Body Recovered in Search for Missing Teen Brothers in Butte County
Butte County, CA – The search for two teenage brothers who vanished while duck hunting on December 14 has taken a tragic turn.
On Tuesday morning, a body was discovered in the Thermalito Afterbay, the location where 19-year-old Andruw Cornett and 17-year-old Wesley Cornett were last seen.
The brothers disappeared during a hunting trip when Wesley’s kayak capsized as he tried to retrieve a downed duck. Witnesses reported that Andruw, who was on the shore, immediately entered the cold waters to rescue his younger brother. Neither sibling has been seen or heard from since.
At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, a Butte County Sheriff’s Office helicopter spotted a body in the water. However, the recovery operation was briefly disrupted by an unauthorized drone, which flew dangerously close to the helicopter and forced the pilot to make an emergency landing. Authorities warned that interfering with rescue efforts is illegal and could lead to criminal charges.
The identity of the recovered body has not been confirmed, pending notification of the Cornett family.
The tragic incident occurred under challenging weather conditions, with high winds and rough water creating dangerous whitecaps on the afterbay. Wesley’s overturned kayak set off the sequence of events, and Andruw reportedly called 911 before entering the frigid waters in an attempt to save his brother.
The local community has been deeply affected by the tragedy. Friends and family have gathered to support one another, hoping for closure as the search continues.
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to the investigation and recovery efforts. Officials are continuing to survey the area and have urged the public to avoid any interference with ongoing operations.
Further updates will be provided as new information emerges.
