# Coroner Finds Saylor Hayes Drowned; Manner of Death Undetermined

> The coroner’s completed investigation and any criminal proceedings are separate matters.

By GTC News Team

Published: 2026-11-08T20:22:35-05:00
Source date: 2026-11-06
Event or coverage date: November 6, 2026 findings concerning an August death
Canonical: https://georgetowncountynews.com/news/saylor-hayes-coroner-november-findings/

The Georgetown County Coroner’s Office concluded its investigation into the death of five-year-old Saylor Hayes, according to a November 6 WMBF report carried by Live 5 News.

The report said Coroner Chase Ridgeway determined the cause was asphyxia due to drowning and listed child neglect as a contributory factor. The manner of death was classified as undetermined.

The child had been reported missing during an August visit to the Pawleys Island area. The November findings concern the coroner’s investigation. They do not establish a criminal conviction or mean that a criminal case has concluded.

## Sources

- [WMBF report carried by Live 5 News, November 6](https://www.live5news.com/2026/11/06/georgetown-investigation-concludes-following-death-saylor-hayes/)

Medical findings are attributed to the coroner through the linked reporting. Undetermined is the reported manner of death; this article does not reclassify it as accident or homicide.

## Related Topics

- [Saylor Hayes](https://georgetowncountynews.com/tag/saylor-hayes/)
- [Georgetown County Coroner’s Office](https://georgetowncountynews.com/tag/georgetown-county-coroner/)
- [WMBF](https://georgetowncountynews.com/tag/wmbf/)
- [Live 5 News](https://georgetowncountynews.com/tag/live-5-news/)
- [Chase Ridgeway](https://georgetowncountynews.com/tag/chase-ridgeway/)
- [Pawleys Island](https://georgetowncountynews.com/tag/pawleys-island/)