Marly Kinney, a 19-year-old Kentucky woman who vanished during a boating outing with friends, has been found dead, authorities said.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources announced that Kinney’s body was recovered at about 3:45 p.m. on June 28 in Grayson Lake in Carter County.
Officials said her cause of death had not yet been determined and will be reviewed by the State Medical Examiner’s Office.
What Happened to Missing Teen Marly Kinney?
Kinney was last seen on the afternoon of June 24 while boating with friends on the lake. Authorities said she was reported missing after she did not return to the rented pontoon boat.
According to an arrest citation obtained by Lex 18, the boat’s driver, Cameron Conley, allegedly told marina employees that he could not locate a woman who had been aboard his boat.
A Kentucky State Trooper who spoke with Conley allegedly observed that his eyes were bloodshot and detected the smell of alcohol, according to reports. Conley, 23, allegedly acknowledged drinking and submitted to a preliminary breath test, which indicated a blood alcohol content of .137, WKYT reported.
Conley was arrested on a charge of boating under the influence and booked into the Carter County Detention Center.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities mounted an extensive search for Kinney using boats, dive teams, sonar equipment, helicopters, drones, K-9 units and cadaver dogs, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Along with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the search effort included assistance from the Ashland Fire Department, Grayson Fire Department, Carter County Emergency Management, Boyd County Emergency Management, Elliott County Sheriff’s Office, Elliott County Emergency Management, the US Army Corps of Engineers, Kentucky State Parks rangers, Lexington Fire Department, Sandy Hook Fire Department, England Hill Fire Department and more than 50 local volunteers.
Kinney’s family thanked law enforcement for their ongoing search efforts on June 26, as they remained hopeful that Kinney would still be found alive.
“We are very appreciative of the absolute surplus of support from law enforcement, search and rescue, 1st responders, and all of the community and its volunteers that are here with us and for us searching for Marly,” they said in a statement to WSAZ. “We do not even know how to express our absolute gratitude to you all. We continue to have faith she will be found and brought back to us. We know we have the very best people doing all they can to bring her home.”
Marly Kinney Remembered By Coworkers For “Friendly Smile”
After the teen’s remains were discovered on June 28, she was remembered by the staff at Smokin’ J’s Rib and Brewhouse, where she worked.
“The Smoking J’s Family is saddened by the loss of one of our own, Marly Kinney,” they wrote on Facebook. “Marly was a model employee loved by all. Always with a friendly smile and a kind word.”
They added that grief counselors would be provided to the restaurant’s staff, many of whom had helped in the search effort to try to find her.
“Our love and prayers go out to Marlys family and friends through this tragic loss,” they continued. “We are closed today & tommorow (sic) to allow our team time to mourn the loss of a loved friend.”
Oxygen reached out to the Kentucky State Police for additional comment, but did not receive an immediate reply.
