Rory Angelotta, 43, told friends he was going skiing before meeting up with them for Christmas dinner on December 25. When he did not arrive, his friends called to report him missing, Placer County officials said.
Angelotta’s disappearance kicked off a six-day search that saw the deployment of 220 personnel from 17 different agencies and rescue organizations, including volunteers with the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team and the Nevada County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue, authorities said.
Rescue teams suspended the search for Angelotta on December 30 after determining there was “no realistic possibility Rory has survived the severe winter conditions,” the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said. The search was met with “high winds, whiteout conditions, overnight temperatures in the teens, and over seven feet of new snow since the beginning of the search,” it said.
Angelotta’s body was found Saturday just north of the resort, officials said.
“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 the whiteout conditions on the 25th,” the Placer County Sheriff’s Office statement read. “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.”
Angelotta’s family released a statement saying they were “deeply touched by the overwhelming outpouring of prayers and support.”
“The Angelotta family … personally wants to thank everyone that accompanied in the search and assisted them during these last two weeks,” the statement read.
