Autopsy under way on popular Coolidge store clerk

A Coolidge store clerk was found dead in an indoor home swimming pool by coworkers about 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, after he failed to show up for work, according to Chief of Police Winson Brewer.

An autopsy is under way to determine the cause of death of Chinna Lekkala, 39, Brewer said.

“Right now, it’s just an unattended death — no one was there,” he said. “I wouldn’t even hazard to speculate about the cause. We just don’t know until we get the autopsy back.”

Brewer said speculation by some town people that the death might be a result of foul play is unfounded at this point.

“People can sometimes get carried away,” he said.

Lekkala was a longtime employee at Cool Stop, the only store in the 777-population town. “Everyone knew him and liked him,” Brewer said.

Cool Stop coworker William Chrisner said he found Lekkala’s body.

“It was a shock,” he said. “I called 911 and removed myself from the place.”

Chrisner said that he went to check on Lekkala when he failed to show up for work.

“He had never done anything like that before,” he said.

Chrisner said that he observed nothing suspicious at the time he discovered the body.

“He was a really nice guy,” he said. “Everybody really liked him.”

The large house with the indoor swimming pool where Lekkala was found is reportedly occupied by several roommates.