Authorities identify woman found on Lake Michigan shoreline; death ruled suicide
Authorities have identified the body discovered on the Lake Michigan shoreline last week as a 48-year-old Holland Township woman.
PARK TWP.— Authorities have identified the body discovered on the Lake Michigan shoreline last week as a 48-year-old Holland Township woman.
Following an autopsy completed Monday, Jan. 12, by the Ottawa County Medical Examiner’s Office, officials determined the cause of death was drowning.
The manner of death has been ruled a suicide, according to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, which declined to release the woman’s name.
The discovery was made at approximately 2:24 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, near the shoreline in Park Township. The Ottawa County man who found the body spoke to an Ottawa News Network reporter Monday about the finding. He asked to remain anonymous.
The man said he was taking a walk about the shore near Holland State Park, where he typically finds driftwood and sometimes picks up trash along the shoreline.
But as he got closer to Spyglass Hill Condominiums, he encountered the deceased individual, partially clothed.
"I saw this large something. And as I got closer, I saw that it was a body," the witness said.
"I stared at the body for a while to see if I could see any signs of life. I saw no sign of breathing.”
The discovery launched a complicated emergency response.
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With the witness standing on the sand away from any street markers, a 911 operator required a physical address to dispatch units. The man scrambled up the dunes, navigating private stairways and fenced parking areas in search of an address sign. Once he located an address, dispatch was able to send emergency personnel to the scene.
While the investigation into the woman’s death remains open, detectives with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office stated they do not suspect foul play.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office or Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT (745368).
— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at hvandyke@ottawanewsnetwork.org.
