In a heartbreaking turn of events, Massachusetts man Stanley Kotowski, who went missing during a family vacation in Hilton Head, South Carolina, on August 16, has been found dead. The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office discovered Kotowski's remains beneath a Sea Pines residence after an extensive 10-day search. Authorities later revealed that the cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation by hanging, and the manner of death has been ruled as suicide.

Stanley Kotowski, 60, reportedly suffered from insomnia and anxiety, which led him to wander off from his family's Hilton Head vacation rental on the fateful morning of August 16. Despite extensive search efforts, it took the sharp senses of a Sea Pine security officer, who noticed a foul odor and flies in the area, to lead authorities to the location of Kotowski's body.

The discovery was no easy task, as officers had to search through the crawl space beneath the house, accessing it through a hatch near the outdoor shower on the deck. Lt. Eric Calendine of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office described the challenging search process, highlighting the officer's perseverance to locate the body.

Ring doorbell footage, released by the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, captured Kotowski leaving his family's Hilton Head rental residence on the same day he disappeared. In the video, the 60-year-old can be seen walking out of the front door barefoot. His behavior appears confused as he pauses in the middle of the street, looking around before continuing on.

Kotowski's wife, Jackie, shared her husband's unsettling beliefs with authorities, stating that he believed Sea Pines was a "set up" and that people in the area were out to get him. The WJCL news outlet obtained a report from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, which revealed that Stanley had asked Jackie to promise him to carry on without him before leaving their rental property.

On Monday, Jackie took to Facebook to share the heartbreaking news, expressing her deep sorrow and grief over the loss of her husband. She expressed gratitude to the community, including out-of-state property owners who offered their support and allowed search efforts to be conducted on their premises.

During a press conference, Beaufort County authorities extended their appreciation for the collective effort put forth by the community in searching for Stanley Kotowski. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and support, as well as the devastating impact that mental health struggles can have on individuals and their loved ones.

As the community mourns the loss of Stanley Kotowski, his family and friends are left grappling with the unimaginable. May they find strength and solace during this difficult time.