A Mass. woman who went missing while walking her dog on Christmas Eve has been found dead in a frozen lake.
The body of Owen Kasozi, 30, was found in Wenham Lake at the J.C. Philips Nature Preserve in Beverly on Christmas Day, according to a release from the Essex County District Attorney’s Office.
She was last seen entering the nature park with her dog at approximately 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24., according to the release.
Authorities believe that Kasozi fell into freezing Wenham Lake and “was unable to extricate herself,” the release said. No foul play is suspected and her official cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Her dog was found safe on Christmas Eve in nearby Topsfield, the release added.
Wenham Lake in Massachusetts.
Paula Stephens/Shutterstock
“On behalf of the Beverly Police Department, I would like to pass along our sincere condolences to the family of Owen Kasozi,” Beverly Police Chief John G. LeLacheur said in the release. “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.”
“This is not the search outcome that anyone was hoping for,” added Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker. “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.”
In a GoFundMe set up by Kasozi’s family to pay for the unexpected funeral costs, she is described as “a vibrant soul who brought joy and laughter to everyone she met.”
“We come to you with heavy hearts to share the devastating loss of our beloved daughter & sister, Owen Kasozi, who tragically passed away on Christmas Day while walking her dog,” her family added.
“In a heartbreaking accident, she fell into a pond in the park and succumbed to the cold, leaving us all in shock and sorrow.”
“Her passion for life was infectious, and she had a unique ability to make those around her feel valued and loved,” her family continued in the post. “She cherished her family and friends deeply, and her absence will be felt profoundly in our lives.”
