Woman who went missing walking her dog found dead in Beverly lake

Investigators believe Owen Kasozi fell into a freezing lake while walking her dog and was unable to free herself.

December 26, 2024 | 11:44 AM

2 minutes to read

A Danvers woman reported missing on Christmas Eve was found dead in Wenham Lake in Beverly on Wednesday, authorities said.

Owen Kasozi, 30, was last seen entering the J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve in Beverly around 3 p.m. Tuesday, and authorities launched a search for her when she didn’t return, the Essex County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release. Kasozi was reportedly walking her dog at the nature preserve prior to her disappearance.

Owen Kasozi. – Beverly Police Department

Investigators believe she fell into the freezing lake and was unable to free herself, according to the news release. Her dog was found alone in Topsfield Tuesday night.

Authorities do not suspect foul play at this time, but Kasozi’s official cause of death is pending an investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the DA’s office said.

“This is not the search outcome that anyone was hoping for,” Essex District Attorney Paul F. Tucker said in a statement. “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.”

Search efforts involved Beverly police and fire crews, Massachusetts State Police detectives, the State Police Air Wing unit, and the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council.

“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 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.”

Kasozi’s family has launched a GoFundMe to raise money for her funeral expenses.

“Owen was a vibrant soul who brought joy and laughter to everyone she met,” her family wrote in the fundraiser’s description. “Her passion for life was infectious, and she had a unique ability to make those around her feel valued and loved. She cherished her family and friends deeply, and her absence will be felt profoundly in our lives.”