Alaskan Bush People's Ami Brown Suffers A Tragic Loss

Alaskan Bush People star Ami Brown's brother, Larry "Rene" Branson, died from cancer at age 66 on July 22, 2020, as reported by The Sun. His brother, Les, confirmed the death to the outlet. Les previously told The Sun, "Sadly my brother Rene is dying. He is at home with us and hospice comes once a day to see him. He is on pain medication and in a semi-comatose state. He isn't expected to live much longer. He has slowly deteriorated. In the last week or two, he slowed down considerably. He has a few days to live, we think."

Rene had renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer, and had previously undergone a surgery to remove his left kidney, per the outlet. However, the cancer ultimately spread to his adrenal glands and metastasized to his lungs, lymph nodes, spine, and bones. Les told The Sun that he doesn't plan on telling Ami or her family about her brother's death, as she has been estranged from the Bransons ever since she left Texas for Alaska with her husband, Billy. 

"I tried for years to reach out to Ami," he explained. "I sent letters and birthday cards. Since my mom died [in 2018], I decided to let Ami do her own thing. I don't want to pressure her. I assume she'll find out the news." 

What's especially upsetting about this news? It isn't the only family tragedy Ami Brown has faced in 2020.

The Branson family has suffered many tragedies in recent years. After Ami Brown's mother, Earlene Branson, died in 2018, her niece (and the late Rene Branson's daughter), Amber, died in May 2020 due to fire-related injuries. "When police arrived on the scene, they found Amber with severe burns over 90 percent of her body," Les Branson explained to The Sun. "She told the police that her injuries were self-inflicted. When questioned why, she said it was a 'faith test.'" 

He continued, "When asked what she used, she replied an insect repellant. However, the officers detected the odor of gasoline, and Amber's boyfriend later found an empty can of gasoline that had been in the garage tossed over a neighbor's fence." Amber, who was 44 at the time, ultimately succumbed to her injuries. 

It's unfortunate Ami is reportedly estranged from her family during these hard times, especially since she is in remission from lung cancer and has also been through a lot. Les blames Billy Brown for the discord, telling The Sun, "It has affected us. It affected my mom. Her and Ami always were very close. Billy didn't allow insiders in, he didn't allow them to wander from the family." 

Hopefully, happier news is around the corner for both families.