A somber mood fell over Beverly today as officials confirmed the death of 30-year-old Owen Kasozi, whose body was found in Wenham Lake. Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and Beverly Police Chief John G. LeLacheur announced the news, marking a tragic close to an extensive search effort that unfolded over the holiday.
Kasozi, a Danvers resident, was last seen near Wenham Lake at the J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve, a popular spot for dog walkers. Despite the preserve’s usual calm, something went wrong yesterday afternoon. A search team made up of the Beverly Police, Beverly Fire, and the Massachusetts State Police Airwing unit spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day searching the area. Sadly, their efforts ended in sorrow, not relief.
The missing woman's loyal canine companion was found the previous night, without its owner, in Topsfield. The dog's presence without Kasozi raised the first of many alarms. While initial investigations suggest an accidental fall into the icy lake, which may have prevented Kasozi from escaping, the official cause of death will be clarified after examination by the Chief Medical Examiner's Office.
"On behalf of the Beverly Police Department, I would like to pass along our sincere condolences to the family of Owen Kasozi," said LeLacheur in a statement echoed by both law enforcement and a grieving community, with Tucker adding, "This is not the search outcome that anyone was hoping for," according to a news release from the Essex County District Attorney's Office. Both officials praised the resolve and dedication of the first responders who gave their all over the holiday, the sentiment providing scant comfort to a family now grappling with an irrevocable loss.
