Beaufort Co. coroner confirms missing man found dead, cause of death

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) – A press conference was held Tuesday to give an update on the disappearance and death of 60-year-old Stanley Kotowski.

Kotowski was reported missing after he was last seen on August 16. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said Kotowski’s body was recovered around 3:30 p.m. Monday afternoon.

The Sheriff’s Office say he and his family traveled to the Sea Pines area from Massachusetts on August 11 for vacation.

His family told law enforcement he was feeling paranoid and seeking help for his mental health.

Kotowski was last seen leaving their Sea Pines vacation villa on August 16 on ring doorbell footage, barefoot and in a gray shirt.

Local businesses shared security video to help law enforcement to attempt to track Kotowski. DNR came in and helped search the sea and air.

Law enforcement also canvased the area on foot and gathered video from surveillance cameras from residents in the area.

Law enforcement was on their daily canvas on August 26 when they smelled a foul odor. After searching, they found a hatch under a villa and found Kotowski’s body. The area where his body was recovered was about 150 to 200 yards from where he was last seen on video.

The coroner confirms the body recovered had the same clothes on that Kotowski had on the last day he was seen and was able to positively identify him.

The coroner says his cause of death is suicide by asphyxiation. The coroner believes Kotowski died on August 16, the day he went missing. His time of death is unknown.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office says when they found Kotowski’s body, they were investigating the death of a construction worker in that area. The coroner says they do not have more information at this time.

You can watch the press conference below. We do want to warn you, some of the information could be disturbing to viewers.

Warning signs of suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die
• Looking for a way to kill oneself
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious, agitated, or recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or feeling isolated
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Displaying extreme mood swings

What to do:

• Do not leave the person alone
• Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt
• Call, text or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988
• Take the person to an emergency room, or seek help from a medical or mental health professional

Who can help:

• The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
  • A free, 24/7 confidential service that can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or those around them, with support, information, and local resources.
• The Veteran Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line: 988, then press 1
  • The Veteran Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line connects veterans and service members in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat or text.
• Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
  • This free text-message service provides 24/7 support to those in crisis. Text 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor right away.

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