Body Of Drowned Man Found In Russian River

SANTA ROSA (CBS SF) - Emergency officials found the body of a Santa Rosa man who drowned while swimming near a Monte Rio beach Monday afternoon, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

The body of 30-year-old Juan Martinez Leon was discovered in the middle of Russian River, in about 14 feet of water, at around 8:30 p.m.

Monte Rio fire officials and Sonoma County deputies responded to the beach, located near state Highway 116 at Bohemian Highway, at around 2:20 p.m. in response to reports of a drowning, sheriff's officials said.

Responders learned that Leon and a woman had been swimming in the river when they unknowingly entered deeper water. The current carried them downstream and the woman reportedly struggled to stay afloat.

The woman told emergency officials that Leon helped her into a rescuer's kayak before he slipped underwater.

The Marin County sheriff's dive team was brought in to assist with the search for Leon.

Leon's family was at the scene when he was found and they positively identified his body, sheriff's officials said.

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