Former MTV VJ Matt Pinfield’s Family Divided Over Daughter’s Conservatorship After Stroke.
Matt Pinfield’s family is embroiled in a legal dispute over his conservatorship following his massive stroke in January 2025. The former MTV VJ and radio host, now 63, remains hospitalized as his daughter, Jessica Pinfield, 38, has filed for conservatorship. However, Matt’s girlfriend, Kara Brown, and his brother, Glenn Pinfield, are challenging the petition, alleging that Jessica’s actions are isolating Matt from his family.
According to court documents, Jessica filed for conservatorship shortly after her father’s hospitalization on January 6, 2025. She cited concerns over her father’s health and the possibility that his girlfriend, Kara, had taken control of his finances and property. Jessica argued that Matt was "incompetent to make decisions" following his stroke and that she was seeking to protect his assets.
However, Brown and Glenn, who oppose the conservatorship, claim that Jessica's petition was made without consulting the rest of the family. The opposition filing, submitted on February 7, 2025, to a Superior Court in Los Angeles, insists that Jessica’s request came shortly after Matt was admitted to the hospital following a fall. Brown, who has been Matt’s girlfriend for three years and lived with him for two, stated that Matt was "lucid and engaged" when he named her as his emergency contact and personal representative. She added that Matt was talking to her and the hospital staff in full sentences and that doctors were optimistic about his recovery.
"I spent most of my time during the first week of Matt’s hospitalization at his bedside. At that time, he was talking to me in full sentences," Brown stated in the filing. "His doctor went over his MRI with me in detail, and we were encouraged at that time that Matt would make a full recovery."
However, Brown claims that Jessica accused her of being on drugs and blamed her for Matt’s stroke during a visit to the hospital on January 14, 2025. "These accusations are untrue. I felt it was Jessica’s intention here to destroy my credibility with the hospital staff," Brown said. "Rather than argue, I left the hospital in deference to Jessica."
Brown also alleged that she was asked to leave the hospital on January 16, 2025, by security staff, and was later unable to receive updates on Matt’s condition. Following that, Brown learned that Matt’s health had worsened, with doctors reporting that he had contracted MRSA and pneumonia, which were life-threatening.
Glenn Pinfield, Matt’s brother, expressed similar concerns in the opposition filing, stating that Jessica's actions blindsided the family. Glenn and Brown claim that Jessica failed to inform them about her decision to file for conservatorship and withheld medical information about Matt's condition. The family argues that Jessica is unfit to be the conservator and is requesting more time to determine a proper arrangement.
Jessica was appointed temporary conservator of her father’s affairs, according to TMZ. Glenn and Brown are now asking the court to either deny her request for full conservatorship or allow for more time to come up with a better family solution.
Matt's health emergency on January 6 was the result of prior health complications, as reported by Rolling Stone. He was temporarily hospitalized after a stroke, and KCSN, the radio station where Matt hosted a show, announced that he would be stepping back for personal reasons.
“The SoCal Sound's legendary DJ Matt Pinfield will take a temporary leave of absence for personal reasons,” KCSN posted on their Facebook page. “We fully support Matt and hope to have his energetic rock n’ roll knowledge back on the air soon.”
Matt’s other radio station, KLOS, also expressed support, saying, "Everyone at KLOS & Meruelo Media, along with Matt’s family, his girlfriend Kara, and the entire rock and roll universe support Matt in taking some time off to rest and heal."
Matt Pinfield is best known for his role as an MTV VJ starting in 1992 and later hosting popular shows like 120 Minutes, Pinfield Suite, MattRock, and Say What?. In 2016, he published a memoir titled All These Things That I’ve Done: My Insane, Improbable Rock Life.
In his final Instagram post before the stroke, Matt shared a heartfelt message: “Starting another week with gratitude for a life surrounded by great people, life-changing music, and unforgettable experiences that I never take for granted. Here to another week—another day—open heart and open mind. Let’s rock!”
