THE worst fears held for two Golden Bay men missing in Mexico appear to have been realised.
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Surfers Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman have not made contact with their friends or family for more than a week.
The pair was last seen in Topolobampo at 10pm on November 20.
They were due to arrive in Guadalajara the next day, but never made it to their destination.
A massive social media appeal was set up to find the men, and on Sunday an online fundraiser went live to raise money for the Lucas and Coleman families to fly to Mexico.
A statement released by the families confirmed they were aware the van the men were travelling in had been found and that a "tragic event" had happened.
On Sunday evening Adam's mother shared a link to the page and said: "Our sons life has left us, but they will be with us forever in our hearts ...".
Another family member said money raised from the page would go towards the men's parents flying to Mexico to "bring our boys home".
While no official confirmation has been made by authorities, the men are believed to have been found in their van in Navolato, one of the most dangerous places in Mexico.
To donate to the fund, which has raised more than $23,000 in the past 13 hours, go to Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman