New Hampshire authorities said the second victim in the Seabrook Beach water rescue died early Monday morning.
N.H. Marine Patrol said the husband and wife from Methuen, Mass., were pulled out of the water after good samaritans came to the aid of six swimmers struggling in choppy ocean surf.
Police identifed the couple as 49-year-old Michael Cote and 47-year-old Laura Cote.
Mr. Cote was rushed to Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, where he was pronounced dead Sunday night.
Mrs. Cote was taken to Portsmouth Hospital with life-threatening injuries. She died early Monday morning.
The other four swimmers were uninjured.
Police said a good samaritan helped the six swimmers get to shore, as Marine Patrol, Coast Guard, and members of the Seabrook and Hampton fire departments responded to the scene.
Choppy conditions appear to have played a factor, according to Marine Patrol.
(This post was updated Monday with information on the second drowning victim.)