Body of Missing Man from Hilton Head Rental Found Underneath Nearby Home
The body of a man who went missing from a rental property in Hilton Head, South Carolina over a week ago, has been discovered tragically under a home in the same vicinity. The deceased individual is believed to be 60-year-old Stanley Kotowski who was last seen in the vicinity of South Sea Pines Drive on Friday, August 16, around 10:30 a.m.
Discovery of the Body
On Monday, August 26, around 11:30 a.m, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of suspicious activity at a Sea Pines home. Upon their arrival, the officers initiated an investigation, following which they made the horrifying discovery of a body hidden under the dwelling.
Investigation and Identification
The body was scheduled for an autopsy by the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office on Tuesday, August 27, to officially identify the deceased and ascertain the cause of his death. Although the identification process is underway, the family of the missing man, Stanley Kotowski, has confirmed to local media outlets that the remains are indeed his. They revealed that the body was found beneath a house just “four houses down” from where they had been staying.
A Series of Distressing Events
Upon his mysterious disappearance, Stanley Kotowski was seen leaving their vacation rental home, apparently barefoot, as captured by a doorbell camera. He did not carry any personal belongings with him, his wallet and cellphone left behind. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office had released the said footage in hopes to facilitate a more efficient search for the Massachusetts native.
On-going Investigation
Since the day of his unexpected disappearance, the Sheriff’s Office has continued the search for Mr. Kotowski. All possible methods and resources, including K9 units, helicopters, drones, boats, and foot patrols have been deployed in the pursuit. Other agencies and Sea Pines Security have also been contributing to the investigation.
A Disturbing Pattern and Rising Concerns
Stanley Kotowski’s wife, Jackie Kotowski, reported to WJCL that her husband had started showing signs of deteriorating mental health. She said, “He just walked out the door. He had really bad insomnia for about a month. He doesn’t have dementia. His anxiety just kept getting worse and worse and worse, and he started to get a little paranoid.”
Next Steps in the Investigation
As of now, there is no word whether or not Mr. Kotowski’s death is being treated as foul play, or merely a tragic accident resulting from his declining mental health. Further updates will follow as the investigation proceeds, and the official autopsy results are released.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
