A day on Grayson Lake has turned into a widening search effort and a criminal case after a 19-year-old Kentucky woman disappeared during a boating outing, and the man operating the boat was later charged with boating under the influence.
Marly Kinney, 19, of Ashland, Kentucky, was last seen on Wednesday afternoon, June 24, at Grayson Lake, a reservoir that stretches through parts of Carter and Elliott counties. Authorities have said the search remains focused on the water, with multiple agencies and volunteers working to locate her.
Cameron P. Conley, 23, also of Ashland, was arrested after Kentucky State Police responded to Grayson Lake Marina following a report that a woman who had been on his boat could not be found. He has been charged with operating a boat or watercraft while intoxicated or under the influence.
The case has drawn attention across eastern Kentucky because it combines two urgent questions. Search crews are trying to find Kinney, while investigators are also examining the circumstances that led to Conley’s arrest.
A Missing Person Call at Grayson Lake
The response began after Conley told the marina staff that he was unable to locate a female passenger who had been on the boat he was operating. That report led Kentucky State Police and other emergency personnel to the area near Boat Ramp Road in Grayson.
Kinney was identified as the missing woman. Officials later said she was last seen at Grayson Lake on Wednesday afternoon, and search operations continued after the initial response.
Grayson Lake is a popular outdoor destination, especially during warm weather, but searches on large bodies of water can quickly become difficult. Location, visibility, shoreline conditions, and changing weather can all affect how crews move through an area.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed every detail of what happened before Kinney disappeared. Because of that, the confirmed timeline remains limited to the marina’s report, the state police response, and the ongoing search.
The missing person investigation is separate from the criminal charge Conley now faces. Officials have not announced any additional charges connected to Kinney’s disappearance.
Boat Operator Arrested After Troopers Respond
While speaking with Conley, troopers reported signs that led them to question whether he had consumed alcohol while operating the boat. The arrest citation said a trooper detected the odor of alcohol and observed that Conley’s eyes appeared bloodshot and glassy.
Conley reportedly acknowledged consuming alcohol. He also agreed to a preliminary breath test, according to the citation.
He was arrested at about 5:30 p.m. on June 24 on Boat Ramp Road and taken to the Carter County Detention Center. Court-related records cited in local reporting show he was later released on his own recognizance.
Conley faces one count of operating a boat or watercraft while intoxicated or under the influence, listed as a first-degree offense. An arraignment is scheduled for July 22.
A breath result in the court citation was reported as 0.135. Kentucky law uses 0.08 as a key alcohol concentration threshold in impairment cases involving vehicles that are not motor vehicles.
The charge is an allegation, and Conley is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. No public record cited in the reports reviewed indicates that he has entered a plea.
Crews Focus Search Efforts on the Water
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has been leading the search for Kinney, with support from Kentucky State Police and several local and regional agencies. Officials have described the search as focused on the water.
Resources used in the search include boats, drones, K9 assistance, and aerial support. Sonar equipment has also been used as crews continue to examine parts of the lake and nearby areas.
Agencies assisting include Kentucky State Police, Ashland Fire Department, Grayson Fire Department, Carter County Emergency Management, Boyd County Emergency Management, Elliott County emergency officials, the Elliott County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kentucky State Parks rangers, and Lexington Fire Department.
Officials have also said that about 50 volunteers have walked the banks of Grayson Lake to support the effort. Their work expands the area covered while trained responders continue the water search.
The search has been affected by darkness and weather at points, but officials have said pauses do not mean the operation has ended. Crews have resumed work as conditions allow.
For Kinney’s family, the search is both urgent and emotionally exhausting. The family has thanked law enforcement, first responders, search teams, volunteers, and community members for their help in the search for her.
Officials Ask Public to Share Information
Authorities have asked anyone with information about the missing person investigation to call 911. That request includes anyone who may have been near Grayson Lake on June 24 or who may know something that helps investigators better understand the timeline.
In missing person cases on large lakes, even small details can matter. A time, location, photo, video, boat sighting, or conversation may help narrow where crews search next.
Officials have not said that foul play has been confirmed. They have also not released a final determination on what caused Kinney to disappear.
That careful wording matters because the investigation remains active. Public speculation can spread quickly, but unverified claims can distract from confirmed facts and create confusion for the people searching.
For now, the central facts are limited but serious. A 19-year-old woman remains missing after a boating outing at Grayson Lake, a 23-year-old boat operator has been charged with BUI, and multiple agencies continue to search.
The case now moves on two tracks. Search crews are trying to bring Kinney home, while the court process will address the charge filed against Conley.
Until more information is released, officials are urging the public to focus on helping the search. Anyone with credible information is asked to contact emergency authorities immediately.
