The Final Days of Stanley Kotowski Uncovered
Stanley Kotowski, a 60-year-old Massachusetts native, was last seen departing his vacation rental home at the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island barefoot. Ten days following his sudden disappearance, he was found lifeless in a small crawlspace a few yards away from where he had last been seen.
According to information provided by his wife, Jackie Kotowski, Stanley had been struggling with worsening insomnia and anxiety over the preceding month. “He started to get a little paranoid,” she explained.
Evident Signs of Unrest
Reports suggest that Stanley grew increasingly apprehensive during his stay at the vacation resort, alleging unfounded conspiracies about being targeted and watched. “He believed that the resort was a ‘setup’ and that people were ‘out to get him'”, Jackie told local authorities, recounting Stanley’s heightened sense of vulnerability and panic.
Jackie suspected a mix of insomnia, anxiety, and paranoia had taken a toll on Stanley’s mental and emotional wellbeing. He reportedly expressed to her a strange request before his disappearance, imploring her to “Promise me you will go on without me.”
Barefoot and Untraceable
On the morning of August 16, Stanley vanished. His departure was spontaneous and unprepared – he did not carry his phone or wallet with him, only exiting with the clothes on his back and going barefoot. His exit was captured on a Ring doorbell camera, a grim and puzzling goodbye.
In the aftermath of his father’s disappearance, Zak Kotowski painted a picture of Stanley as an athletic, strong individual who could potentially cover a substantial distance, even in a disoriented state.
Search and Discovery
The sudden disappearance instigated an intensive search operation. Efforts spanned several days and maximized resources, employing K9 units, helicopter patrols, drones, boats, and foot patrols in the extensive search for Stanley.
Simultaneously, the community rallied together online on a Facebook page dedicated to Hilton Head Island. Members actively shared information, tips, missing posters, and contact data to assist with the search.
Despite the collective efforts, the result was heartbreaking. On Monday, August 26, Stanley Kotowski was discovered deceased in a small crawlspace beneath two townhomes in the resort. The discovery was prompted by a foul odor and fly infestation near the area. His remains’ location was reportedly 150 to 200 yards from where he was last spotted.
Poignant Aftermath
An autopsy confirmed that Stanley took his own life on the day of his disappearance. In a heartfelt message shared on Facebook, his wife Jackie mourned the immense loss, expressing gratitude to the community’s supporting masses during the relentlessly challenging period.
In the wake of Stanley’s tragic ending, this somber case underscores the prevalence and destructive capability of mental health issues, reminding us of the importance of addressing and treating such conditions deliberately and promptly.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or visit 988lifeline.org.
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.
