Massachusetts Man Goes Missing While on Family Vacation in Hilton Head
Stanley Kotowski, 60, Mysteriously Disappears from Hilton Head Vacation Home
A distressing search operation is underway for Stanley Kotowski, a 60-year-old Massachusetts man, who went missing on Friday while on a family vacation in South Carolina. Kotowski abruptly departed from the family’s rental vacation home on Hilton Head Island and has since disappeared. His immediate family have expressed concerns that his sudden disappearance may be due to a mental health crisis, as stated by his wife.
Despite rigorous efforts by local law enforcement in Beaufort County, where Hilton Head Island is located, they have been unsuccessful in locating Kotowski.
Left Vacation Rental Without Shoes and Mobile Phone
According to his family and local law enforcement, Kotowski was last seen on the morning of Aug. 16 exiting the vacation rental. He left without his shoes, mobile phone, and wallet. His family, who hail from Methuen near Boston, indicated in various interviews that he has been grappling with anxiety recently.
His wife, Jackie Kotowski, mentioned his worsening condition, saying “He had, like, really bad insomnia for about a month. His anxiety just kept getting worse and worse. And he started to get a little paranoid. He thought someone was following him.”
Despite his mental health struggles, his son, Zak, maintained that his father was otherwise healthy. Zak Kotowski stated “He’s a strong person, he’s athletic. Even in a delirious state, without shoes, he could get a few towns over.”
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Undertakes Extensive Search for Kotowski
The county’s sheriff office has been relentless in its search for Kotowski. They have utilized canines, drones, and helicopters in their efforts to locate him. They have been joined in their search by local firefighters who have combed residential and wooded areas.
Kotowski’s description has been distributed nationally and to agencies statewide. He was last seen wearing a dark Coors light T-shirt, dark-colored blue or black shorts without shoes. He stands at 6 feet tall, weighs around 200 pounds, with short brown hair and brown eyes. His family added that he has a distinctive Boston accent.
Request for Public Assistance
Since the last sighting of Kotowski was caught on a local resident’s security camera, investigators are now urging people in the area to examine their home surveillance footage for any clues regarding his whereabouts. Anyone who has information related to Kotowski’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the non-emergency line of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office at 843-524-2777.
This delicate situation serves as a reminder of the critical importance of care and awareness for mental health, especially in times of personal crisis.
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
