South Carolina Student Owen Tillman Kenney, 19, Found Dead in Charleston Waters One Week After Vanishing on Halloween Night
Halloween night in Charleston began like any other for 19-year-old college student Owen Tillman Kenney — friends in costumes, laughter echoing through the streets, and the hum of late-night energy across the city. But by the following morning, Owen was missing, and one week later, his body was found in the water near Patriots Point, marking the tragic end of a search that gripped an entire community and left a family shattered.
The Charleston Police Department confirmed the discovery on Saturday, November 8, around 8:45 a.m., after responding to reports of a body spotted in the water. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office later identified the remains as belonging to Owen, who had vanished in the early hours of October 31 after attending Halloween festivities near the College of Charleston. For days, his name and face had circulated across social media, posters, and local news bulletins as friends and family pleaded for answers. The news of his recovery brought heartbreak — and a devastating sense of finality.
Owen had been last seen around 2 a.m. on King Street and Burns Lane, a popular nightlife area just a short walk from campus. Police said his cellphone later pinged near the pedestrian walkway of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, a sweeping landmark that connects downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant. Surveillance footage showed him walking alone onto the bridge around 3:49 a.m. — the last confirmed sighting before he disappeared into the night.
Authorities launched a full-scale search immediately after he was reported missing. Drones, K9 units, boats, and helicopters scoured the city’s waterways and surrounding areas, while volunteers distributed flyers and retraced his steps from the downtown bar district toward the bridge. For nearly a week, his loved ones held out hope, clinging to the belief that Owen might somehow be found safe. But when the call came on that Saturday morning, it confirmed the outcome they had feared.
Charleston Police Chief Chito Walker expressed his condolences to the Kenney family, urging compassion and sensitivity. “Our priority has always been and will remain Owen’s family,” he said. “This is a real family living through unimaginable pain. They deserve privacy, empathy, and support from the community.”
Born and raised in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, Owen was known for his kind heart and easy smile. A 2024 graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School, he had started his studies at the College of Charleston earlier this year, excited to experience life in the South. Friends describe him as adventurous, athletic, and funny — someone who loved the beach, played sports, and never hesitated to help others. His social media was filled with photos of sunlit days, friends, and the simple joys of youth.
The week following his disappearance was filled with anguish. Hundreds joined online groups to share information, while volunteers organized searches near the bridge and nearby shoreline. His family traveled from New Jersey to Charleston, working closely with local police and community members in the desperate hunt for their son. When officials announced that Owen’s body had been found, tributes poured in across platforms, with classmates and friends expressing disbelief and sorrow. “He was just the kind of person who made everyone feel comfortable,” one classmate wrote. “It doesn’t seem real.”
The Charleston County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that Owen had died by suicide, a revelation that deepened the emotional toll on the community and sparked important conversations about mental health. Authorities emphasized that there were no signs of foul play. Charleston Police urged residents struggling with similar thoughts to reach out for help by contacting the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 — a free and confidential resource available 24/7.
For students at the College of Charleston, the tragedy was deeply personal. Counselors and university leaders provided on-campus support, encouraging students to lean on one another and seek help if they were struggling. “We are a close-knit campus, and the loss of one of our own is felt by everyone,” a university spokesperson said. “Owen will be remembered as part of our community, and our hearts are with his loved ones.”
Back in New Jersey, the Red Bank Catholic High School community remembered Owen as a bright, compassionate young man with a promising future. Teachers recalled his humor and warmth, noting that he brought light to those around him. “It’s heartbreaking to lose someone so young, especially someone who had so much life ahead of him,” one former teacher said.
The days following the discovery have been a time of reflection for Charleston residents and college communities nationwide. Owen’s story, though deeply tragic, has also served as a sobering reminder of the silent struggles that many young people face. Mental health professionals emphasize that the transition to college — with its academic pressures, social shifts, and new environments — can sometimes mask deep emotional battles. “It’s important for families and peers to check in, even when everything seems fine on the surface,” one counselor explained.
Authorities continue to handle the case with sensitivity, urging the public to avoid speculation and online rumors that could cause further harm to the grieving family. Charleston Police thanked the volunteers and citizens who assisted in search efforts, acknowledging that the outpouring of community support demonstrated how deeply Owen’s disappearance touched people — even those who never knew him personally.
Now, as his family prepares to bring him home to New Jersey, they face the difficult task of saying goodbye. Funeral and memorial arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days. Loved ones have requested privacy, asking that Owen be remembered for the joy he brought to others and the kindness that defined his life.
In Charleston, the bridge where Owen was last seen has become a quiet place of reflection. Flowers and handwritten notes have appeared along its walkway, left by friends, strangers, and fellow students. Some stop just to look out at the water — to think, to grieve, or simply to feel connected to a young man whose story touched so many hearts.
While no explanation can erase the pain of his loss, Owen’s life now serves as a call to awareness — a reminder that behind every smiling face may lie unseen burdens, and that empathy and open conversation can make all the difference. His story will remain etched in the hearts of his family, his community, and the many who followed his journey, hoping for a different ending.
If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of self-harm, please call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Help is available, and you are not alone.
