Authorities are continuing their search for two teenage brothers who disappeared during a duck hunting trip near Lake Oroville, California. Initially reported missing on December 14, 2023, Andruw Cornett, 19, and his younger brother Wesley Cornett, 17, set out for some hunting fun, but things took a tragic turn.
According to the Butte County Sheriff's Office, the brothers were hunting at the Thermalito Afterbay when disaster struck. Wesley's kayak flipped, prompting Andruw to make the courageous decision to jump in and help his brother. Unfortunately, neither boy was wearing life jackets, and after Andruw entered the water, they both vanished. The last communication received from Andruw was around 8:30 AM when he called dispatch to report the incident.
Immediately following the call, rescue teams sprang to action, deploying helicopters, drones, and canine units to aid their search. Ground surveys were also conducted as the agencies rallied to locate the boys. Over the days of extensive searching, personal items belonging to the brothers began to surface. For example, divers recovered Andruw's pants on December 17, Wesley's wallet on December 19, and later, Wesley's jacket along with his cellphone inside.
Despite the search being systematic and exhaustive, authorities faced overwhelming challenges, including rough terrains and overgrown vegetation, with some areas reaching heights of over 30 feet. With nearly 280 personnel working around the clock, the effort was grueling and often met with setbacks due to equipment malfunctions.
After ten long days of searching, the Butte County Sheriff's Office announced the transition from active search to recovery operations. The decision came after deploying the means of divers and sonar technology with no significant outcomes. They shared, "The search and recovery efforts for Andruw and Wesley Cornett have entered the tenth day at the Thermalito Afterbay. At this point, we have exhausted efforts with divers and sonar technology and will shift the focus to continued limited search methods, which will include surface searches via aircraft, drones, boats, on-shore vehicles, and K9s."
April Clark, the boys' mother, has taken this tragedy hard. Speaking out through various media, she described the incident as a "freak accident" and explained her heartbreaking situation, saying, "This is hard for me to write as I'm beyond broken. If you can please find it in your heart to donate and help our family find and lay my handsome two boys to rest, any amount of support will forever be blessed for our family." She has started a GoFundMe campaign titled "Help April Clark Find and Honor Her Sons," aimed at raising funds for search and recovery efforts as well as for funeral expenses.
The community has rallied around the Cornett family, offering support and assistance during this difficult time. Many have expressed their sympathy and solidarity with April Clark, hoping for the best outcome for the boys. Though the situation remains grim, many have not lost hope.
Authorities are changing their strategy but remain committed to locating the brothers and bringing closure to the Cornett family. The emotional toll of this event is significant, not just for April and her family, but for the community as they witness this tragedy unravel. Through the darkness, there remains the hope for answers and the possibility of laying the boys to rest with dignity.
