Officials Suspend Search for Lost Skier at Northstar

Following a nearly weeklong search for Rory Angelotta, who is believed to have gotten lost skiing at Northstar on Christmas Day, officials have suspended the rescue operations. It has been determined there is no realistic possibility Rory has survived the severe winter conditions.

Over six days, a combined total of over 13,000 personnel hours has been committed to this operation. Approximately 220 personnel from 17 different agencies and rescue organizations have braved extreme winter mountain conditions in their search for Rory. The search conditions included high winds, whiteout conditions, overnight temperatures in the teens, and over seven feet of new snow since the beginning of the search. Resources deployed included Nordic skiers, snowshoers, snowcats, snowmobiles, a Blackhawk helicopter, and a CHP helicopter deploying advanced aerial borne radar technology.

Rory’s family made a statement on the suspended search operations:

“The Angelotta family would like to express our deep gratitude for all those who have and will continue to aid in the search, rescue, and recovery of our son, brother, cousin, nephew, and uncle. Your prayers have given us strength through this difficult time; please continue to keep the family in your prayers.”

Rory Angelotta, 43, of Truckee told the reporting party he was going to go skiing before having Christmas dinner with friends. When Angelotta did not show up for dinner, his friends called to report him overdue. Two days later, there is still no sign of the lost skier.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office responded and immediately dispatched additional emergency resources, including Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Nevada County Search and Rescue, and Northstar Ski Patrol. The investigation revealed that around 11:30 a.m., Angelotta’s ski pass was scanned at the Comstock lift. There was no other activity registered to his pass since that time. An emergency ping on Angelotta’s phone last showed a short call made from the Northstar area at 11:25 a.m. before his phone was turned off. Angelotta’s vehicle was also found parked in the Northstar parking lot.

RIP Rory. Donations can be made to the Aneglotta family here.

Active NorCal

Telling the Stories of Northern California

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