Body of South Carolina College Student Owen Kenney, 19, Found 1 Week After He Disappeared on Halloween

Authorities in Charleston have confirmed that the body of 19-year-old Owen Tillman Kenney, a College of Charleston student who went missing on Halloween, has been found.

According to a news release from the Charleston Police Department (CPD), officers responded to a report of a “body in the water near Patriots Point” around 8:45 a.m. local time on Saturday, Nov. 8. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office later confirmed the identity of the deceased as Kenney.

“I would like to thank everyone who took part in the effort to get Owen back to his family,” said Charleston Police Chief Chito Walker in the statement. “We hope this recovery brings some measure of closure to a family experiencing unimaginable loss. We ask that everyone continue to respect the privacy of the Kenney family during this difficult time.”

Kenney was first reported missing on Nov. 1. In an update released Nov. 6, police said video evidence confirmed that he took his own life after walking onto the Ravenel Bridge pedestrian walkway at approximately 3:49 a.m. on Oct. 31. Following that evidence, authorities transitioned from search operations to recovery efforts.

Detectives said Kenney was seen walking alone on the bridge. While earlier reports suggested he was wearing a Boston Celtics jersey as part of a Halloween costume, later evidence showed he was dressed in a black hooded jacket, light-colored pants, and black Nike sneakers with white soles.

Police also reported that Kenney’s cell phone last pinged on the Ravenel Bridge around 3 a.m. During the search, law enforcement deployed K9 units, an underwater recovery team, the unmanned aerial system team, and harbor patrol to assist in locating him.

Kenney was a graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank, New Jersey, class of 2024. In a Facebook post, the school expressed “profound sadness” over the news of his death, describing him as a “cherished member” of their community.

“Owen has been a beloved part of our school community, and his presence, kindness, and spirit have touched many,” the post read. “Please keep Owen, his family, his friends, and all who are grieving in your prayers.”

According to The Monmouth Journal and The Post and Courier, Kenney transferred to the College of Charleston in January and was midway through his second semester as a freshman at the time of his death.