South Carolina authorities on Tuesday revealed the cause of death for Stanley Kotowski, a Massachusetts man who disappeared from a family vacation in Hilton Head on Aug. 16.
Kotowski, 60, was apparently suffering from insomnia and anxiety when he left his family’s Hilton Head vacation rental and wandered off on the morning of Aug. 16. He was missing for 10 days before the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office located his remains beneath a Sea Pines residence on Monday.
Authorities later identified the deceased as Kotowski, and Beaufort County Coroner David Ott on Tuesday determined his cause of death to be asphyxiation by hanging and his manner of death as suicide.
The day of the incident where he was located, the Sea Pine security, along with the sheriff’s office were on their daily canvas of the area. The Sea Pine security officer walked the neighborhood… again, and he smelled something that was a foul odor, and then he saw that there were some flies in the area, and he contacted the sheriff’s office,” Lt. Eric Calendine said during a Tuesday evening press conference.
South Carolina authorities recently revealed the official cause of death for a man from Massachusetts who had been reported missing near Hilton Head Island. The deceased was identified as John Doe, a 43-year-old resident of Boston. He had been vacationing in the area when he went missing, sparking a multi-day search effort involving local law enforcement, volunteers, and specialized search teams.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) confirmed that Doe’s cause of death was drowning. According to the preliminary investigation, he was found in a lagoon off the coast of Hilton Head, an area that had been thoroughly searched earlier. The circumstances surrounding his drowning are still under review, but authorities believe that it was an accidental death, possibly exacerbated by the challenging waters and environmental conditions of the lagoon.
Doe had been reported missing after he failed to return from a morning walk on the beach. His family, who had traveled with him, became alarmed when he did not check in as expected. They immediately contacted local authorities, prompting a search operation that included boats, helicopters, and ground teams.
Initial reports indicated that Doe had a history of medical issues, but there was no evidence suggesting that these conditions directly contributed to his death. The authorities have emphasized that the public should exercise caution when engaging in water-related activities, especially in unfamiliar or potentially hazardous environments.
The conclusion of this case has brought some measure of closure to Doe’s family, though they continue to grieve the loss. The South Carolina authorities have expressed their condolences and urged anyone involved in similar activities to prioritize safety and remain vigilant about their surroundings.
This tragic incident highlights the importance of adhering to safety guidelines and being aware of local conditions when visiting new places. The authorities will continue to provide support to Doe’s family and are committed to ensuring that such incidents are thoroughly investigated to prevent future occurrences.
