Who was Zahrie Walls and what happened to her? Tributes pour in as celebrity stylist reportedly dies at 27

Zahrie Walls, a 27-year-old Chicago native, tragically passed away after drowning in Lake Michigan on Saturday, June 21, according to WLS-TV (ABC 7 Chicago). The authorities pulled her out near Navy Pier around 5:30 pm, and she was rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Walls was well-known as a celebrity stylist on Instagram, with her account @zahriethestylist having over 75K followers. Most of the posts on Zahrie’s account were short clips of clients, while she occasionally posted her pictures. On Saturday, the stylist went boating with her friends, according to her mother, Kizzy Wells.

Wells told the Chicago Tribune that her daughter “was on a boat and allegedly fell off due to the current,” calling it “a spur-of-the-moment thing.” She revealed that Zahrie rarely went out and was always busy with her work, traveling to different cities and doing “10 to 12 (hair appointments)” daily.

After Zahrie allegedly fell from a yacht into Lake Michigan, Kizzy Wells reportedly received a call from her friends. In a conversation with the Chicago Tribune, Walls’ mother said that she was joined by her family and friends “at Northwestern holding.” She added,

“We were all unsure what happened. I know they tried their best to save her. … We knew it was her in the water, but no one knew if she survived, but, I just knew, I felt it. A mother knows.”

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Internet users pay tribute and share concerns after Zahrie Walls’ unexpected demise

Hours after posting via Instagram Stories, the influencer/stylist passed away due to a mishap at the lake. Kwesi (@thatkcguy__) reposted her final story on the platform and shared about the incident,

“NEW: RIP 🕊️ Popular Hair stylist Zahrie Walls passes away from drowning during this years Chicago Black Yacht event. Zahrie reportedly fell off the boat and friends attempted to help by throwing her a rope & vest.”

He added,

“Her last Instagram stories on the boat are still up.”

Many paid tributes to Zahrie Walls under Kwesi’s post, while some of them also shared their safety concerns. Here are some of the comments under @thatkcguy__’s Instagram post about the stylist.

“Boat safety is so important praying for our lost ones loved ones and friends/family from Black Yacht weekend in Chicago,” @theholyki wrote.

“Hoensly never know when it’s ya last day. LIVE YA LIFE LOVE YA PEOPLE 🙌❤️,” @hawaii.made.me added.

“This is so sadddddd.😔 even if you know how to swim, when tides are high, it’s extremely dangerous for anyoneeee. Rip to her!!” @briamontgomery_ said.

“That’s so sad I was going to this years event but didn’t go last minute ! Wow RIP,” @iammsbenanne commented.

A user (@auttybynature) commented under the post,

“Heartbreaking smh 💔”

Another user (@the_real_nikkinicole) shared,

“Damn this is quite sad everybody saying what she shoulda done when she already paid for whatever she didn’t with her LIFE have some respect for the deceased! May she RIP 🤍🕊️🙏🏾.”

According to the Chicago Tribune, Zahrie Walls’ mother revealed that her daughter was the best friend of Kenneka Jenkins, who passed away at 19 in 2017. Wells told the newspaper,

“Kenneka was her person to try different hairstyles on when she was just learning.She never healed (from her death). She has her name tattooed on her upper shoulder.”

In September 2017, Jenkins visited Rosemont, Illinois’ Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare hotel to attend a party. Jenkins was found deceased inside a freezer in the hotel, and her death was reportedly ruled out as accidental.