The bodies of 17-year-old Wesley Cornett, left, and 19-year-old Andruw Cornett have both been recovered. Photo courtesy of the Butte County Sheriff's Office

THERMALITO, CA (MPG) - On Dec. 31, a Butte County Sheriff’s Office pilot was flying in the Thermalito Afterbay area, as part of the continuous search for Andruw Cornett, 19, and Wesley Cornett, 17. The teenage brothers have been missing since Dec. 14, after duck hunting at the Afterbay.

At approximately 9:30 a.m. Dec. 31, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office pilot spotted a body in the north side of the Afterbay, within the original search area. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and Butte County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue immediately responded and recovered the body. The decedent has been positively identified as Andruw Cornett and next-of-kin has been notified.

During the recovery, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office pilot was forced to land, due to a drone flying extremely close to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office helicopter.

On Jan. 5, at approximately 9:12 a.m., a citizen walking on the west bank of the Thermalito Afterbay, just south of the Highway 162 bridge, spotted a body in the water and called 911. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit was on the water at the time as part of the limited continuous search for missing duck hunter Wesley Cornett.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit immediately responded and recovered the body. Through DNA analysis, the body was positively identified as Wesley Cornett. We send our condolences to the family and friends of Wesley and Andruw Cornett during this devastating time. We would also like to thank the many allied agencies and volunteers who assisted in the search.

Anyone with any additional information or questions is urged to contact the Butte County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit at 530-538-7671.