Two brothers, Lex Rincon, 45, and Krishna "Ganesh" Rincon, 18, have been found dead in the Trinity River near Willow Creek in Humboldt County, Northern California, after one was seen struggling in the water. Sheriff's officials confirmed the deaths appeared "consistent with drowning," though the investigation remains ongoing, and the tragedy has left friends and family devastated.

Deputies were called to Tagmeyer Beach at 10.14am on Wednesday after reports that a man had been seen struggling in the current the previous day. On arrival they found the brothers' vehicle abandoned by the river's edge and, following an extensive search of the water and surrounding riverbank, recovered both bodies. Autopsies are scheduled for early this week to confirm the cause of death. A family friend described Lex as "unrelentingly kind, determined, creative and funny" and has launched a fundraiser to help relatives, many based in New York, travel to Humboldt County to recover the brothers' bodies.