Missing Danvers woman found dead in lake in Beverly on Christmas Day, DA says

BEVERLY, Mass. — A missing woman from Danvers was found dead in Wenham Lake in Beverly on Christmas Day, and authorities suspect she fell into the freezing lake while walking her dog and could not get herself out, the district attorney said Wednesday.

Owen Kasozi, 30, was last seen walking into the J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve in Beverly around 3 p.m. Tuesday, and did not return, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said in a statement around 7 p.m. Wednesday night.

No foul play is suspected at this time. An autopsy will be performed to determine the official cause of death, Tucker said.

Authorities said Kasozi is believed to have been walking her dog in the nature preserve at 801 Cabot St. on Route 97 in Beverly, a popular dog-walking location, before she disappeared, Tucker said.

“This is not the search outcome that anyone was hoping for,” said 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.”

Kasozi’s disappearance triggered a search that involved Beverly Police and Fire, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to Tucker’s office, the State Police Airwing unit, and the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council.

The dog was found without its owner Tuesday night in Topsfield.

“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 LeLacheur said in a statement. “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 a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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