Woman blamed in fiance's kayaking death leaves prison

GOSHEN, New York -- A woman initially charged with murder in the drowning death of her fiance during a New York kayak outing has been released from prison after pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

Here is video showing her walk out with her attorney:


Thirty-seven-year-old Angelika Graswald, of Poughkeepsie, admitted she should have perceived the risk of danger and was sentenced in November to 16 months to four years in prison.

Graswald and 46-year-old Vincent Viafore went kayaking on a choppy Hudson River in April 2015. Investigators initially said Viafore's kayak started sinking after Graswald secretly removed a drain plug.

State corrections spokesman Thomas Mailey says Graswald is being conditionally released from Bedford Hills Correctional Facility on Thursday.

Graswald has been in prison since her arrest, and it's counted as time served. Prosecutors say she could face deportation to her native Latvia after parole.

----------
* More Northern Suburbs news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts