Man's body recovered days after he and wife fell through ice on Cape Cod

A man’s body has been found nearly a week after he and his wife fell through the ice while walking their dog on First Encounter Beach in Eastham, Massachusetts.

Eastham police said in an update Friday that they had located the body of Gerard Boucher around 9:30 a.m. following an additional extensive search operation at Bee’s River.

The 72-year-old’s body was discovered in a marsh area about half a mile to the northeast of the Bee’s River parking lot, according to police, who said ice conditions had significantly subsided, allowing for a much easier search by land at mid-morning low tide.

Kathleen “Kit” Bouchard’s body was found last weekend, and the couple’s beloved dog, Casey, was safely taken from the beach by Eastham’s animal control officer and ultimately reunited with extended family, but Gerard had remained missing despite multiple searches since the incident first unfolded.

Eastham police previously said officers found Kathleen about 30 feet from shore, screaming for help in the river around 9 a.m. Saturday after receiving a 911 call for an unattended dog on the beach. Two officers tried to rescue Kathleen, but both fell through the ice themselves. They were able to get back to land and were taken to Cape Cod Hospital for evaluation.

Eastham Fire Department crews were unable to immediately locate Kathleen. Multiple additional resources were called to the scene, and divers found the 71-year-old’s body under the ice around 11 a.m. at which time she was pronounced dead.

Investigators said at the time they believed Gerard fell through the ice prior to the arrival of emergency personnel and did not resurface. There were extensive searches for him but they were unsuccessful until Friday.

Eastham Fire Chief Lisa Albino and Police Chief Adam Bohannon previously commended the “bravery and selfless actions of all involved first responders during this search in extremely difficult conditions.”

On Friday, police reiterated their sincere condolences to the Boucher’s family and friends, while thanking their regional partners for their hard work and commitment to locating Gerard and bringing closure to this tragic incident.

Massachusetts State Rep. Steve Xiarhos shared a post on Facebook later Friday reacting to the news that Gerard had been found, writing, “TOGETHER AGAIN”

Xiarhos, who says he was friends with the Eastham couple, called them wonderful fellow Cape Codders who were also members of the Cape Cod Athletic Running Club.

“It is a heartbreaking outcome for a family that meant so much to so many,” Xiarhos said. “They had huge, warm hearts and were the kind of people who quietly showed up for others, volunteered their time, and made our community stronger simply by being part of it. The loss of both of them leaves an emptiness that will be felt far beyond their neighborhood.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with their children, grandchildren, and all who loved them,” Xiarhos added. “We stand together as a community in support, and we remain grateful to the first responders who answered the call with professionalism and heart.”

The family said in a statement earlier this week that they are devastated by the tragic loss of their beloved parents, Kit and Jerry, who had known each other since they were 15 years old.

“We are thankful for the outpouring of love, and appreciate the privacy and discretion the community is extending to our family during this unimaginably difficult time,” the family said.