The Placer County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday said it will suspend emergency rescue operations at Northstar Ski Resort for missing skier Rory Angelotta.

It has been determined there is no realistic possibility Angelotta has survived the severe winter conditions. A scaled response is still planned for recovery operations at the resort.

The family on Friday released a statement through the Sheriff’s Office.

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“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,” it states. “Your prayers have given us strength through this difficult time; please continue to keep the family in your prayers.”

Over six days, a combined total of over 13,000 personnel hours were committed to this operation. Approximately 220 personnel from 17 different agencies and rescue organizations have braved extreme winter mountain conditions in their search. The search conditions included high winds, whiteout conditions, overnight temperatures in the teens, and over 7 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.

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We would like to thank the following organizations for their support:

The search-and-rescue operations of Tahoe Nordic, Placer County, Nevada County, Washoe County, Butte County, Marin County, Bay Area Mountain, Douglas County, Yosemite, as well as Northstar Ski Patrol, Tahoe Back County Ski Patrol, National Ski Patrol, Nevada Air National Guard, California Highway Patrol, Northstar California Ski Resort, and Northstar Fire.

This was a difficult decision, especially for the volunteers who have worked so hard to bring Angelotta home. Unfortunately, it was a decision that had to be made. Our hearts go out to the family.

Source: Placer County Sheriff’s Office