Mystery as Missing Mass. Man’s Body Found Under South Carolina House

The body of a Massachusetts man has been found underneath a house in South Carolina, sparking questions as to what happened.

South Carolina authorities say they believe the body is that of 60-year-old Stanley Kotowski, who went missing while on vacation on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He was last seen in the South Sea Pines Drive area on August 16.

At 3:30 p.m. on August 26, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office discovered the body underneath a house also in the South Sea Pines area. The discovery was made after a report of suspicious activity at the 5,000-acre gated community on the morning of August 26.

Following the news of the body being found, Stanley Kotowski’s wife, Jackie Kotowski, posted on Facebook: “It is with deep sorrow that I share the heartbreaking news that Stan has been found. Sadly, he is no longer with us. Our hearts are heavy with grief as we begin to process this unimaginable loss.

“Zak, Ryan [Jackie and Stanley’s sons] and I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who offered their support, shared information, and helped in the search efforts. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us during this incredibly difficult time.”

An autopsy by the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office will positively identify the body and determine cause of death.

Newsweek has emailed the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office for more information.

Of his disappearance, Jackie Kotowski told WJCL 22 News: “He just walked out the door. He had really bad insomnia for about a month. He doesn’t have dementia. His anxiety just kept getting worse and worse and worse, and he started to get a little paranoid. He thought someone was chasing him.”

On her personal Facebook page, Jackie added that her husband was not a fan of the ocean in Hilton Head and of late had become concerned about “exposure to the sun, jellyfish and sharks.”

In the days after he went missing, Jackie wrote on her Facebook page that the current theory was he was taking shelter and hiding nearby.

Kotowski was last seen wearing a dark Coors Light T-shirt, dark blue or black shorts and no shoes. He did not have a phone or a wallet on him when he went missing.

Ring doorbell camera footage released by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office showed Kotowski dressed in these same clothes and barefoot leaving his vacation rental at 10:30 a.m. on August 16.

Posts by Jackie Kotowski on her personal Facebook page show there was also a sighting of Kotowski at The Salty Dog restaurant and recreation facility on August 16.

The 11-day search for Kotowski included helicopters, boats, drones, foot patrons and canine units.