Marly Kinney, 19, had been missing since a Wednesday pontoon boat outing.
GRAYSON, Ky. — Search crews found the body of 19-year-old Marly Kinney in Grayson Lake on Sunday, four days after the Ashland woman was reported missing from a rented pontoon boat, Kentucky wildlife officials said.
The recovery ended a large search across the Carter County lake that drew game wardens, police, firefighters, divers, dogs, aircraft and volunteers. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources said Kinney’s family had been notified and that the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort will determine her cause of death.
Officials said Kinney was found at 3:45 p.m. Sunday in Grayson Lake. She had been missing since Wednesday afternoon, June 24, after a group of friends returned from the lake without her. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife said game wardens led the search after receiving a missing person report tied to a rented pontoon boat at Grayson Lake Marina. The agency described the effort as exhaustive and said crews searched by water, air and land.
The search included multiple county and state law enforcement agencies, first responders and volunteers. Crews used boats, sonar, drones, UTVs and ATVs, K-9 teams and cadaver dogs. Ashland Fire Department divers also joined the effort, and Kentucky State Police helicopters assisted from above. Officials did not release the exact place where Kinney entered the water or where she was found. The Carter County coroner was notified and responded to the scene after the recovery.
Kinney’s disappearance also led to a criminal charge against the boat’s operator. An arrest citation said Cameron Conley, 23, was arrested Wednesday evening for operating a boat or watercraft while intoxicated or under the influence. Conley told Kentucky State Police troopers he could not find the female passenger, according to the citation. Troopers wrote that they smelled alcohol and saw that Conley had bloodshot, glassy eyes.
The citation said Conley told troopers he had consumed alcohol while operating the boat. A preliminary breath test showed a result of .137, according to the citation. Authorities have not said whether any additional charges are expected. Kinney’s cause of death has not been determined, and officials said the case remains under investigation.
Grayson Lake sits in northeastern Kentucky, with shoreline and recreation areas used by boaters, anglers and campers. The disappearance brought a heavy response from nearby agencies because search teams had to cover water, wooded areas and access points around the lake. Officials paused and resumed parts of the effort during the search as conditions changed.
The investigation now turns to the medical examiner’s findings, witness statements and the timeline of the boat outing. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement and Kentucky State Police Post 14 are handling the investigation. Officials said they are still seeking information from anyone who may know what happened before Kinney was reported missing.
As of Monday, June 29, authorities had identified Kinney and confirmed the recovery, but had not released a cause of death. The next major step is the medical examiner’s report and any further action tied to the boating investigation.
Author note: Last updated June 29, 2026.