The body of 19-year-old Marly Kinney was recovered from Grayson Lake on June 28 after a five-day search, authorities confirmed, just days after boat operator Cameron Conley, 23, reported her missing and was arrested on a boating-under-the-influence charge.
Investigators have not accused Conley of causing Kinney’s death. Still looking into how and why the person died, state experts in Frankfort continuing their review. Investigation ongoing without conclusions yet reached.
Out around two o’clock that day, Kinney walked away from the boat ride. A new Boyd County High grad out of Ashland, she’d been floating on Grayson Lake across county lines. The lake stretches into both Carter and Elliott areas. Near a well-known jump-off point locals call “Sex Rock,” she disappeared. Her things stayed with others phone included when she moved toward shore. Maybe heading for privacy, maybe just stepping off. About ten people remained aboard. Last confirmed sighting pinned there.
Back at Grayson Lake Marina, Conley handed back the rented pontoon after saying one of the passengers could not be found. Officers arrived quickly, noticing right away that something seemed off eyes red, smell of booze strong on his breath. He didn’t argue when asked about drinking he just confirmed it. Later, a machine measured his BAC at 0.137%, which sits well above the state’s allowed level of 0.08% for boats.
Late afternoon light still hung over Grayson Lake when Marly Kinney walked off the boat toward the cliffs locals call “Sex Rock.” A teenager from Ashland, she vanished between 2:20 and 4 p.m. on June 24, near a stretch of rock used for jumping into the reservoir below. The place has no formal sign, just word-of-mouth among those who boat or swim there. She was seen heading inland from the vessel, then never returned. Cameron P. Conley, also from Ashland and aged twenty-three, stayed behind; he filed a report about her disappearance hours later. Around five thirty that day, police took him into custody not related to her absence but due to impaired operation of the watercraft. He faced charges tied to alcohol use while piloting, spent time detained, then eventually went free.
A multi-agency search operation was immediately launched and continued through June 28, involving the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), Kentucky State Police, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, local fire departments, divers, sonar equipment, drones, helicopters, K-9 units, and more than 50 volunteers. Kinney’s body was recovered from the lake on June 28 at 3:45 p.m., and her family was notified.
The investigation remains active. KDFWR and Kentucky State Police urge anyone with information to contact law enforcement at 800-25-ALERT or Post 14.
Kinney’s family expressed gratitude for the search efforts:
“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.”
A local restaurant where she worked temporarily closed in her honor.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about boating safety. U.S. authorities repeatedly stress that impaired operation of any watercraft carries serious risks. No additional charges related to Kinney’s death have been announced. The story is developing.
