Bodies of Missing Kayakers Found in Florida, California

Dive teams recovered the body of a 21-year-old man from Lake Santa Fe on January 3, following a multi-agency search initiated after he fell from his kayak on January 1. The search involved personnel from several agencies, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, and concluded with the discovery of the victim approximately 300 yards from where he was last seen. In a separate incident, the bodies of two teenage brothers, 17-year-old Wesley Cornett and 19-year-old Andruw Cornett, were recovered from the Thermalito Afterbay in California after their kayak capsized during a duck hunting trip on December 14. Andruw's body was found on December 31, prompting a continued search for Wesley, whose body was discovered on January 5. The Butte County Sheriff's Office is conducting DNA analysis to confirm Wesley's identity, as the brothers had been reported missing following the incident. Family and community members have expressed their grief and support during this tragic time.