Billy Brown, the patriarch of the Discovery reality series “Alaskan Bush People,” died Sunday at the age of 68.
According to a private Instagram of his son Bear Brown, he died of an attack, according to People magazine.
“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved patriarch Billy Brown passed away from an attack last night,” Bear wrote. “He was our best friend – a wonderful and loving father, grandfather and husband, and he will be sorely missed.”
In a public Instagram post, Bear’s sister Rain – who is also named Rainy – left a moving tribute to their father.
‘I’ve lost a real friend. Not forever, but only in this world, ”she wrote. Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers, especially my mother. Please hold your family for me. Words cannot express how wonderful he was and is. But I’ll say, it’s the closest thing to an angel I’ve ever known. God bless you da I love you and miss you very much. You will always be my hero. God bless everyone. “
The show’s official Twitter account also recognized his “sudden death” called him “a pioneer, a nice man, and absolutely one of a kind”.
The reality series, which premiered in 2014, follows the growing Brown family – including parents Billy and Ami, plus their kids, Matt, Bam Bam, Bear, Gabe, Noah, Snowbird and Rainy – who are off-the-grid live and in the wilderness, ”said the show’s official description.