One of Darryle Caribou's last known aboriginal-themed paintings is visible on a wall of the Queen Elizabeth Way Bridge in Winnipeg. (CBC)

The body pulled from the Red River earlier this week has been identified as Darryle Caribou, a 26-year-old graffiti artist from the inner city of Winnipeg.

Police believe Caribou was trying to save a friend who had jumped into the river on July 3 in the area of the Queen Elizabeth Way Bridge. When Caribou went into the water, the strong current swept him under.

"He was an artist … truly an artist. He really inspired people — he inspired me," said Patrick Ross, a friend and a fellow artist. "Darryle's always had a powerful voice. He's always spoken from his heart and he's going to be greatly missed."

Both Ross and Caribou worked out of the Graffiti Art Gallery, an inner city arts program. Ross said Caribou was not one to overlook beauty and managed to find it and create from it wherever he happened to be.

Patrick Ross, a friend and a fellow artist, credits Darryle Caribou for providing inspiration to create. (CBC)

Three of Caribou's last known paintings are on concrete sections of the bridge, close to where he was swept away.

Ross said Caribou was trying to make something of his life through his artwork but had a hard time with it because he lived on and off the street.

Ross wants to take pictures of his friend's last work to make sure there is a lasting memory.

According to police, the 30-year-old man who jumped into the river — prompting Caribou to go in after him — initially struggled with the current but managed to find his way to a concrete platform and pull himself out.

Members of the Winnipeg police river patrol unit and the fire department water rescue unit searched the river on Friday for Caribou but were unsuccessful in locating him.

His body was pulled out of the water Monday afternoon by emergency crews near the Provencher Bridge, downstream from the Queen Elizabeth Way Bridge.