The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is asking residents to help locate a Lady’s Island woman who has not been seen since last week.
Family members reported Mary Julia Kemp, 61, missing on the afternoon of Thursday, July 23, 2026, and authorities say they are concerned for her safety and well-being.
Kemp is described as standing about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 120 pounds. Investigators believe she left the area driving a silver 2013 Kia Sorento bearing South Carolina license plate 6368PZ.
That vehicle may be a key clue for anyone who spots her in the coming days, as deputies continue working to determine where she may have traveled after leaving home.
Authorities Urge Public Vigilance
Missing person cases involving adults can be especially difficult for investigators, since there is no automatic legal requirement for adults to stay in contact with family. Still, when concern is raised for someone’s safety, as it has been here, local law enforcement agencies often turn to the community for tips that might not otherwise surface.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is doing exactly that, hoping someone who has seen Kemp or her car in recent days will come forward.
Officials have not released additional details about Kemp’s last known location or the circumstances that led her family to report her missing. That limited information is not unusual in the early stages of a search, when agencies often prioritize getting basic identifying details out to the public quickly rather than waiting on a fuller investigation.
How the Community Can Help
Anyone who believes they have seen Kemp, her silver Kia Sorento, or has any information related to her current location is asked to reach out to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
The department has set up its non emergency dispatch line for tips at 843 524 2777.
Residents in the Lady’s Island area and beyond are encouraged to keep an eye out for the vehicle, particularly in parking lots, along roadways, or in areas Kemp may have frequented. Even small details, such as a possible sighting or unusual activity involving the vehicle, could assist deputies in narrowing down her whereabouts.
As of now, no further updates have been released, and the search for Kemp continues. The Sheriff’s Office has not indicated whether additional resources, such as search and rescue teams, have been deployed, but the department’s public appeal suggests the case remains an active priority for local law enforcement.