In a heart-wrenching story of bravery and loss, two teenage brothers from California have been missing for over a week following a duck hunting trip that ended in tragedy. Wesley Cornett, 17, and Andruw Cornett, 19, vanished on December 14 while hunting at Thermalito Afterbay in Butte County. Reports indicate that Wesley’s kayak overturned, prompting Andruw to leap into action in an attempt to rescue his younger brother.
What began as a cherished outdoor tradition has turned into a desperate search and recovery effort that has gripped their community. On December 23, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office provided a grim update: “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.”
The ongoing operation now relies on surface methods, including aircraft, drones, boats, on-shore vehicles, and K9 units. Despite the shift, the resolve of the community remains strong.
Over 250 volunteers from 21 organizations have joined the effort to locate the brothers. The search has become a testament to the resilience and unity of a close-knit community determined to support the family through their darkest hour.
April Clark, the boys’ mother, shared her heartbreak and pride through a GoFundMe page. In her plea, she recounted the tragic sequence of events: “Wesley, 17, went out on the kayak and overturned. His brother Andruw, 19, saw 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.”
Her words underscore the heroism of Andruw, who acted without hesitation to save his younger sibling. “Andruw is a hero in my eyes,” she wrote.
April Clark drives 45 miles each day to join the search while juggling the responsibilities of caring for her four daughters at home. Her anguish is palpable as she faces the unimaginable. “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.”
In an inspiring show of generosity, the boys’ grandmother’s employer, Toyota Amphitheater, has pledged to match every dollar donated to the fundraiser. This matching effort has brought renewed hope to the family, with April expressing profound gratitude: “This community is amazing. Thank you all so much.”
The tragedy of Wesley and Andruw Cornett’s disappearance is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the extraordinary bonds of family. Andruw’s selfless act embodies the spirit of heroism, even in the face of unthinkable danger.
As the search continues, the Cornett family remains in the prayers of their community and beyond. In the words of April Clark, “We could not have made it this far without all the love we have received.” May their strength and faith guide them through this unfathomable loss.
