The body of Owen Kinney, a 19-year-old student at the College of Charleston, was found more than a week after he went missing, the Charleston Police Department reported.

The young man, originally from New Jersey, was found Saturday at 8:45 a.m. in the water near Patriots Point, after several days of searching the area.

According to authorities, Kinney was last seen around 2:00 a.m. on October 31 by friends in an area near the university. Detectives confirmed that he walked alone across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge pedestrian walkway shortly after 3:00 a.m., and that the last signal from his phone was recorded at that same location.

Police confirm it was a suicide

After analyzing evidence and security camera footage, investigators determined that Kinney committed suicide shortly before 4:00 a.m., according to local police.

“I would like to thank everyone who participated in the effort to bring Owen back to his family,” said Charleston Police Chief Chito Walker. “We hope this recovery brings some comfort to a family experiencing an unimaginable loss.”

University Statement

College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu expressed his sorrow over the student's death and called on the academic community to stand with Kinney's family and friends.

“There are no words that can ease the pain of losing someone so young and so full of promise,” Hsu said. “Now is the time to surround his family with love, to support grieving classmates, and to remind ourselves that no one in our community should bear this grief alone.”

The college announced that students, faculty, and staff have access to free and confidential counseling and psychological support services through the Counseling Center and the AllOne Health program.