A 30 -year-old Massachusetts woman, Owen Kasozi, who vanished while walking her dog on Christmas Eve, was found deceased in Wenham Lake at the J.C. Philips Nature Preserve in Beverly on Christmas Day, the Essex County District Attorney’s Office confirmed.
Kasozi was last seen entering the preserve around 3 p.m. on December 24. Authorities believe she accidentally fell into the icy waters of Wenham Lake and was unable to escape.
There is no suspicion of foul play, with the official cause of death to be confirmed by the medical examiner. Her dog was found safe in nearby Topsfield on the same evening.
Beverly Police Chief John G. LeLacheur expressed condolences, stating, “On behalf of the Beverly Police Department, I would like to pass along our sincere condolences to the family of Owen Kasozi. I would also like to thank all the first responders for being able to give the family some degree of closure in the wake of this difficult search process.”
Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker remarked on the tragic outcome, saying, “This is not the search outcome that anyone was hoping for. We appreciate the efforts of all our law enforcement partners who worked diligently over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to locate Owen Kasozi. Our thoughts are with her family as they begin to cope with this painful loss.”
A GoFundMe page established by Kasozi’s family to cover funeral expenses portrays her as “a vibrant soul who brought joy and laughter to everyone she met,” reflecting the deep impact of her loss on those who knew her.
