Funds Raised For Wife, Stepchildren Of Kayaker Who Drowned In Fox River: GoFundMe

ST. CHARLES, IL — Nearly $25,000 has been raised for the wife of a kayaker whose body was recovered from the Fox River in St. Charles last week.

Taylor Russell, 25, of Hanover Park, died after his kayak tipped over while he was fishing just south of Ferson Creek Fen on the river at about 9:40 p.m. on August 29. His body was found on Friday morning, authorities said.

Now funds are being raised to help cover his funeral costs, memorial arrangements and the "financial challenges ahead" for his wife, Janeth, and his three step children, Jazmin, Axel and Mario, according to a GoFundMe, which has brought in $24,640 as of Tuesday afternoon.

Rusell's death has left Janeth and Russell's three stepchildren with "unimaginable grief," according to the GoFundMe, which was set up by Janeth's cousin.

"Taylor raised Mario from the time he was a baby and treated Jazmin and Axel with the same unconditional love as if they were his own. He was the heart of their home — a steady, loving presence who never hesitated to show up for his family," according to the GoFundMe. "Janeth is a stay-at-home mom caring for two special needs children, and Taylor was the family’s main provider. Now, she faces the overwhelming task of navigating this loss while trying to remain strong and present for her children during the most difficult time of their lives."

Those wishing to make a donation can do so here.

Russell body was found at about 6 a.m. on Friday after a passerby spotted it near the Great Western Trail Bridge and called 911. Preliminary results from an autopsy show Russell's cause of death to be drowning, according to a news release from the Kane County Coroner's Office.

• Body Of Missing Kayaker Found In Fox River In St. Charles

After Russell tipped into the river on Aug. 29, an exhaustive, multi-agency search followed, spanning 20 hours over the course of two days. Authorities used "extensive resources, including side and sector scan sonar technology, specialized search-and-rescue canines, dive teams, underwater rovers and the coordinated efforts of more than two dozen supporting fire departments and multiple government agencies" as they tried to locate Russell, according to authorities.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police, who hold jurisdiction over the Fox River, and the Kane County Coroner’s Office are continuing to investigate the incident. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Law Enforcement at 217-782-6431.