Update: Body found in Hilton Head surf identified as NJ woman who drowned
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 3:30 p.m. Monday to include the victim’s name and cause of death.
A 50-year-old woman who was found dead in the surf of Hilton Head Island was identified as Aine Ni Cheallaigh of New Jersey, according to the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office.
Chief Deputy Coroner Shane Bowers said Cheallaigh had drowned near Collier Beach Road sometime between Saturday and Sunday. Based on her autopsy, he said, no foul play was expected.
Deputies responded to Singleton Beach — located east of the Hilton Head Resort and south of Folly Field Beach — just before 1 a.m. Sunday to find a woman in the surf who was wearing a wetsuit with a boogie board attached to her ankle.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, deputies said. Police said at the time that the death did not appear to be suspicious.
This story was originally published May 18, 2025 at 5:19 PM.
