Grand Rapids woman’s death deemed accidental

A routine walk that turned tragic is being called an accident by the Grand Rapids Police Department.

Sailaja Cherukuri, 43, was found dead on the west end of Lake Wazeecha around 11 a.m. on Jan. 3.

The Grand Rapids Police Department was informed of her disappearance at 9 p.m. on Jan. 2 when Cherukuri’s husband called the police because she didn’t return from her usual evening walk. Cherukuri and her husband were on good terms when she had left their residence on the 5700 block of Honeysuckle Lane.

With the Wood County Rescue and Grand Rapids Fire Department assisting with the search throughout the night, the rescue workers began Tuesday morning’s search by going to Lake Wazeecha where the body was found shortly after.

“We are assuming she slipped and fell,” Grand Rapids Police Chief Dave Lewandowski said.

At the conclusion of the investigation conducted by the Grand Rapids Police Department, authorities think the evidence points to the death being accidental and do not expect foul play. There will be no autopsy of Cherukuri’s body.

“An autopsy couldn’t tell me more than I already know,” Wood County Coroner Garry Kronstedt said.

She was probably walking on the rocks by the lake when she slipped and fell face down and drowned, he said. There were no signs of trauma or struggle and the only set of footprints found were hers.

Her clothes were completely soaked even though the water was shallow where she was found, Kronstedt said.

“Her whole body had been submerged,” he said. “All evidence points it was an accident.”