Teenage drowning victim identified in Kiln

A teen’s body was recovered from a pond at a dirt pit in the Kiln last night. The victim has been identified as 18-year-old Aydin Stallings, per our media partner the Sun Herald.

According to Hancock County Coroner Jeff Hair, Stallings died by drowning. Hair says Stallings, who was from the Kiln, was pulled from the pond around 8 p.m. after deputies and a dive team responded to the scene.

Around five hours before that, Hancock County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call that he’d gone under and not resurfaced.

Stallings apparently was swimming at the pond with a group of friends when he disappeared in the water.

Sheriff Ricky Adam says the dirt pit is private property, but hasn’t been in operation for years.