Daufuskie Island mourns as body of 63-year-old Richard Phelps recovered

The body of Richard “Dickie” Phelps, identified by Beaufort County Coroner’s Office Deputy/Chief Deputy Michael Shane Bowers as 63, was recovered from Beaufort County waters on Feb. 24 during a search of the area, authorities said. The coroner confirmed the body was Phelps and said the cause of death is pending autopsy.

Family members reported Phelps missing on Feb. 20 after he did not return home the night before; multiple accounts say he had been last seen on Daufuskie Island the prior Thursday night. WJCL and other outlets reported Phelps as roughly 6 feet tall and 230 pounds, last seen wearing a long-sleeve red shirt and blue jeans, and noted his son posted that his father’s golf cart had been found in the water off the county dock on Daufuskie.

Search operations ran from Feb. 20 through the weekend and into Tuesday, with Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputies, friends, family and volunteer crews bringing boats and foot teams to the island and surrounding waterways. High tides and strong winds over the weekend hampered efforts; longtime friend Jamie Fiefield said, “Today was our one window, as you can see right here that window would've closed. And forecast wasn't good. This was a miracle that we were able to find him.”

Accounts differ on the precise recovery spot. A friend told WTOC the body was found in the Wells Cut area of the Houlihan River between about 9:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and that BCSO retrieved the body from the water. WJCL reported Phelps’ body was located “several miles south from the dock he went missing,” while coroner and sheriff’s office statements described the recovery more generally as in Beaufort County waters during a search.

Friends and neighbors framed the search as urgent and highly personal. One community appeal published during the search said, “We need help. We are asking for assets, and just like this community that Dickie was the glue, we are looking for you to help bring our friend home.” After the recovery, a friend told WTOC, “It’s a needle in a haystack. For us, that needle is precious, that’s our national treasure.” Fiefield added, “The community lost a brother and a father figure to many people. He was an amazing man and we miss him dearly. We're so glad we brought him home.”

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement of gratitude after the recovery: “We appreciate the assistance of our public safety partners and community members who supported the search efforts.” The sheriff’s office also said the circumstances surrounding Phelps’ death remain under investigation.

A GoFundMe organized by family friend Adam Grogg titled “Support for Dickie’s Family During This Crisis” had raised $17,950 of a $28,000 goal at the time of reporting to help cover expenses. While most outlets and the coroner list Phelps as 63, one report listed his age as 62; the coroner’s confirmation supports 63 as the best-documented age. Investigators continue to probe the circumstances and the coroner’s autopsy remains pending; anyone with information can contact the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency dispatch at 843-524-2777.