08/30/2026
FINAL UPDATE: MISSING CHILD’S BODY FOUND
The body of missing 5-year-old Saylor Hayes, who has been the subject of an intensive search involving hundreds of people and multiple agencies, was found this morning. Agents with the Department of Natural Resources located her around 9:45 in the waters near the area where she was last seen. Saylor wandered away from a rental home in Hagley Estates in Pawleys Island late yesterday morning. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Department of Natural Resources, Charleston Sheriff’s Office, SLED, Horry County Fire Department, Midway Fire Department, Georgetown County Fire Department, Georgetown County Emergency Services, and Georgetown City Fire Department. Hundreds of residents from the area searched their own properties and surrounding areas and guarded local docks. The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office thanks everyone who assisted in the search and sends its deepest condolences to the young girl’s family.
MISSING GIRL UPDATE (4:15 PM) Divers from Horry County are on scene to search around area docks. Operation Lifesaver signals are being sent from helicopter and ground units. Searches continue by boat and on foot.
Anyone who spots 5-year-old Sailor should call 911.
MISSING CHILD UPDATE (3:10 pm): A helicopter from Charleston Sheriff’s Office equipped with Project Lifesaver equipment has just arrived in the airspace above Hagley. Because the signal is being beamed from the air, it is wider and less impeded by topography and is more likely to pick up the signal from 5-year-old Sailor Hayes’ transponder. All other efforts in the neighborhood and along the Waccamaw shoreline continue. Anyone who spots Sailor is asked to call 911. She is nonverbal so please speak gently and slowly to her and do not expect a response.
MISSING CHILD UPDATE (2:25 pm): The search continues for 5-year-old Sailor Hayes, who went missing from a home on Old Waccamaw Drive in Pawleys earlier today. Deputies are using Project Lifesaver to try to pinpoint her location, while K9 Pelle and deputies search the neighborhood. Deputies and County Fire are flying coordinated drone searches over the area. Midway Fire Department and the Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol are searching the water and shoreline as volunteers guard the docks. A CodeRed (Reverse 911) signal was sent out to neighboring homes earlier today and neighbors are assisting in the efforts. If you live nearby, we ask that you review any home security footage to see if she appears on it.
If anyone locates Sailor, they are asked to call 911. She may not respond to you verbally but will react positively to a gentle tone, smiles, and slow movements.
MISSING CHILD
The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the help of residents in the area of Old Waccamaw Drive in Hagley where the mother of 5-year-old Sailor Hayes reports that her child wandered off a short while ago. Sailor is 3’6” with blond hair and blue eyes and was last wearing a one-piece light blue bathing suit and a pink and white lanyard around her ankle. Deputies are attempting to track her with Project Lifesaver, but if you see her first, please call 843-546-5102.
