The disappearance and subsequent discovery of Stanley Kotowski, a 60-year-old Massachusetts resident, has come to a somber conclusion in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
According to Fox News, South Carolina authorities have determined that Kotowski died by suicide, with the official cause listed as asphyxiation by hanging.
Kotowski vanished on August 16 during a family vacation, leading to a 10-day search that ended with the revelation of his cause of death. The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office located Kotowski's remains beneath a Sea Pines residence on Monday, August 26.
Beaufort County Coroner David Ott released the findings on Tuesday, bringing closure to the mysterious disappearance that had gripped the community and Kotowski's family for over a week.
Stanley Kotowski was reportedly suffering from insomnia and anxiety when he left his family's vacation rental in Hilton Head on the morning of August 16. Ring doorbell footage, released by the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, captured Kotowski leaving the property barefoot and appearing disoriented.
Jackie Kotowski, Stanley's wife, shared with local news that her husband had been experiencing severe insomnia for about a month prior to the incident. She noted that while he didn't have dementia, his anxiety had been escalating, leading to paranoid thoughts about their surroundings in Sea Pines.
According to a sheriff's office report, Jackie told deputies that Stanley had expressed beliefs about Sea Pines being a "set up" and harbored suspicions that people were "out to get him." These statements provide insight into Kotowski's state of mind in the hours before his disappearance.
Lt. Eric Calendine of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office detailed the discovery process during a Tuesday evening press conference. The breakthrough came when a Sea Pines security officer detected a foul odor and noticed flies in a specific area during a routine canvas of the neighborhood.
Upon further investigation, authorities located a hatch near an outdoor shower on a deck, which provided access to the crawl space beneath a house. An officer had to navigate through the confined space before finally locating Kotowski's body.
Jackie Kotowski confirmed the tragic news in a Facebook post on Monday, expressing deep sorrow and thanking everyone who had participated in the search efforts. The family now faces the difficult task of processing their loss and moving forward.
The disappearance of Stanley Kotowski prompted a widespread community response in Hilton Head. Local authorities praised the collaborative efforts of residents and even out-of-state property owners who offered access to their properties to aid in the search.
The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office emphasized the crucial role played by the community in their investigation. This collective effort demonstrated the impact of public engagement in resolving cases of missing persons, even in a popular tourist destination like Hilton Head.
The tragic outcome of Stanley Kotowski's disappearance has brought attention to mental health issues and the importance of support systems, especially during what should have been a relaxing family vacation. Authorities found Kotowski's body in a crawl space beneath a Sea Pines home after a 10-day search. The coroner determined his death to be suicide by asphyxiation due to hanging. This case highlights the need for awareness and resources to address mental health concerns, even in seemingly idyllic settings.
