URGENT UPDATE: The body of 19-year-old Owen Tillman Kenney, a College of Charleston student, was recovered early Saturday morning, just over a week after he was reported missing. Authorities located Kenney’s body in the water near Patriots Point at approximately 8:45 a.m., according to a press release from the Charleston Police Department.
Kenney, hailing from Tinton Falls, N.J., was last seen by friends around 2 a.m. on October 31, 2025, after attending a Halloween party close to the College of Charleston campus. His family shared on social media that the college freshman was walking home when he went missing. His mother, Tanya Searcy Kenney, conveyed the heartbreak, stating, “He was minutes from his house but never made it home.”
In a tragic turn, video evidence revealed that Kenney walked alone onto the Ravenel Bridge pedestrian walkway shortly after 3 a.m.. The police confirmed that his cellphone’s last recorded location was also on the bridge around that same time.
By Thursday, the Charleston Police Department had shifted their focus from recovery to investigation, concluding that Kenney had died by suicide. Officials stated, “After reviewing recently recovered video evidence, detectives confirmed through direct observation that at 3:49 a.m. on October 31, Owen took his own life after walking onto the Ravenel Bridge pedestrian walkway.”
When announcing the recovery of his body, Charleston Police Chief Chito Walker expressed gratitude to those involved in bringing Kenney back to his family. “We hope this recovery brings some measure of closure to a family experiencing unimaginable loss,” Walker said, urging the public to respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.
The Charleston community and Kenney’s family are now coping with the profound impact of this tragedy. Authorities are emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness, especially for college students navigating the challenges of academic life and social pressures.
As the investigation progresses, community members are encouraged to support one another and seek help if needed. The College of Charleston has also stated that they are providing resources for students affected by this heartbreaking loss.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
