I can't even imagine how they feel right now, to lose two loved ones at the same time.
— Chief Adam Bohannon Chief, Eastham Police Department
Search Continues in Icy Tragedy in Eastham
UPDATE Feb 20 2026 - Eastham police announced that searchers found the body of Gerard Boucher on Friday morning, after a search resumed following rain and reduced ice.
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18 February 2026 – EASTHAM MA – A Valentine’s Day walk for an Eastham couple and their dog along First Encounter Beach and Bee’s River turned into tragedy as both husband and wife fell through sea ice and perished.
What is happening with the search?
On Tuesday, the search for the man continued with support from rescue units across the Cape, as well as the state police. Eastham Police Chief Adam Bohannon said weather impacted the safety of divers and will continue to dictate when the search can continue.
UPDATE Feb 20 2026 – Eastham police announced that searchers found the body of Gerard Boucher on Friday morning, after a search resumed following rain and reduced ice.
Why is there a search?
On a sunny winter day, trails along the Cape’s many beaches and marshes look stunningly beautiful. Yet the salt- and brackish-water ice, combined with tides running in and out, bring a hidden and potentially deadly risk – which is what happened to the Eastham couple.
Authorities say Gerard Boucher, 72, Kathleen Boucher, 71, and their dog Casey were walking at the snowy, icy beach on the Bay side of Eastham Saturday morning. A caller reported a wet dog in distress running in the parking lot. When responders arrived, they heard a woman screaming.
Officers attempting a rescue also fell through the ice, and two were taken to Cape Cod Hospital. Rescue teams recovered the woman’s body around 11 a.m.
Who is participating in the search?
Eastham Police Chief Bohannon said 20 to 25 divers were participating in the search in shifts. Helicopters and drones could also be seen surveying the area.
What is the family’s response?
In a statement, the family said the couple had known each other since they were 15 years old. “We are devastated by the tragic loss of our beloved parents, Kit and Jerry Boucher. We are deeply grateful for the heroic efforts of the first responders in Eastham. 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.”
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For more information:
Mass.gov guide to ice safety: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/ice-strength-and-safety
