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Billy Brown: ‘Alaskan Bush People’ Star Reportedly Defied Doctors’ Orders Weeks Prior to Death

“Alaskan Bush People” star Billy Brown, who died Sunday night of a seizure, was in failing health in the weeks before his death.

Brown also reportedly ignored doctors’ suggestion that he move to a lower altitude.

Billy Brown Disregarded Doctors’ Advice

Doctors had told Brown that living at such a high altitude was bad for his health, according to PopCulture. But Brown insisted on staying in his mountaintop trailer.

Brown, 68, had gone to the hospital repeatedly in recent years. He had experienced difficulty breathing. As it turned out, that was due to a problem with his heart rather than his lungs. 

He told his family after he got back from one hospital visit that doctors believed his breathing troubles stemmed from a serious problem with his heart, per The Sun. The tough conversation aired as part of their reality show on the Discovery Channel. In that chat, Brown’s wife Ami informed his adult children that his health wouldn’t get any better. 

Brown was determined to die on his mountain. But his kids decided to move his trailer a little further down the mountain, according to The Sun. They hoped that the move would alleviate his breathing difficulties.

While Brown was still in the hospital, his children pushed the trailer down the mountain to a less elevated perch.

Living and Dying on His Terms

Meanwhile, the Discovery Channel expressed its condolences upon learning of Brown’s death.

“We are devastated to hear of Billy Brown’s sudden passing. He has been part of the Discovery family for years,” a spokesperson for Discovery told People. “[He was] a trailblazer, a lovely man and most definitely one of a kind. Our heart is with his family and those that knew him and loved him as they deal with this devastating loss.”

Brown’s son, Bear Brown, announced his death in a post on his private Instagram account Monday. 

“He was our best friend – a wonderful and loving dad, granddad, and husband and he will be dearly missed,” Bear wrote. “He lived his life on his terms, off the grid, and off the land and taught us to live like that as well.”