Lost dog found wet in freezing cold leads police to Christmas tragedy

A lost dog found wet in the freezing cold on Christmas Eve led police to its owner who tragically died after falling into a pond in Massachusetts.

Owen Kasozi, 30, was walking her beloved pooch named Bokka, a four-year-old Aussie Shepherd, in J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve located in Beverly, a suburb in Boston, around 3pm on Tuesday when she vanished. 

Her concerned family called police and filed a missing person's report. The Beverly Police Department, Beverly Fire Department, the Massachusetts State Police  searched the area for the young woman by helicopter and on foot.

Bokka was found hours later in a town called Topsfied, approximately five miles from where the nature preserve is located, soaking wet and freezing cold.

Beverly Police Chief John G. LeLacheur and Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker announced the grim news on Christmas Day that Kasozi was deceased and her body was found in Wenham Lake in Beverly.

Alexandria Nakato told DailyMail.com that Owen was her younger sister but was too grief-stricken to speak. 

In a Facebook post, she wrote 'my beautiful sister is gone,' less than 24 hours after she went missing. 

 It is unclear if the blue-eyed-brown-eyed dog suffered any hypothermia from the tragic event. 

The area that Kasozi was located in is believed to be a popular dog-walking location.

Authorities believe the young woman may have been chasing after her dog when she fell into the freezing lake and was unable to extricate herself. 

No foul play is expected at this time, and the official cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, as per a news release. 

The Essex County District Attorney said, 'This is not the search outcome that anyone was hoping for.'

'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,' he said.

Kasozi's sister wrote in a GoFundMe about the horrific tragedy.

'In a heartbreaking accident, she fell into a pond in the park and succumbed to the cold, leaving us all in shock and sorrow,' Nakato wrote.

 
'Owen was a vibrant soul who brought joy and laughter to everyone she met. 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.'

The family is planning a burial service for Kasozi on Friday and reaching out to the community to help them cover the unexpected burial costs.

'Your contributions, no matter how small, will allow us to give her a dignified farewell during this difficult time,' Nakato wrote, in part. 'We deeply appreciate your support and compassion

As of Thursday afternoon, nearly $7,400 has been raised towards their goal of $30,000.