Beaufort, January 17, 2026
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is seeking public assistance in locating 31-year-old Ashley Kaye Ball, reported missing by her family. With the report surfacing about 16 hours ago, authorities emphasize the importance of community involvement in confirming her well-being. They are urging anyone with information to come forward. The investigation highlights that there is no waiting period to report a missing person in South Carolina, advocating for swift communication and transparency in such cases.
Beaufort, S.C.
Authorities Seek Public Assistance in Locating Missing Beaufort Woman
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is urgently seeking the public’s help in locating 31-year-old Ashley Kaye Ball, who was reported missing by her family. Authorities are working to confirm her well-being, with the initial report surfacing approximately 16 hours ago and further updates provided within the last 10 hours. Deputies began seeking to confirm the well-being of a missing Beaufort woman two days ago.
Urgent Appeal for Information
Ashley Kaye Ball, a resident of Beaufort, S.C., has been the subject of a missing person report filed by her family. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance are not immediately clear, prompting law enforcement to issue a plea to the community for any information that could assist in her safe return or help confirm her current status. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is the primary agency investigating her disappearance.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Involvement
Law enforcement agencies across South Carolina emphasize the critical role the public plays in missing person cases. When an individual’s whereabouts become unknown and unexplainable for a period considered unusual, especially given their routine or behavior, it prompts an official missing person report. There is no waiting period to report a missing person in South Carolina.
In cases such as this, local law enforcement agencies typically initiate a comprehensive search and investigation. This includes filing a report, determining the status of the missing person, making necessary notifications and broadcasts, and requesting additional resources as needed. Information about missing individuals is also often entered and updated in regional and national databases, like the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
Family members or legal custodians of a missing person can submit a report to the Missing Persons Information Center (MPIC) in South Carolina after first reporting it to the local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction. The MPIC provides state-level assistance and coordination for such cases.
How the Community Can Help
Anyone with information regarding Ashley Kaye Ball’s whereabouts is strongly encouraged to contact the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office immediately. Tips, no matter how minor they may seem, can be crucial in piecing together the events leading to a disappearance and ultimately locating the individual. Members of the public are advised to provide any details they possess, including when and where she was last seen, her description, or any known associates or places she might frequent.
The Sheriff’s Office depends on community partnership to ensure public safety and resolve cases of missing individuals. Swift communication of information can significantly impact the outcome of an investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the missing person mentioned in the article?
- The missing person is 31-year-old Ashley Kaye Ball of Beaufort, S.C.
- Which authority is seeking help to locate Ashley Kaye Ball?
- The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help to locate Ashley Kaye Ball.
- When was Ashley Kaye Ball reported missing?
- Ashley Kaye Ball was reported missing by her family approximately 16 hours ago, with authorities seeking to confirm her well-being as early as two days ago. Information was updated within the last 10 hours.
- Is there a waiting period to report a missing person in South Carolina?
- No, there is no waiting period to report a missing person in South Carolina.
- How can the public provide information about missing persons in South Carolina?
- The public can contact their local law enforcement agency, such as the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office for this specific case, with any information. Family members or legal custodians can also submit a report to the state-level Missing Persons Information Center (MPIC) after reporting it locally.
Key Details: Missing Person Case
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Name of Missing Person | Ashley Kaye Ball | Local |
| Age | 31 years old | Local |
| Location | Beaufort, S.C. | Local |
| Reporting Party | Family | Local |
| Investigating Authority | Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office | Local |
| Timeline of Report | Reported approx. 16 hours ago; well-being checks initiated 2 days ago; updated 10 hours ago. | Local |
| Waiting Period for Reporting (State-level) | No waiting period in South Carolina. | State-level |
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Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
