Brothers, 18 and 45, found dead in California river after witness reported seeing man struggling in the water: ‘Devastating loss’

Two brothers have been found dead after one was seen struggling to swim in a Northern California river. 

Lex Rincon, 45, and Krishna ‘Ganesh’ Rincon, 18, were found dead around Willow Creek on Trinity River in Humboldt County on Wednesday, sheriff’s officials announced last week.

Deputies were initially dispatched to Tagmeyer Beach at 10.14am that day to search for a man who was last seen struggling in the current the day before.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they found the two men’s vehicle still parked at the river’s edge. 

They then conducted an extensive search of the river and the surrounding river bar, before eventually pulling two bodies from the water.

Authorities said the brothers died in a manner that appeared ‘consistent with drowning,’ though the investigation is ongoing, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.

Autopsies are scheduled for early this week. 

‘The unexpected deaths of Lex and Ganesh Rincon are a devastating loss to their friends and family,’ Gregory Terry said in a statement.

He described Lex as ‘unrelentingly kind, determined, creative and funny,’ and said he was ‘privileged to have known him for so long and to have been introduced to his gentle and curious brother, Ganesh.

‘I am heartbroken by their deaths, as are all [who] knew and loved them.’

Terry then urged the community to help support the brothers’ family, many of whom live in New York and must now travel to Humboldt County to recover the bodies.

‘Last minute plane tickets are not cheap!’ the online fundraiser said. ‘If you are able, let’s pitch in to help Lex and Ganesh’s family travel to be together with them.’