Two teenage brothers, Wesley and Andruw Cornett, have been missing for over a week in Northern California after going duck hunting in stormy weather on Dec. 14. They were hunting at the Thermatilo Afterbay, a large body of water in Butte County with 17 miles of shoreline and 4,300 surface acres of water. Approximately 250 people from 21 different organizations have been searching for the brothers since they went missing. Search efforts began the same day the teenagers disappeared, with various agencies responding to reports that one of the brothers had overturned on a kayak and the other had swum into the water to try and help.
Rescuers have been searching through thousands of acres of land by boat, ground, and raft to find the missing brothers. The challenging terrain includes weed-covered water at the base of Thermatilo Afterbay, making it difficult for search teams to navigate. Heavy rain and winds in Butte County have also complicated search efforts, with about 5,000 people losing power due to the storm. Despite these challenges, search teams have been working tirelessly to locate Wesley and Andruw Cornett.
The boys’ mother, April Clark, created a GoFundMe page called “Help April Clark Find and Honor Her Sons” to raise money for search efforts and eventual funeral expenses. Clark described the events leading up to her sons’ disappearance, with Wesley overturning on the kayak and Andruw attempting to save him before they both went missing. She shared her devastation over the situation, emphasizing the heroic actions of Andruw in trying to rescue his brother. The sheriff’s office has now shifted the search to a “recovery” mission, and Clark is seeking support from the community to find closure for her family.
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office provided updates on the search efforts through Facebook posts, detailing the high-tech measures being used to locate the missing teenagers. Various organizations and agencies have come together to coordinate search operations, with thousands of acres of land and water being scoured for any sign of the brothers. Jeff Eggleson of Big Valley Divers highlighted the difficulty of navigating the weed-covered water at Thermatilo Afterbay, underscoring the challenges faced by rescuers in the search mission.
As the search continues, the community has rallied around the Cornett family, offering support through donations and messages of encouragement. The tragic nature of the boys’ disappearance has shaken the family and the community, with efforts focused on bringing closure to the situation. The dedication of search teams and the outpouring of support from the public demonstrate the resilience and compassion of the community in times of crisis. The story of Wesley and Andruw Cornett’s disappearance serves as a reminder of the dangers and uncertainties faced in outdoor activities, reinforcing the importance of safety and preparedness in such pursuits.
