Man whose body found in Russian River ID'd

Family members identified the man who was found dead in the Russian River Tuesday as Santa Rosa resident Frank Bratcher.

Delia Bratcher said she learned her father had died from her uncle, who she said was notified by a Sonoma County Coroner's official.

Two fishermen spotted the body Tuesday morning, caught up in bushes along the river's edge. Authorities said at the time there was no obvious evidence of foul play.

Delia Bratcher said her father, who lived with her in Santa Rosa, was 55 and had been in ill health recently. She said she last saw him Jan. 3 after he told her he was going to Guerneville, where he had a girlfriend.

The father of eight had recently been released from jail, according to his daughter. She said the former kickboxing instructor was looking forward to getting healthy and resuming the sport.

"The last conversation we had was about how he wanted to get back into the gym," Delia Bratcher said.