The body of a missing teenage girl was found in a Kentucky lake after she disappeared during a boat party, prompting an extensive search, officials reported.
Marley Kinney, 19, was recovered from Grayson Lake around 3:45 p.m. on Sunday, five days after she went missing while enjoying time on a rented pontoon boat with friends. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources confirmed the identification.
Kinney, who lived in Ashland, was reportedly last seen around 4 p.m. on Wednesday when she went overboard to use the bathroom. Initially, her friends did not realize she was missing.
A range of resources was deployed for the search, including sonar, thermal imaging, helicopters, K-9 units, and underwater drones. At the time she went missing, Kinney was wearing a pink, orange, and white bikini.
Over 50 volunteers participated in the search efforts, which were complicated by occasional rain. Details surrounding how Kinney’s body was discovered remain unclear.
According to previous reports, the pontoon boat’s driver, 23-year-old Cameron P. Conley, was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI after police were called to help locate Kinney. Officers noted the smell of alcohol, observed his bloodshot eyes, and he ultimately failed a breathalyzer test, leading to his transport to the Carter County Detention Center.
Kinney’s family has been informed, and the state medical examiner’s office in Frankfort will determine the cause of death.
Her workplace, Smokin’ Jay’s Rib and Brewhouse, announced it would close for two days in light of her passing. The restaurant shared their grief on Facebook, remembering her as a beloved employee known for her friendly demeanor.
The statement expressed: “Marley was a model employee who was loved by all, always with a friendly smile and a kind word. Our love and prayers go out to Marley’s family and friends during this tragic loss.”
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information about Kinney’s disappearance to reach out to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement or the Kentucky State Police.
