Owen Tillman Kenney, a 19-year-old freshman at College of Charleston and a native of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, was reported missing following events on the early hours of Friday, October 31, 2025 (Halloween).
He attended Red Bank Catholic High School, graduating in 2024 before transferring to college in January 2025.
The local law-enforcement agency, the Charleston Police Department, is actively investigating, in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New Jersey State Police.
Last known movements & investigation details
Owen was last seen in the area of King Street and Burns Lane in Charleston at about 2:00 a.m. on October 31, according to friends and police.
Subsequent surveillance and phone-data place him walking alone onto the pedestrian walkway of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge shortly after 3:00 a.m. that same morning. His cell phone’s last recorded location was on the bridge.
His physical description: Height ~6′1″, ~155 pounds, brown hair (buzzed), blue eyes. He has several tattoos: on his right forearm, left shoulder, left shin and knee.
There was confusion about what he was wearing: initial reports said a green & white Boston Celtics Halloween costume; later confirmed he was wearing a black hooded jacket, light-colored pants, and black Nike sneakers with white soles.
After his phone pinged on the bridge, it went dead, and no subsequent confirmed sightings have emerged.
Scale of search & investigation efforts
Given the unusual circumstances of the disappearance the late hour, the location near a major bridge and waterway, the phone’s last ping authorities have mobilized a broad array of resources:
The Charleston Police have deployed underwater recovery teams, harbor patrol, K9 units, drones (unmanned aerial system), and aviation units in the search.
The FBI and New Jersey State Police are engaged, which suggests that investigators are treating this as more than a standard missing-person case.
The college has issued alerts to students and provided counselling support, though it states there is no current known threat to campus safety.
What’s particularly concerning
The fact that his last known location was the pedestrian walkway of a major bridge, at a late hour (early morning), and that his phone died after the ping on the bridge this raises serious safety concerns.
The discrepancy in what he was wearing might suggest sighting/report confusion, which complicates tracking.
The family quote: “He was minutes from his house but never made it home.” indicating how close he was to his residence at the time of disappearance.
The search being still ongoing with no confirmed location or outcome means his status remains unresolved as of now.
What is not yet confirmed
There is no public confirmation of foul play, accident, or other definitive cause of his disappearance.
There is no public notification of his recovery or of any body being found (as of the latest official updates).
While the scale of the search is high, no verified release has linked the investigation to a specific suspect or event.
Because misinformation is circulating, the Charleston Police emphasise that only official updates should be trusted.
What to watch for and how you can help
Law-enforcement appeals: If you were in the Charleston area early morning of Oct 31, near King Street, Burns Lane, or the Ravenel Bridge walkway, any small detail (a sighting, a phone ping, movement) may help.
Check official channels: The Charleston Police Department has asked the public to call 843-720-2422, ask for the on-duty central detective, or submit tips online.
Avoid speculation: Police caution that unverified posts can divert resources from the investigation.
Further updates: Watch for new public releases from the College of Charleston, Charleston Police, or FBI in the coming days.
