Butte County Search and Rescue combs the waters of the Feather River during the seven-day search for Julio Gutierrez. Photo courtesy of Butte County Search and Rescue

BUTTE COUNTY, CA (MPG) - The search for missing Oroville man Julio Gutierrez, 22, has ended after his body was located in the Feather River.

Gutierrez was first reported missing on Aug. 18 when he failed to return home after attending an event in Biggs. Law enforcement conducted a search, and after finding evidence of an accident on Larkin Road, located his vehicle in the water near the Afterbay Release Staton.

Butte County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue, and dedicated volunteers, including a professional diver who came to the family’s aid, searched for Gutierrez until his body was located Saturday afternoon, Aug. 24.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office reported that through DNA analysis, the body was confirmed to be that of Gutierrez.

Butte County Search and Rescue shared in an online post that “during the seven-day search, our team never lost faith that we would eventually locate Julio. Our volunteers dedicated 327.5-man hours and searched hundreds of miles of Feather River shoreline. C3 certified water search dogs were requested through the CalOES Mutual Aid System, and three handlers from Yuba County Search & Rescue responded and assisted our marine unit.”

Surrounding communities have rallied around the family in support both during the search and afterwards.

Friends and family have organized a car wash fundraiser to be held Sunday, Sept. 1 at Paredes Squeaky Clean in Gridley. The establishment is located on the corner of Highway 99 and Sycamore Street. Tamales will also be sold, with all fundraiser proceeds to support funeral expenses.