Hilton Head Island, South Carolina – Tragic Discovery Raises Concerns
Officials have confirmed the death of Stanley Kotowski, a 60-year-old man from Massachusetts, whose body was found on August 26, about ten days after he went missing from his family’s vacation home. His last known location was on South Sea Pines Drive, where surveillance footage captured him leaving around 10:30 a.m. on August 16, barefoot and without his phone or wallet.
Body Found in Craw Space
Kotowski’s body was discovered underneath a pair of townhomes at the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island. A security officer from the resort made the grim finding when he noticed an unpleasant odor and flies near one of the buildings. He promptly alerted the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, which led to the discovery of Kotowski’s body approximately 150 to 200 yards from where he was last seen.
Preliminary Autopsy Results
Authorities have reported that an autopsy conducted by the County Coroner, David Ott, determined the cause of death to be suicide by asphyxiation due to hanging. Sheriff P.J. Tanner stated that Kotowski is believed to have died on the same day he disappeared, although the exact timing of his death has not been established.
A Struggle with Anxiety
In a prior briefing, it was revealed by family members that Kotowski was dealing with severe anxiety and insomnia in the weeks leading up to his disappearance. His wife, Jackie Kotowski, recounted that her husband had become increasingly paranoid, expressing fears that resort staff were involved in a conspiracy against him.
Jackie noted that her husband mentioned feeling as though people were watching him and had told her to “promise me you will go on without me.” This snippet from their conversations has raised serious concerns for the family. They stated that he appeared not to have any cognitive decline, as he did not suffer from dementia.
Investigation Notes
The secluded location where Kotowski was found has led authorities to understand how it could easily be missed during searches. Sheriff Tanner explained that the area is “very secluded,” and the circumstances surrounding Kotowski’s departure without his personal belongings leave many questions unanswered.
Jackie had previously described the moment her husband went missing, saying that he “just walked out the door” and never returned. She also mentioned that he had been struggling with his mental health, particularly noting the “really bad insomnia” that plagued him for the month prior to his disappearance.
A Community in Shock
The revelation of Kotowski’s death has left the local community and visitors to the resort visibly shaken. The impact of mental health struggles and the tragic circumstances surrounding Kotowski’s final days highlight a pressing issue in our society.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or is struggling with mental health issues, help is available. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by dialing 988 or texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. It’s important to talk to someone who can help.
As investigations continue, the family and community are left to mourn the loss of a loved one and ponder the factors contributing to this tragic outcome.
