19-year-old Marly Kinney’s death at Grayson Lake ruled accidental

UPDATE Sept. 17 at 2:37 p.m. 

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Authorities say 19-year-old Marly Kinney’s death at Grayson Lake State Park has been ruled accidental.

According to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement, this follows an investigation into Kinney’s disappearance in June.

In addition, authorities say a Carter County Grand Jury brought misdemeanor charges against 21-year-old Ryan Blanke and 21-year-old Isabelle Addis, who each face one count of third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor.

Fish and Wildlife states the charges stem from evidence that Kinney was provided alcoholic beverages by Blanke and Addis.

Authorities stated neither Blanke nor Addis are charged with “causing or contributing to Kinney’s death.”

When Kinney’s remains were recovered, authorities say her “bathing suit, jewelry and other personal accessories were intact and undisturbed.” Investigators say they did not find evidence of a struggle or traumatic injury.

The investigation included “an extensive review of physical evidence, witness statements and digital evidence,” according to Fish and Wildlife.

Authorities say all occupants of the boat Kinney was last known to be present on cooperated throughout the investigation.

The investigation was conducted by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, along with assistance by the Kentucky State Police, the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney 37th Judicial Circuit, Carter County Emergency Management, Grayson Fire and Rescue, Ashland Fire and Rescue, Boyd County Emergency Management, Sandy Hook Fire and Rescue and the Carter County coroner.

Original Story (June 28 at 6:06 p.m.) 

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A body identified as 19-year-old Marly Kinney has been recovered from the Grayson Lake in Carter County, according to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife on Sunday.

According to a release by the agency, Kinney’s body was located at 3:45 p.m. Kinney, originally from Ashland, Kentucky, had been missing since Wednesday afternoon, authorities say.

Officials say Kinney’s family has been notified, and the Carter County coroner responded to the scene .

The cause of death will be determined by the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort.

According to the release, game wardens with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources led an exhaustive search for Kinney after a missing person report indicated a female passenger did not return with a group of friends on a rented pontoon boat at Grayson Lake Marina.

Officials say search efforts focused on the water and shoreline with assistance from multiple county and state law enforcement agencies, first responders and volunteers that included boats, Ashland Fire Department divers, sonar, Kentucky State Police helicopters, drones, UTVs/ATVs and K-9 and cadaver dogs.

Agencies assisting Kentucky Fish and Wildlife in the search included Kentucky State Police, Ashland Fire Department, Grayson Fire Department, Carter County Emergency Management, Boyd County Emergency Management, Elliott County Sherrif’s Office, Elliott County Emergency Management, the US Army Corps of Engineers, Kentucky State Parks rangers, Lexington Fire Department, Sandy Hook Fire Department, England Hill Fire Department and more than 50 local volunteers.

This case remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to contact Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement at 800-25-ALERT (25378) or Kentucky State Police Post 14 at 606-928-6421.

Information and questions may also be directed to the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Information Center at 800-858-1549, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (ET) weekdays, excluding state holidays, or at info.center@ky.gov.