Body Found in Sterling Heights Is Missing Chesterfield Woman

A body discovered near a Sterling Heights retention pond has been positively identified as Karen Cernak, a missing 41-year-old Chesterfield Township woman, Macomb County Medical Examiner Dr. Daniel Spitz said Saturday.

An autopsy conducted Friday on the body found the previous day led to the identification. However, Spitz declined to comment on autopsy findings, deferring such announcements to police. Sterling Heights and Chesterfield Township police could not immediately be reached Saturday morning to comment on the case.

Spitz declined to say whether suicide has been determined as the cause of death. Sterling Heights police reported that several empty prescription pill bottles and an apparent suicide note were found near the body.

Cernak had been reported missing by her family Dec. 31. She was reportedly last seen when she was dropped off at Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights. Officers responded to a call Thursday regarding a body under pine trees near the retention pond in the Schoenherr and Canal area.

Her family searched desperately in the following months and urged for her safe return.

Her mother, Kathie Cernak, could not immediately be reached for comment Saturday.