‘Alaskan Bush People’: The Biggest Controversies and Most Trying Times

Discovery’s Alaskan Bush People has been a fan-favorite reality TV series over the last few years. Audiences have been in awe of the wild and reclusive lifestyle of the Brown family, who truly seem unlike any others on television.

While the fans have enjoyed the stories that have been told on the screen, filming this show hasn’t been so easy on the Browns.

Between legal troubles, family issues and health concerns, these folks have had quite a lot to deal with. It’s been a rough few years for the Browns.

Some of these issues have come in the form of controversies that happen off-screen. While, on the other hand, things like Ami’s current battle with cancer were completely out of the family’s control. But, no matter how these problems came about, the Browns have have to deal with each and every one.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest controversies and most trying times the Alaskan Bush People have faced over the years.

Ami’s Diagnosis

As you can imagine, the biggest trial the Browns have ever faced is happening right now. Ami, the matriarch of the family, is battling lung cancer.

Back in June, it was revealed that the mass in Ami’s lungs was in fact cancer, and it was suggested she should begin treatment. This was a problem for a family who lived in the wilderness, far away from any hospital.

Billy took Ami to California to begin getting treatment, which she’s still going through today. 

The battle is getting difficult for Ami as of late. In an interview with PEOPLE, she revealed that the fight is wearing her down.

“I realized early into this that it’s very easy to want to give up and just die. And on the pessimist side, it could be my last days,” Brown said. “But I have the will to fight.”

Despite the hardships, Ami is staying positive. She’s also staying strong for her husband Billy, who’s really struggling with the thought of losing the woman he loves.

“She’s the strongest person I know, so if she’s saying it hurts, it really hurts,” Billy said. “She tries to hide it from everybody but four or five times a day she bends over like a baby and cries. She bends over and tears run down. She put out seven babies without a grunt. I’ve always had a lot of respect for Ami, but I’ve got a lot more now. She makes me feel like a wuss.”

Leaving the Family

Ami’s cancer has been tough on all of the children of the family as well. When her treatments began, it led to many of the siblings to split up — something they’re not very accustomed to.

Three of Ami and Billy’s children watched over Browntown in Alaska while the rest of the family went to California to be with their mother. For a clan who is so tight-knit, this wasn’t an easy challenge.

Not too long after that, the remaining siblings left Browntown to join the rest of their siblings. 

There’s a possibility that another trying split is on the way for the Browns, as it looks like Gabe won’t be returning for the next season. Gabe took to Instagram recently to say thank you to the producers of the show for all of the adventures, and it sounded like a lot like a farewell.

On top of everything, a potential move from Alaska to Colorado is looming over the heads of the family.

Legal Troubles

While fans may think that the Browns have lived in the wilderness of Alaska for a number of years, a recent legal issue says otherwise.

In 2015, the Brown family was accused of stealing over $20,000 from the state of Alaska. Each year, Alaska gives its full-time residents a check for just over $1800 dollars. From 2009-2012, members of the Brown family collected those checks, but records showed that they weren’t actually living in Alaska for the majority of the year.

In January of last year, Billy and Joshua Brown plead guilty to the fraud charges and were sentenced to 30 days in jail. Additionally, the duo were handed a hefty fine.

Back in June, it was revealed that Billy and Joshua stayed out of jail and would instead be heading to Juneau for electronic monitoring.

Since this issue became public, the Browns have been accused of living in Colorado and California while they aren’t filming the show.

Matt’s Injury

Earlier this summer, it was reported that Matt Brown was sent to the hospital for a head injury that required nine staples.

According to TMZ, the injury happened after an explosion in the fridge struck him in the head.

As it turns out, Matt had filled a mason jar with gunpowder and cannon fuse before storing it in the fridge. To no one’s surprise, this idea backfired tremendously.

The mason jar exploded and blew the door off the fridge, sending it into Matt’s head.

While some had speculated that this was a stunt for the the series, it turns out that this was just for Matt’s enjoyment. Alaskan Bush People wasn’t shooting at the time of the accident.

Photo Credit: Discovery