Man who died after being found in Russian River ID’d

Authorities identified a Richmond man who died Saturday after passersby found him in the Russian River in Monte Rio.

The bystanders, who were traveling on a paddleboard, noticed a commotion about 6:40 p.m. and pulled Pedro Ramirez Lopez, 51, from the water and onto the board near Monte Rio Public Beach. They called 911 and performed CPR on Ramirez until fire officials arrived.

Monte Rio Fire Protection District personnel used lifesaving measures on Ramirez for about 25 minutes before he was pronounced dead.

The Sonoma County Coroner’s Office identified him Monday.

Not much is known about what led to Ramirez’s death. The Coroner’s Office is continuing to investigate.

Ramirez’s death was the second of two drownings to occur within four days in the Russian River. Last Wednesday night, Nasoni Tuitoga, 28, went under the water near Patterson Point Reserve. A Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office dive team found him in the river Friday.

You can reach Staff Writer Madison Smalstig at madison.smalstig@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @madi.smals.