Massachusetts Man Found Dead In South Carolina, Suicide Confirmed
Stanley Kotowski, originally from Massachusetts, went missing on August 16 while staying at a vacation rental in Hilton Head, a popular tourist destination. Concerns grew quickly as Kotowski suffered from severe insomnia and anxiety, contributing to his increasingly paranoid behavior.
A Disturbing Disappearance
Days after his disappearance, Ring doorbell footage captured Kotowski leaving the rental property barefoot and in a state of confusion. This was the last time he was seen alive, triggering an extensive search by local authorities and community members.
On August 26, ten days after he was last seen, Kotowski’s body was found in a shocking location. The Beaufort County Coroner, David Ott, later confirmed the cause of death as asphyxiation by hanging, ruling it a suicide.
Tragic Discovery Under a Home
The discovery was made beneath a residence in Sea Pines, a known area of Hilton Head. The property, not far from Kotowski's rental, was investigated after security personnel noticed a foul odor and the presence of flies, which led them to a crawl space beneath the house.
Lt. Eric Calendine of the local police detailed the grim find. "We ended up finding a hatch by the outdoor shower on the deck itself, removed the hatch, an officer went down, took the flashlight around, didn't see anything at first, had to crawl through the crawl space to finally locate the body," he explained.
Community Efforts in the Search
The search efforts were community-wide, with both local residents and out-of-state property owners participating actively. The cooperation significantly aided the authorities in navigating the numerous properties in the search for Kotowski.
Jackie Kotowski, Stanley's wife, provided insight into her husband's mental state leading up to his disappearance. "He had really bad insomnia for about a month... His anxiety just kept getting worse and worse, and he started to get a little paranoid," she said.
Personal Struggles and Paranoia
Further revealing the depth of his distress, Jackie shared troubling details about her husband's perception of their vacation location. "Stanley believes Sea Pines is a 'set up' and has a conspiracy that the people here are out to get him," she told local news.
She also recalled a poignant conversation with her husband before his disappearance. "Promise me you will go on without me," Stanley told her, indicating his deep psychological turmoil.
Family Mourns a Devastating Loss
The community’s reaction to the discovery of Kotowski’s body was of shock and sorrow. Jackie Kotowski expressed her grief publicly, stating in a Facebook post, "It is with deep sorrow that I share the heartbreaking news that Stan has been found. Sadly, he is no longer with us."
She extended her gratitude towards everyone who contributed to the search efforts, acknowledging the overwhelming support they received during this difficult time. "Our hearts are heavy with grief as we begin to process this unimaginable loss," her post concluded.
A Community Binds Together in Tragedy
The Beaufort County authorities praised the collaborative spirit of the community and the helpfulness of both residents and non-residents during the search. Their efforts were crucial in bringing a tragic, albeit necessary resolution to the case.
Lt. Calendine summed up the communal effort: "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," illustrating the critical role of local vigilance.
