Body of man missing during vacation is believed to have been found

Authorities in South Carolina have announced that they believe they have located the body of a Massachusetts man who went missing while on vacation with his family on Hilton Head Island. The individual, Stanley Kotowski, age 60, was last seen leaving his family’s rental home in Sea Pines on the morning of August 16.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office reported that Kotowski’s body was discovered under a home in the Sea Pines area on Monday. Deputies were called to the property around 11:30 a.m. ET after reports of suspicious activity, and the body was recovered about four hours later.

In a statement, the sheriff’s office confirmed the recovery and indicated that the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death and confirm the identity of the deceased.

The sheriff’s office expressed gratitude for the support received from various agencies, Sea Pines Security, and the local community during the search for Kotowski. Family members had reported him missing just two hours after he was last spotted, with concerns heightened due to his mental state and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

Master Sergeant Daniel Allen of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office noted that Kotowski was classified as endangered. This designation was based on his mental health condition, the duration of time he had been missing, and the fact that he was last seen on a Ring camera without shoes.

According to the incident report, Kotowski’s wife, Jackie, informed deputies that her husband had been exhibiting paranoid behavior. She described his thoughts about Sea Pines, saying that he believed it was a “set up” and expressed feelings that people in the area were “out to get him.” Furthermore, she mentioned that Kotowski had voiced concerns about being watched by others.

Family members had shared that Kotowski had been experiencing significant anxiety leading up to his disappearance. His wife, Jackie Kotowski, told local news affiliate WJCL that he suffered from severe insomnia for about a month prior to the vacation and described the situation as a new and troubling development. “He doesn’t have dementia. His anxiety just kept getting worse and worse,” she explained, noting that her husband had started to feel paranoid and believed someone was pursuing him.

On the day he went missing, Kotowski did not take any personal belongings, such as his phone or wallet. This lack of items further fueled concerns for his safety during the search efforts.

The tragic event has left the family and the community in mourning, as they remember Kotowski and the panic that his sudden disappearance brought. His family’s struggle with his mental health issues in the days leading up to his disappearance adds to the poignancy of the situation.

As the investigation continues, the sheriff’s office is expected to release more details following the autopsy results. Those involved in the search have emphasized the importance of community support in such cases and the collective desire for a resolution.

In the wake of this tragedy, mental health awareness is becoming a crucial aspect of conversations surrounding missing persons, as families navigate the complexities of their loved ones’ mental challenges alongside the distressing circumstances of their disappearances. The community is urged to remain vigilant and supportive to help address these issues.

Source: ABC News