Missing and possibly endangered Massachusetts woman found deceased, suspected cause of death released

BEVERLY, Mass. – December 25, 2024 – Today, Owen Kasozi, 30, of Danvers, was found deceased in Wenham Lake in Beverly, Beverly Police Chief John G. LeLacheur and Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker announced this evening. Kasozi was last seen entering the J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve in Beverly near Wenham Lake at approximately 3:00 p.m. yesterday and did not return, triggering a search that involved the Beverly Police Department, Beverly Fire Department, the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) Detective Unit assigned to Tucker’s office, the MSP Airwing unit, and the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC).

Authorities say Kasozi is believed to have been walking her dog in the nature preserve located at 801 Cabot Street on Route 97 in Beverly, a popular dog-walking location, prior to her disappearance. The dog was located without its owner last night in Topsfield.

Authorities suspect that Kasozi fell into the freezing lake yesterday and was unable to extricate herself. No foul play is suspected at this time, however the official cause of death will be determined by an investigation to be conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

“On behalf of the Beverly Police Department, I would like to pass along our sincere condolences to the family of Owen Kasozi,” said LeLacheur. “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,” 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.”