The boat operator was arrested the same day Marly Kinney disappeared.
CARTER COUNTY, Ky. — A boating under the influence charge is now part of the investigation into the death of Marly Kinney, 19, whose body was recovered Sunday from Grayson Lake after she vanished during a pontoon boat outing.
The case links a missing person search, a lake recovery and an arrest citation filed after Kentucky State Police responded Wednesday to Grayson Lake Marina. Officials have not said how Kinney died. The State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort will determine the cause of death.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials said Kinney, of Ashland, had been missing since Wednesday afternoon, June 24. Game wardens began searching after a report that a female passenger did not return with friends on a rented pontoon boat. The search continued for days before crews found her body at 3:45 p.m. Sunday in Grayson Lake. The Carter County coroner was notified and responded to the scene.
An arrest citation said Cameron Conley, 23, was operating the boat tied to the missing passenger report. He told troopers he was unable to find the woman, according to the citation. Troopers said they noticed an odor of alcohol and saw bloodshot, glassy eyes while speaking with him. When asked whether he had consumed alcohol while operating the boat, Conley said he had, according to the citation.
The citation said Conley submitted to a preliminary breath test with a result of .137. He was arrested Wednesday evening and charged with operating a boat or watercraft while intoxicated or under the influence. The charge listed in early reports was tied to boating conduct, not to Kinney’s death. Authorities have not announced whether prosecutors are reviewing any other possible charges.
Kinney’s recovery came after a multiagency search that used boats, sonar, divers, helicopters, drones, K-9 teams, cadaver dogs and ground vehicles. Ashland Fire Department divers were among the responders. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife said game wardens led the search, with help from state police, county agencies, first responders and volunteers. Officials have not released a full timeline of the boat’s movements.
The unanswered questions include when Kinney entered or left the water, how long she was missing before authorities were called and what other passengers saw. Officials have not released a public account from every person on the boat. They also have not said whether weather, water conditions or other factors played a role.
The death has drawn attention in Ashland and across eastern Kentucky because Kinney was young, the search lasted several days and the boat operator was arrested within hours of the missing person report. Officials said Kinney’s family has been notified. The investigation remains open while agencies wait for medical findings and continue collecting information.
As of Monday, June 29, Conley faced one boating under the influence charge, and Kinney’s cause of death had not been released. The next formal finding is expected from the State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Author note: Last updated June 29, 2026.