North Coast man who went missing while fishing found dead after four-day search

The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office said Maximo Gordon Edward Macanas, 37, was located by a local sport vessel and pronounced deceased by the local coroner at 1:26 pm.

While fishing for eel with friends and his children on shore just south of the mouth of the Klamath River around 4 p.m. Saturday, Macanas was abruptly pulled into the Pacific Ocean.

“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,” said McKenna Caudill, sister of Macanas’ wife, in an email.

The news that Macanas had been found ended four days of frantic searching.

Efforts to locate him included multiple North Coast agencies and scores of volunteers. According to sheriff’s officials, helicopters, boats in the river and ocean, and ground searches were deployed over the weekend.

On Wednesday, search-and-rescue divers coordinating with Sheriff’s Office and the Yurok Tribal Police Department were scheduled to search by boat with the assistance of sonar guides, according to Caudill.

Groups of volunteers also combed the area to find him.

“We’ve been incredibly grateful for our amazing Humboldt community that is assisting us in our search,” wrote Caudill.

Macanas’ family had called for drone pilot volunteers to help search the coastline near where he was last seen, and for all local fishermen and boaters to be alert.

Caudill said search-and-rescue personnel were focusing on efforts to find him as soon as possible to help his family grieve and give them the opportunity to do a proper burial.

Macanas, a 15-year resident, leaves behind his wife and five young children, including foster children, ages 2 to 14. A GoFundMe to support the family has raised more than $19,050 of a $30,000 goal as of Tuesday afternoon.

“Max’s death is a tragic loss for us all,” said Caudill.

On the GoFundMe site, the family announced that Macanas had been found.

“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 page reads. “Max was discovered by a local fishermen just off Whaler Island this afternoon, Tuesday, February 3rd.”

Staff Writer Martin Espinoza contributed to this report. 

You can reach Staff Writer Sage Alexander at 707-441-0504.