Cause of Death Revealed for Missing Man Found Under Neighbor’s Hilton Head Rental Home
Stanley Kotowski, who went missing from his family’s rental property on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, was found deceased 10 days later beneath a nearby home. Kotowski, who had been struggling with severe insomnia and paranoia, was last seen leaving the rental on August 16.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office discovered his body on Monday morning after investigating suspicious activity near a Sea Pines residence. According to a press release, officers found Kotowski’s remains in a crawlspace under the home, located “four houses down” from the rental property.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that Kotowski, 60, from Massachusetts, had exited the rental without personal belongings. His death has been ruled a suicide by asphyxiation due to hanging, with the coroner identifying the body. The sheriff noted that an apparatus was used to limit oxygen intake in the confined space where Kotowski was found.
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Kotowski’s wife, Jackie, told WJCL that her husband had been experiencing worsening anxiety and paranoia. She revealed that he had made troubling statements about believing the area was a “set up” and that people were watching him. Before leaving, Kotowski had asked her to “promise me you will go on without me.”
The sheriff emphasized the importance of attention to mental health, given the circumstances surrounding Kotowski’s death. For those struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) offers 24/7, confidential support.