(LibertySociety.com) – Two teenage brothers from Northern California have been missing for more than a week after a duck hunting trip ended in tragedy during stormy weather on December 14. Wesley Cornett, 17, and Andruw Cornett, 19, vanished at the Thermalito Afterbay in Butte County, a large reservoir spanning 4,300 acres of water with 17 miles of shoreline.
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office has led an extensive search operation involving about 250 personnel from 21 organizations. In a statement, officials said efforts have been underway since the day the brothers went missing. Search teams have been using boats, rafts, and aerial resources, but the dense underwater vegetation has made the search exceptionally challenging.
According to reports, Wesley’s kayak overturned while the brothers were duck hunting. Andruw, seeing his brother struggling, called 911 before entering the water to help. Neither has been seen since. The sheriff’s office has now referred to the mission as a recovery effort, bringing heartbreak to the boys’ family and community.
Trevor Skaggs, a member of the Butte County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team, explained the difficulties they face in navigating the reservoir. The weed-covered water has created significant obstacles for divers and rescuers. Despite their determination, thousands of acres of the reservoir remain to be searched.
The boys’ mother, April Clark, is grappling with the loss and has started a GoFundMe campaign titled “Help April Clark Find and Honor Her Sons.” In her emotional appeal, she shared the harrowing details of the incident and praised Andruw for his bravery in trying to save Wesley.
“My two handsome sons went hunting Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Wesley, 17, went out on the kayak and overturned, and his brother Andruw, 19, seen him in distress called 911 and stated there was no time to wait, he was going in to save his brother. Neither one of my boys have been seen since Saturday. Andruw is a hero in my eyes,” Clark wrote.
The funds raised will go toward continuing the search and eventually covering funeral expenses. Clark also highlighted the emotional toll on her family, including the four younger daughters still at home.
“This is hard for me to write as I’m beyond broken into so many pieces,” she wrote. “If you can please find it in your heart to donate and help our family find and lay my handsome two young boys to rest, any amount of support will forever be blessed for our family.”
The disappearance of the brothers has deeply impacted the local community, with many expressing support for the family as search efforts continue. Rescuers remain committed to recovering Wesley and Andruw to bring closure to their grieving loved ones.
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