The search and recovery efforts for Andruw and Wesley Cornett have entered the tenth day at the Thermalito Afterbay. At this point in the recovery, we have exhausted efforts with divers and sonar technology and will shift the focus to a continuous limited search. This involves surface search methods, which includes aircrafts, drones, boats, on-shore vehicles, and K9s.
A detailed overview of all the search and recovery efforts to this point can be found on the Butte County Sheriff’s Office website, www.buttecounty.net/sheriff.
The search for 19-year-old Andruw “Dru” Cornett and 17-year-old Wesley “Wes” Cornett continues Tuesday with the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, volunteer divers, and rescue teams scouring the Thermalito Afterbay area.
The brothers’ parents, Henry Combs and April Clark, are camping out at the Thermalito Afterbay and asking for additional volunteer divers to assist in the search efforts.
If you’re able to help please call Butte County Sheriff’s Office at 530-538-7322 for instructions and more information.
INCIDENT DETAILS
- Circumstances: On Saturday, December 14, Andruw “Dru” Cornett, 19, and Wesley “Wes” Cornett, 17, were duck hunting in the Thermalito Afterbay area when Wes’s kayak overturned while retrieving a duck.
- 911 Call: Dru called 911 at approximately 8:39 a.m. to report the incident. He informed dispatch that he was leaving his cell phone on shore and going into the water to save his brother.
- The boys’ personal belongings, cell phone, kayak and dog were found in the area where Dru’s cell phone pinged.
- Search Efforts: Despite Dru’s efforts, there has been no sign of the brothers since the incident, and an extensive search operation is ongoing.
SEARCH TEAMS INVOLVED
The search operation has involved multiple agencies and teams, including:
- Butte County Sheriff’s Office
- California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA)
- Yuba County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue
- Marine Unit and Dive Team members
- San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit
- Nevada County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- CAL FIRE
Please refrain from criticizing and instead offer prayers and well wishes for the safe return of the missing brothers.
