Searchers recover body of missing skier Rory Angelotta

PLACER COUNTY, Calif. - Volunteers with the Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team and Nevada County Sheriff's Search & Rescue located the body of missing skier Rory Angelotta on Saturday morning at 10:42 a.m.

The sheriff's office said the 43-year-old was found approximately one-half mile from a residential neighborhood at Schaffer Mill Creek, north of Northstar Ski Resort where the Truckee resident went missing on Christmas Day.

The search teams, with assistance from a rescue canine from the California Rescue Dog Association, were conducting a recovery search for Angelotta. An active search was suspended on December 30 due to extreme conditions after there was no evidence of the missing man's location.

Angelotta had traveled a considerable distance from the ski resort boundaries and the backside of the resort, where searchers believed Angelotta had gotten lost during whiteout conditions on the 25th.

It is possible Angelotta was attempting to find the neighborhood near Truckee when he succumbed to the elements. There was no indication of any suspicious or unusual activity. Due to the considerable distance Angelotta had traveled from the resort it was not included in the original emergency search efforts.

"We offer our condolences to the family and hope that this will provide them closure to this tragic event," said the Placer County Sheriff's Office in a statement.

The following is a statement from Rory's family:

“The Angelotta family is deeply touched by the overwhelming outpouring of prayers and support during this extremely difficult time and personally wants to thank everyone that accompanied in the search and assisted them during these last two weeks.”