Dad Vanishes While on Family Vacation
Desperate Search Underway in Hilton Head, South Carolina
In a disquieting turn of events, a father from Massachusetts has disappeared during a family vacation in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, triggering a desperate and extensive search by authorities and family members. Stanley Kotowski, the missing 60-year-old, vanished over a week ago bringing about a sense of dread to the scenic beach town.
A Wakeup Call to Tragedy
The Kotowski family, originally hailing from Boston, was over a thousand miles away from their home when disaster struck. During the early hours of their vacation, Stanley walked out of their rental property and hasn’t been seen since. His wife, Jackie, in an interview, expressed her growing concern for Stanley who had been suffering from severe insomnia and escalating anxiety leading up to the trip. She said, “Five in the morning, nine forty-five… he just walked out the door. His anxiety just kept getting worse and worse. And he started to get a little paranoid, thinking someone was chasing him.”
Worrying Signs and Desperate Pleas
The fact that Stanley left without his shoes or phone has only added to the family’s anxiety. Their son, Zak, appealed to his dad as well as the public saying, “You’re not in trouble, dad. We love you. Come home. We just want you home.” With every passing hour, the family’s hopes of locating Stanley are dwindling, but they continue to hold on to a shred of hope due to his physical health. Zak says, “He’s a strong person. He’s athletic. He could even in a delirious state, shoeless, get a few towns over.”
Community Comes Together in Search Operations
The missing person’s case has been taken over by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, who have cast a wide net in the search for Stanley. Using helicopters, drones, and canine units, the law enforcement is leaving no stone unturned. The only possible identifier for Stanley, as stated by the family is his distinctive Boston accent.
Waiting for a Miracle
The Kotowski family refuses to leave Hilton Head until Stanley is found. Jackie, her voice fraught with worry, mentioned, “I want to go home. I want to take him home.” They, likewise, call upon the community’s assistance urging anyone with security cameras at homes, businesses or public places to check their footage for any possible sighting of Stanley. “We can’t leave without him,” implores Zak, holding on to hope for his father’s safe return.
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.
