The search for a missing fisherman in California came to a grim end as his body was discovered after he was knocked into the ocean by a huge wave.
The body of Maximo Macanas, 37, was discovered on Tuesday after he was knocked into the waters in front of his children while fishing on Saturday at around 4pm.
Macanas was found by a local sport vessel just off of Whaler Island and pronounced dead by the Del Norte County Sheriff, according to the sheriff’s office.
He had been eel fishing with a friend and his children at the Klamath River when he was swept away by a sneaker wave, his family wrote on a GoFundMe.
The fundraiser, originally intended to fund search efforts, has raised more than $23,200 as of Thursday evening. The money is now set to be put toward funeral expenses and the Macanas family.
Efforts to find Macanas included many volunteers as well as helicopters, boats along waters and ground searches, according to the sheriff’s office.
‘We’ve been incredibly grateful for our amazing Humboldt community that is assisting us in our search,’ McKenna Caudill, the sister of Macanas’ wife, told the Times Standard.
‘With heavy hearts, we share that Maximo Macanas has been found. We are deeply grateful to this community for your support in spreading the word during our search and for keeping local fishermen vigilant,’ the GoFundMe said.
Maximo Macanas, 37, was found dead on Tuesday after he was knocked into the waters infront of his children while fishing on Saturday at around 4pm
Macanas had been eel fishing with a friend and his children at the Klamath River when he was swept away by a sneaker wave
A friend described Macanas as ‘such a bright light,’ and said: ‘We are so heartbroken to hear this news and grateful he has been found’
Macanas, a longtime resident of McKinleyville, leaves behind his wife Hannah and five children, including two foster children, aged from two years old to 14 years old
A friend described Macanas as ‘such a bright light,’ and said on Facebook: ‘We are so heartbroken to hear this news and grateful he has been found.’
‘My husband Richard worked with Max in his wildlife work and adored him. Whenever they talked, Max always had some new amazing outdoor adventure to share or sweet stories of Hannah and the kids,’ they added.
Another wrote: ‘Deepest condolences! He was such a wonderful person! Our family loved seeing him whenever we went into the pawn shop. What a huge loss. Glad his family will have some closure now.’
Caudill said in an email to the Standard that ‘Max’s story is one of caution.’
‘He was an extremely experienced fisherman and hunter and profoundly knowledgeable of our coastlines, making this tragic accident even harder to bear,’ she added.
‘Max’s death is a tragic loss for us all.’
Macanas, a longtime resident of McKinleyville, leaves behind his wife Hannah and five children, including two foster children, aged from two years old to 14 years old.
