A 23-year-old man has been arrested after a 19-year-old woman disappeared during a boat outing on a Kentucky lake.
Marly Kinney, 19, of Ashland, Kentucky, was last seen on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 24, at Grayson Lake, which stretches through Carter and Elliott counties, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Authorities were called to Boat Ramp Road in Grayson after 23-year-old Cameron Conley reportedly told marina staff that he could not find a woman who had been on his boat, according to local outlets.
When Kentucky State Police troopers arrived, they allegedly noticed signs that Conley may have been drinking. According to a citation obtained by LEX18 and WLKY, troopers said they could smell alcohol on him and observed that his eyes were bloodshot.
Conley allegedly told troopers he had been drinking and agreed to take a breathalyzer test. His blood alcohol level was allegedly 0.137%, which is above Kentucky’s legal limit of 0.08% for operating a boat.
He was arrested around 5:30 p.m. local time on a charge of boating under the influence.
Kinney has remained missing since the incident, and search crews are still working to find her.
Game wardens with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources are assisting in the search, along with Kentucky State Police, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kentucky State Parks rangers, and several local fire and sheriff’s departments.
A spokesperson for the Department of Fish and Wildlife said search efforts are currently focused on the water. Crews are using aerial support from Kentucky State Police, drones, boats and K-9 assistance.
Kinney’s family said in a statement to WSAZ that they are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support from law enforcement, first responders, search crews and volunteers.
“We are very appreciative of the absolute surplus of support from law enforcement, search and rescue, first responders, and all of the community and its volunteers that are here with us and for us searching for Marly,” the family said.
“We do not even know how to express our absolute gratitude to you all,” the statement continued. “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.”
Conley was taken to the Carter County Detention Center on Wednesday and released the same day, according to reports. He was charged with one count of operating a boat or watercraft while intoxicated or under the influence and is expected to appear in court in July.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Kinney’s disappearance to call 911.
