1 p.m. update: Volunteer search for Stanley Kotowski has been canceled. Video released
Despite this weekend’s continued search efforts, Stanley Kotowski, the 60-year-old Hilton Head vacationer from Massachusetts who has been missing for eleven days, has still not been found.
Today, members of the community were asked to join in a search for the missing man but minutes before the scheduled search time was set to begin, organizers canceled the effort. When reached for an explanation, the organizer declined to provide a reason. Approximately 30 volunteers had turned out for the 1 p.m. effort.
Search helicopters and drones went up again this weekend in search of Kotowski. On the ground search efforts also continued into the weekend, from boat searches to door-knocking efforts, said Master Sgt. Danny Allen of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, the agency leading the search. The sheriff’s office is continuing to partner with security companies, businesses and property managers during the search to make sure that newly vacant units and security cameras are checked for signs of Kotowski.
Some businesses, Allen said, have never had to check their cameras, so it might take a bit longer to get that footage.
On Saturday, the sheriff’s office released video of Kotowski leaving his vacation rental on South Sea Pines Drive. It was the last confirmed sighting of the man, who has now been missing for over a week. The doorbell camera video, just over a minute long, shows Kotowski, barefoot, walking down the front steps to the condo and out onto the path toward the parking lot. Halfway through the video, Kotowski stands in the parking lot with his hands on his hips facing away from the rental. After a few seconds, he turns right and walks out of frame.
There have been no confirmed sightings of Kotowski since this video was captured around 9:30 a.m. Friday, August 16, said Allen.
According to Allen, the sheriff’s department’s search efforts today will be in and around the southern portion of Sea Pines. As always, tips or other leads will be followed as they become available. Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of Kotowski should call (843) 524-2777.
This story was originally published August 26, 2024 at 11:02 AM.
