A tragic incident unfolded over the weekend when a woman lost her life after falling through the ice of a frozen river in Cape Cod while she was out walking her dog with her husband.
Authorities have identified the victims as 72-year-old Gerard ‘Jerry’ Boucher and his 71-year-old wife, Kathleen ‘Kit’ Boucher. The incident occurred on Saturday morning in Massachusetts, resulting in a heartbreaking drowning accident.
Emergency services from the Eastham Police and Fire Departments were alerted shortly after 9 a.m. following reports of a woman screaming for help in Bee’s River.
Upon reaching the scene, a police officer made an attempt to cross the ice to rescue Kit but unfortunately fell through. Despite the challenges, both officers managed to return safely to shore, according to law enforcement officials.
A second officer also attempted a rescue, only to find the ice giving way underfoot. Thankfully, both officers were able to make it back to safety.
Additional dive and rescue teams arrived quickly, and by 11 a.m., they had successfully pulled Kit from the icy waters.
Kit was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities determined that her husband, Jerry, likely fell through the ice before emergency responders arrived.
On Tuesday, the Eastham Police Department announced that the incoming tide made the ongoing water search ineffective.
Kathleen ‘Kit’ and Gerard ‘Jerry’ Boucher were identified as the victims of a drowning incident on Saturday morning in Cape Cod. The couple were together for over 50 years and are pictured above in a social media post in May, 2025
The couple were walking their dog, Casey, when authorities believe they fell through the ice. Casey is pictured in a social media post in September, 2025
Police officers attempted to pull Kit out of the water, but fell through the ice themselves. First responders determined that Jerry had fallen through the ice before they arrived. The couple met when they were just 15 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year. They are pictured in a social media post from 2022
The department added that it would continue to monitor ice conditions and that water searches may continue in the coming days.
The couple’s daughter, Katy Boucher, told the Boston Globe that her parents met in a summer school biology class when they were 15 years old.
Kit and Jerry were together for 56 years and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year.
‘Wonderful partners, but really good friends. Their relationship was truly a model — affection, respect, fun, shared values,’ Katy added.
The two were from West Hartford, Connecticut, and moved to Cape Cod during their retirement years.
Kit studied education and worked as a kindergarten teacher. Katy said her mom stayed in touch with many of her former students.
Jerry worked as an auto mechanic, HVAC technician, and gas fitter. He was employed with Connecticut Natural Gas for 35 years, his daughter told the Boston Globe.
The couple volunteered during their retirement years and loved their dog, Casey. Katy said Casey was rescued after her parents fell through the ice, but was ‘very shaken.’
Kit’s daughter, Katy, told the Boston Globe that the couple’s dog, Casey, was rescued but was ‘very shaken’ by the tragedy. Kit is pictured with her dog on the beach in a post shared last July
Authorities arrived at the scene just after 9am on Saturday. Dive teams were later sent to rescue Kit and Jerry. Kit was pronounced dead at the scene and first responders weren’t able to find Jerry. Dive team members are pictured searching for the couple above
The Eastham Police Department said that additional information would be shared if it becomes available. Rescue teams are pictured above on the east side of First Encounter Beach in Eastham on February 14
‘We are all heartbroken, but also know that we can get through this, together,’ she added.
The couple’s friends, Dawn Varnum and Peter Miller, told local NBC affiliate, NBC 10 Boston, that the community was devastated by the loss.
They described the pair as kind and caring individuals who were always smiling and making people laugh.
State Representative Steve Xiarhos shared on social media that Kit and Jerry were part of the Cape Cod Athletic Club.
Xiarhos said that everyone who runs on the Cape knew the couple and knew how much they loved living in the beach community.
‘This is such a tragedy in so many ways. A loving couple. A family shattered. A running community grieving. An entire town shaken,’ the state rep added.
The Eastham Police Department issued a statement thanking the first responders who attempted to save the couple and said it would continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
