Since 2014, Alaskan Bush People has offered something unique in the world of reality TV: a raw and unfiltered look at the Brown family’s attempt to live life off-the-grid, far from modern society. Over the years, viewers watched them brave brutal winters, survive wild animals, and build a life of self-sufficiency in the wilderness. But no challenge proved more devastating than the loss of family patriarch Billy Brown. This was the moment that forever changed the course of the show.
Billy had been at the heart of Alaskan Bush People since day one. His vision was the very foundation of their unconventional lifestyle. This meant that his passing would inevitably create an enormous void in the show’s narrative and the family’s dynamics.
The Death of ‘Alaskan Bush People’s Billy Brown
Billy was far from a typical reality TV star. His life’s mission was to build a self-sufficient, isolated existence for his family in the wilderness. While his death was sudden, Billy had been struggling with serious breathing issues for years, which came to light in 2019.
At first, these breathing problems were believed to be related to the lungs, but medical diagnosis revealed that it was actually due to Billy’s weakening heart. Doctors repeatedly advised him to leave the high-altitude mountain for the sake of his health. But Billy, ever the mountain man, refused. According to The Sun, he made it clear to his family that he would rather die on the land he loved than live somewhere else. Tragically, on February 7, 2021, Billy died after suffering a sudden seizure at 68.
The Impact on ‘Alaskan Bush People’ After Billy Brown’s Death
Billy’s death was a crushing blow; not just for the fans, but for the family already reeling from a series of traumatic events. Less than a year earlier, in April 2020 (trigger warning), Ami Brown’s niece, Amber Nicole Branson, died by suicide during a mental health crisis. Two months later, Ami’s brother, Larry Branson, died after a battle with cancer. And as if the emotional burden wasn’t enough, the Brown family also lost their home in the 2020 wildfires that tore through Washington. They were already in the process of rebuilding their lives when they lost their anchor.
The show naturally began to change during this time, focusing more on the personal lives and emotional journeys of the Brown children. After Billy’s death, this shift intensified. Billy had died midway through filming Season 13, and the family’s raw grief became a central plot point in the season’s later episodes. Alaskan Bush People Season 13, Episode 8, “One Last Dance, Da” was a special tribute episode where the family rallied to honor Billy’s memory, brought his beloved animals back to the mountain, and talked about facing difficult next steps. After Billy’s death, the show shifted from showcasing his active dream to focusing on the family’s emotional response and their efforts to preserve and adapt that dream without him. From that point on, the series centered more on themes of loss, resilience, and family strength.
What’s Next for ‘Alaskan Bush People’?
After Billy’s death, many viewers wondered if the show would continue. But Season 14 did arrive, offering an in-depth look at how the Browns managed without their patriarch, focused on rebuilding, reconnecting, and redefining their purpose. However, new trouble followed. In April 2021, Billy’s business partner, Robert Maughon, filed a $500,000 breach-of-contract lawsuit against Billy’s estate and Alaskan Wilderness Family Productions, claiming he hadn’t received his agreed share. The lawsuit, and the emotional aftermath of Billy’s death, led to the series going on indefinite hiatus with no new episodes filmed since Season 14 wrapped in December 2022.
Still, hope remains. In March 2025, Bear Brown shared a video update on Instagram to clear the air. He confirmed that Alaskan Bush People had not been canceled. He emphasized that if Discovery had no plans to continue the series, they wouldn’t hesitate to say so. The show is just on a break for now. Whether or not the cameras roll again, one thing is certain: Billy’s legacy lives on through his family, the land he loved, and the countless fans who were inspired by his unbreakable spirit.
Alaskan Bush People is available to stream on Max.