Humboldt County Coroner’s Office press release:

On July 4, 2015 at about 3:40 PM the Hoopa Ambulance responded to the Kimtu area for a reported drowning. Upon arrival they were informed that a subject had become unresponsive in the water and had been brought to shore by witnesses at the location.

Resuscitation efforts were immediately started and the subject was transported to Mad River Community Hospital. Prior to arriving at the hospital, the subject was declared deceased.

Due to conflicting witness statements, an autopsy was scheduled for July 7, 2015 to confirm the exact cause of death. The autopsy was completed but the results were inconclusive. Tissue and blood samples were taken for further analysis. It will be several weeks before the results of the additional analysis are known.

The deceased person has been positively identified as Justin Russell Lawrence Bennich, age 33, from Gladstone, Oregon.

Though the exact cause of death is pending, the Coroner’s Office does not suspect any criminal activity relating to this incident.

PREVIOUS 2015 DROWNINGS: 

• Local Man Drowns at Clam Beach This Morning
• Bay Area Man Drowns at Agate Beach
• Montana Man Drowns After Saving Son at Shelter Cove’s Black Sands Beach
• Strong Current Likely Responsible for Drowning in Trinity River
• Man On Three-Day Rafting Trip Drowns Near Orick
• Kayaker Drowns Beneath McCann Bridge This Morning
• Suspected Redwood Creek Drowning Victim Identified; Sheriff’s Office Still Searching For Body; Dog OK