Billy Brown, the patriarch of the reality series Discovery “Alaskan Bush People,” died Sunday at the age of 68.
He died after a seizure, according to a private Instagram of his son, Bear Brown, according to People magazine.
“We are saddened to announce that our beloved patriarch Billy Brown died last night after being seized,” Bear wrote. “He was our best friend: a wonderful, loving father, grandfather and husband, and he will be greatly missed.”
In a public post on Instagram, Bear’s sister, Rain, who also passes by Rainy, left an emotional tribute to her father.
“I lost a true friend. Not forever, but only in this world, ”he wrote. “Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers, especially my mother. Please support your family for me. Words cannot express how wonderful he was and was. But I will say, the closest thing to an angel I have ever met. God bless you, I love you and I miss you so much. You will always be my hero. God bless everyone. “
The official Twitter account of the program he also acknowledged his “sudden step,” calling him “a pioneer, a charming man, and certainly unique.”
The reality series, which premiered in 2014, follows the growing Brown family, including parents Billy and Ami, plus their children, Matt, Bam Bam, Bear, Gabe, Noah, Snowbird and Rainy, who live offline and “deep” in the desert, ”according to the program’s official description.