By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times
The search for an Ashland woman that began last Wednesday, garnering national attention, came to an end on Sunday afternoon when authorities recovered her body from Grayson Lake. Law enforcement with the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife (KDFW) issued a release Sunday evening stating, “The body of a female recovered at 3:45 p.m. today from Grayson Lake in Carter County has been identified as Marly Kinney.”
The 19-year-old had gone missing while on a boat outing with friends. According to multiple online sources Kinney was part of a large group of young adults who were spending the day on a rented pontoon boat on Grayson Lake last Wednesday. Kinney reportedly exited the boat to use the bathroom, though it is unclear if she exited alone or as part of a group, and was inadvertently left behind. When the group realized she was gone, and was unable to locate her, they returned to the marina to report her missing.
This began a multi-day, multi-agency search for the young woman which included the use of boats, dogs, helicopters, drones, divers, sonar, and UTVs/ATVs as well as volunteers and first responders on foot.
At least one individual reportedly with the party was arrested for operating a watercraft while intoxicated. Cameron Conley, 23, of Ashland, was arrested by Kentucky State Police and booked on a charge of operating a watercraft while intoxicated or under the influence on June 24, the same day Kinney was reported missing. Six other individuals are set to be arraigned today (Wednesday, July 1) on charges of being a person aged 18-20 possessing, purchasing, attempting to purchase, or having another purchase alcohol.
KDFW reported that the Kinney’s family had been notified and that, after the Carter County Coroner’s office responded, the body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort to determine the cause of death.
While Kentucky State Police and KDFW took lead on the investigation, first responders with Ashland Fire Department, Grayson FD, Carter County Emergency Management, Boyd County EM, Elliott County EM, Elliott County Sheriff, Carter County Sheriff, US Army Corps of Engineers, Kentucky State Parks rangers, Lexington FD, Sandy Hook FD, England Hill FD, and others turned out to help.
The case remains under investigation, and KDFW requests that anyone with any information regarding the investigation contact them at 800-25-ALERT (800-252-5378), or Kentucky State Police Post 14 at 606-928-6421. Information can also be emailed to info.center@ky.gov.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
