Body Recovered, Search Suspended for McKinleyville Man Swept While Eel Fishing

A body matching the description of McKinleyville resident Maximo Macanas was recovered Tuesday afternoon just off Whaler Island, and authorities have suspended the multiagency search that had been under way since he went missing while eel fishing at the mouth of the Klamath River.

The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office said Macanas was located by a private vessel and that the Del Norte County Sheriff–Coroner pronounced the decedent at 1:26 p.m. The sheriff’s office offered condolences and thanked responding agencies, family and community members in a statement, noting the cooperative response across jurisdictions. The Times-Standard published the sheriff’s statement and reported the pronouncement time.

According to the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office and reporting by Lost Coast Outpost, the incident began late afternoon on Jan. 31 when a sneaker wave struck near 4351 Klamath Beach Road and pulled the 37-year-old into the Pacific. Sources identify him as Maximo Gordon Edward Macanas, born 04/26/1988, and say he was fishing from shore with a friend and the friend’s younger children. He was last seen wearing a Carhart jacket and green waders, the initial sheriff’s release reported and Lost Coast Outpost reproduced.

Search efforts involved local, state and tribal partners: Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff–Coroner, Gasquet Fire, Del Norte Search and Rescue, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Coast Guard Humboldt Bay Station, Yurok Tribal Police and California State Parks. The operation ran for several days before a local fisherman aboard a private sport vessel spotted the body off Whaler Island and notified authorities, sources reported. After recovery and coroner procedures, the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office suspended the search.

The family confirmed the recovery on Facebook, telling the community, “As we begin to prepare for services, we find comfort in knowing that Max is now back with his family. We truly couldn’t have navigated this without your support,” a message reproduced by Lost Coast Outpost. Earlier in the search the family had posted a $5,000 reward seeking public help, according to Times-Standard coverage; reporting did not indicate whether the reward remains active after recovery. The family has provided a contact email, MacanasFamily2026@gmail.com, and a phone number, 209-263-9573.

Authorities asked anyone with information about the incident to call the sheriff’s office or Yurok Tribal Police. The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office press release advised, “Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call in the Del Norte County Sheriff’s office at (707) 464-4191 or the Yurok Tribal Police at 1-855-55YUROK (1-855-559 8765) ext. 9060.”

For Humboldt County residents who fish the Klamath mouth or recreate along the coast, the case is a sober reminder of the known hazard of sneaker waves and the rapid shift in conditions at river mouths and rocky points. The coroner’s office has pronounced the decedent and law enforcement has suspended active search operations; family members are preparing services and local officials continue to coordinate on follow-up inquiries.