PLACER COUNTY, Calif. — Editor's note: The video in the player above is from a previously published reporting of this story.
Just one week after St. Ignatius grad and Cleveland-native Rory Angelotta went missing while skiing in California, law enforcement officials say that the search has been called off due to dangerous weather conditions.
"The Placer County Sheriff’s Office will be suspending emergency rescue operations at Northstar Ski Resort for missing skier Rory Angelotta" the Placer County Sheriff's Officer wrote in a statement on Facebook. "It has been determined there is no realistic possibility Rory has survived the severe winter conditions. A scaled response is still planned for recovery operations at the resort."
The law enforcement agency said that in the past week, more than 13,000 personnel hours have been committed to finding Angelotta and over 220 people joined the search efforts for the Northeast Ohio native. Unfortunately, due to high winds, low temps, and whiteout conditions, efforts to find the skier were made increasingly difficult.
"This was a difficult decision, especially for the volunteers who have worked so hard to bring Rory home. Unfortunately, it was a decision that had to be made. Our hearts go out to the family," the Facebook post went on to say.
On Friday, the Angelotta family shared the following message with the Placer County Sheriff's Office, which the law enforcement agency posted to their social media account:
“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.”
Additionally, the family asks that any donations in honor of Rory's life be made to the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue.
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