Local News
Search For Andruw and Wesley Cornett: Body Recovered from Thermalito Afterbay
The identity of the recovered body has not yet been confirmed, pending notification of the Cornett family.
Butte County, CA – The search for two teenage brothers who disappeared while duck hunting on December 14 has taken a tragic turn.
On Tuesday morning, a body was recovered from the Thermalito Afterbay, where the two brothers were last seen.
Andruw Cornett, 19, and Wesley Cornett, 17, vanished during a hunting trip when Wesley’s kayak capsized while he attempted to retrieve a downed duck.
Witnesses reported that Andruw, from the shore, immediately entered the frigid waters to rescue his younger brother. Despite his efforts, neither brother has been seen or heard from since.
On Tuesday at approximately 9:30 a.m., a Butte County Sheriff’s Office helicopter identified a body in the water.
However, recovery operations were briefly interrupted when an unauthorized drone flew too close to the helicopter, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing.
The Sheriff’s Office issued a stern warning that drone interference in such operations is unlawful and may result in criminal charges.
The identity of the recovered body has not yet been confirmed, pending notification of the Cornett family.
The brothers’ disappearance occurred under difficult weather conditions. High winds and rough water created hazardous whitecaps on the afterbay, complicating their duck-hunting expedition.
Wesley’s kayak overturned as he attempted to retrieve a duck. Andruw, witnessing the incident, dialed 911 before plunging into the cold waters to assist his brother. Tragically, neither returned to shore.
The local community has been deeply impacted by the loss. Friends and family of the Cornett brothers have gathered in solidarity, hoping for closure as the search continues.
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to the investigation and search efforts. Authorities continue to survey the area and urge the public to avoid interfering with ongoing recovery operations.
Further updates will be released as more information becomes available.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.