HILTON HEAD, Ga. (WTOC) – After days of searching, Beaufort County authorities on Monday found the body of 60-year-old Stanley Kotowski, who went missing on the 16th, sparking an outpouring of love from area residents and visitors alike.
This is not the outcome any of us wanted to hear. 60-year-old Stanley Kotowski had been struggling with mental health issues prior to his disappearance and before his body was discovered on Monday after he committed suicide. Many community members had rallied together to help and locate Stanley during the search, and they were heartbroken to hear this outcome.
“We care about the people who come here. They're not just tourists. They're part of the island,” said Orchid Pohlmeyer, owner of One Hot Mama's restaurant.
Andy Gudgeon helped with the community outreach and search effort. “I couldn't believe how many people showed up, just seeing people walking and biking from far away,” he said.
People like Andy helped with search efforts while Stanley was missing, and the community support has reverberated throughout the past week and a half in and around Hilton Head, she said, and that's what makes this community so great.
“It was just so amazing and heartwarming to see the tears welling up in their eyes. Well, this is a really special place and our guests here are a part of the island and we love having them here,” Gudgeon said. “I think we've all been affected in some way by mental illness and the despair of not being able to find a loved one. Everyone was so dedicated and of course we get a lot of tourists every year in Hilton Head and it's a very popular vacation destination but I think there's a deep sense of community here and people wanted to get involved.”
She's lived in Sea Pines for 12 years and has lived in many places throughout that time, but she says the community support that has surrounded the Kotowskis has been heartwarming.
“There's been a lot of different community projects and events that have taken place here over the years and honestly, I've seen it bit by bit over the years and some days I thought, wow, this is a great place to live, but I've never felt that way more than when I saw the results on Monday,” Gudgeon said.
Businesses like One Hot Mama's, along with others in the area, have been posting fliers for the past two weeks to get the word out.
“You could see them all over the square. You could sense the seriousness of the situation and as time went on people were getting more and more anxious,” Pohlmeyer said.
She said nearby restaurants have pitched in to help spread the word.
“When the wife said she wasn't coming back until she found her husband, I knew they really needed help. So I was like, OK, well we have to do something to help,” Pohlmeyer said.
The discussion around mental health is also at the forefront right now and is an important issue to discuss.
“Sometimes the hardest discussions have the biggest impact. Someone may need to hear this. So if you or anyone is struggling, please have that difficult conversation. We all need to be open and honest with each other and not succumb to the pressure to be perfect, because none of us are,” Gudgeon said. “This is not a popular discussion, and I often feel like the most courageous thing we can do is to be vulnerable and have these discussions.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please contact a family member or the 988 hotline – support is available 24/7.
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