Richmond Man ID'd As Russian River Drowning Victim

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has identified a man who died while swimming in the Russian River over the Fourth of July weekend, the second person to die there in the same week.

Pedro Ramirez Lopez, 51, of Richmond, drowned in the river around 6:40 p.m. Saturday, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Multiple 911 calls came in about a possible drowning at Monte Rio Beach. Deputies arrived and found bystanders performing CPR on Lopez after he was pulled from the river. He did not survive and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lopez's death came a day after the body of Nasoni Tuitoga, 28, of Santa Rosa, was found. Tuitoga was reported missing while swimming near Villa Grande, an unincorporated community along the river, on Friday evening.

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office says that "Multiple people have died in the Russian River in 2024. While it looks calm on the surface, the river can have strong currents, deep spots and drop-offs, and underwater debris. We urge everyone to practice water safety when they visit our beautiful river."

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