Massachusetts Man Disappears on Family Vacation in Hilton Head, Search Underway
Hilton Head, South Carolina: A worrying situation is unfolding as Stanley Kotowski, a 60-year-old Massachusetts man, has mysteriously disappeared during his family vacation on Hilton Head Island on Friday. It’s speculated that his sudden absence might be related to a worsening mental health state, leading to intensified search efforts by local law enforcement.
Kotowski Departed Vacation Home Without Shoes or Cell Phone
Stanley was last seen around the family’s vacation rental on the morning of August 16th, leaving the premises without shoes, his cell phone, or wallet. The concerning details were shared via a Facebook post from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. Stanley’s relatives from Methuen, near Boston, expressed anxiety over his mental health, citing his recent struggles with insomnia and rising paranoia, fearing someone was pursuing him.
In a media interview, Stanley’s spouse, Jackie Kotowski, mentioned, “He had, like, really bad insomnia for about a month. His anxiety just kept getting worse and worse and worse. And he started to get a little paranoid. He thought someone was chasing him.” His son, Zak Kotowski, also highlighted Stanley’s otherwise robust health and athletic nature, which could facilitate his travel even in a disoriented state.
Elevated Search Actions for Kotowski
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has since engaged in an extensive search, utilizing canines, drones, and helicopters to locate Stanley. The search operation on the ground and in the air — combing backyards, residential zones, and forested areas — continued into Tuesday afternoon, as per the Sheriff’s Office’s latest update on Facebook. Firefighters have also become part of the search endeavor.
To aid the search on a national level, Stanley’s data has been inserted into national databases and distributed to state-wide agencies.
The missing man, Stanley, was last spotted in a dark Coors light t-shirt, dark blue or black shorts, and without shoes. He is characterized as 6 feet in height, approximately 200 pounds, with short brown hair, brown eyes, and dons a strong Boston accent.
Investigators have latched onto a clue collected from a local resident’s Ring camera, pleading with surrounding neighbours to inspect their security footage for possible leads on Stanley’s disappearance. Information on Stanley’s whereabouts can be conveyed to Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office’s non-emergency line at 843-524-2777.

Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
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