Maximo Macanas (center) was reported missing on Saturday, Jan. 31. | Photo via GoFundMe.

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FEB. 4 UPDATE: The body of missing McKinleyville man Maximo Macanas was recovered on Tuesday afternoon after being spotted by a local fisherman just off of Whaler Island, according to a Facebook update from his family.

“As we begin to prepare for services, we find comfort in knowing that Max is now back with his family,” the post reads. “We truly couldn’t have navigated this without your support.”

Those who wish to lend a hand to the Macanas family can visit their GoFundMe page here.

The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement:

Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office sends condolences to the family and friends of Maximo Gordon Edward Macanas. He was located today by a local sport vessel and pronounced deceased by the Del Norte County Sheriff - Coroner’s Office at 1:26 pm.

Thank you to all of the agencies that responded and to family, friends and community members as well

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Original Post: Press release from the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office:

On January 31, 2026, at approximately 1600 hours, the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office received a report regarding a male subject, identified as Maximo Macanas (DOB: 04/26/1988), who was struck by a sneaker wave while eel fishing at the mouth of the Klamath River near 4351 Klamath Beach Road. Maximo was fishing with a friend and his younger children at the time. He was last seen wearing a Carhart jacket and green waders.

  • Yurok Tribal Police Department Officers Flores and Luna-Orozco were the first to arrive on the scene. - The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Humboldt Bay Station was notified and responded with search helicopters and a boat.
  • Del Norte County Search and Rescue (SAR) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were also dispatched.
  • Yurok Tribal Police deploying a boat on the river side of the mouth and Fish and Wildlife deploying on the ocean side.
  • Due to limited visibility at nightfall, Incident Command was demobilized and resumed on February 1, 2026, at 0830 hours.
  • This multi-agency response included Gasquet Fire, Del Norte SAR, Fish and Wildlife, and Yurok Tribal PD.
  • Search teams utilized boats in the river and conducted ground searches along the Klamath River spit, the Requa side, and Klamath Beach.
  • At approximately 1500 hours on February 1st, no clues were located.
  • Although active efforts have concluded, our Search and Rescue team intends to search the coastline for Maximo once a week moving forward.

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