SC SC - Richard Phelps, 63, seen in the evening, didn't return home, Daufuskie Island, 19 Feb 2026

[GuyfromCanada]

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 63-year-old Richard A. Phelps of Daufuskie Island.

Phelps was reported missing by family members today after he did not return home last night (2/19/2026). He was last seen on the island.

He is described as approximately 6 feet tall and weighing about 230 pounds.

Deputies are actively searching Daufuskie Island to locate Phelps and ensure his safe return.

Anyone who knows his whereabouts or has information that could assist in locating him is asked to call the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777.

https://www.facebook.com/BeaufortCountySheriffsOfficeSC/posts/pfbid0FVL2TSxhYvRCsKqtiJCazD17VeAXrgvmP67G9LAxfGwDs5MNmFyDxXfWLPoQXwSBl

Richard A. Phelps was last seen on the island Thursday evening, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. Family members reported him missing on Friday.

More at https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/crime/article314785809.html#storylink=cpy

 

[GraceG]

His middle name may be Allen (very old traffic infraction from the county he went missing from). https://www.sccourts.org/case-records-search/

 

[*LD*]

Less than 500 people live on Daufuski Island. There is no road access. It's where Pat Conroy grew up and where the novel Prince of Tides is set.

 

[*LD*]

Correction. The Pat Conroy novel is The Water is Wide.

 

[truthfinder2019]

https://www.facebook.com/BeaufortCountySheriffsOfficeSC/posts/pfbid02KLmje7tXQKS2wtAHayfonYY44wT6SNrPuLKrEs7DtRJhxQM3ycUt9HSANu84zwF1l

 

[truthfinder2019]

Richard « Dickie » Phelps, this is his FB with additional photos:

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[truthfinder2019]

I hope he is found safe.

I get Water vibes here..

 

[Caring1]

A body has been pulled from the water near Daufuskie. A friend of Richard’s stated that they had found his body. However, the Sheriff’s Office has not confirmed this nor has the Coroner confirmed the identity.

February 24, 2026

Body of ‘National treasure’ Daufuskie Island man found Tuesday morning, friend confirms

A friend of Richard Phelps told WTOC they found his body between 9:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

www.wtoc.com

 

[truthfinder2019]

Body of ‘National treasure’ Daufuskie Island man found Tuesday morning, coroner confirms

A friend of Richard Phelps told WTOC they found his body between 9:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

www.wtoc.com

UPDATE 2/24/2026] The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the body pulled from the water Tuesday was 63-year-old Richard Phelps.

A friend of Richard Phelps also told WTOC they found a body in Houlihan River believing it was Phelps, between 9:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

According to the friend, the body was found in the Wells Cut area and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office was seen on the scene retrieving the body from the water.