting from images that do not belong to him, [he] becomes enraged, abrasive, insulting, and threatening. Over time, his conduct toward me in particular has become increasingly aggressive, spiteful and unstable, including demanding an apology video from me despite my having done nothing to warrant one.”
Bear arrived in Washington on July 2 to assist with Matt’s final arrangements, and was apparently within miles of the man:
“His most recent posts are threatening and unhinged, including statements that this was my ‘last chance,’ [and] that he was going to make me ‘pay.’ Based on this escalating pattern of behavior, I am genuinely concerned that he may attempt to assault me or shoot me, and I fear for my safety and the safety of those around me.”
Bear claimed he reached out to local law enforcement, which advised him the man “may indeed pose a danger.”
In his court docs, Bear acknowledged the dark side of fame that can be associated with being a public figure, but made a plea for his safety:
“After appearing for 14 seasons on the Alaskan Bush People reality TV show, I have become a recognizable personality; unfortunately, what comes with being recognizable is unwarranted criticism from fans, followers, and naysayers. The best way to handle it is usually to ignore it, which is what I try to do. However, I am afraid that [his] behavior has become too erratic and dangerous to ignore.”
Seriously so scary!
In a July 1 social media post, Bear noted this “is perfectly representative of why I have become afraid for my life.”
The Discovery star requested the court schedule a hearing for a full protection order, which would extend to his ex-wife Raiven, mother Amora, brothers Noah, Josh, Gabriel, and sisters Snowbird and Rain. The request was granted and dated for later on in the month. In the meantime, Bear was granted a temporary restraining order on July 14 which orders the man, who has not publicly been identified, to stay 1,000 feet away from Bear and his family.
Thank goodness!
Also part of Bear’s request included court ordered mental health evals, as well as for drugs and alcohol. He also requested the man turn over any and all firearms.
We hope Bear’s requests are granted! This is seriously SO concerning! And during a time where the family should be allowed to mourn in peace!
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to https://www.thehotline.org/
For more information on cyberbullying, go to https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it
Reactions to this chilling situation??