❄️ “My husband! Please save him first!” — These desperate final words from a woman fighting for her life in freezing water still echo on Cape Cod…

On Valentine’s Day, a loving couple took their dog for a routine walk along Bee’s River in Eastham — but thin ice gave way, plunging them into icy depths. A bystander heard her pleading cries as she vanished beneath the surface, prioritizing her husband’s survival even as she drowned.

Her body was recovered hours later. Her husband remains missing despite relentless searches. Miraculously, their loyal dog clawed its way out and was found alive, wet and distressed — the only one to make it back to shore.

Now the tight-knit community holds its breath: In water this cold, could a strong swimmer still be alive after days? The heartbreaking selflessness, the unanswered questions, the faithful pup waiting for its owners… this story is tearing hearts apart.💔🐕🧊

A Valentine’s Day walk turned tragic for a longtime Cape Cod couple when thin ice on Bee’s River gave way, claiming the life of the wife and leaving her husband missing days later. The woman’s final words — a desperate plea to rescuers to save her husband first — were overheard by a witness as she struggled in the frigid water before disappearing beneath the surface.

Eastham Police identified the victims as Kathleen “Kit” Boucher, 71, and Gerard “Jerry” Boucher, 72, both longtime residents of the coastal town. The couple, high school sweethearts who met as teenagers, had moved to Eastham full-time about 18 years ago after retiring from careers in education and utilities. Friends described them as inseparable, often seen walking their black Labrador, Casey, along local beaches and trails.

The incident unfolded around 9 a.m. on February 14 at First Encounter Beach, near Bee’s River — a tidal area connecting to Cape Cod Bay. Police responded to a 911 call reporting a loose, wet dog in distress in the parking lot. An officer arriving on scene heard a woman screaming for help and located Kit Boucher partially submerged after falling through the ice.

As the officer attempted a rescue, the ice cracked again, sending both into the water. A second officer joined the effort but also fell through; both made it back to shore and were hospitalized for evaluation, though neither suffered life-threatening injuries. Dive teams from the Eastham Fire Department and Barnstable County Technical Rescue were activated.

Kit’s body was recovered under the ice around 11:12 a.m. and pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators determined the couple had been walking together with their dog when the accident occurred. Jerry is believed to have fallen through first or shortly after, though exact details remain unclear due to the hazardous conditions.

A witness near the area reported hearing Kit’s last words: “My husband! Please save him first!” — a selfless cry that highlighted her concern for Jerry even as she fought to stay afloat in water temperatures likely in the low 40s or colder. Hypothermia sets in rapidly in such conditions, with survival times measured in minutes for most people without flotation or quick rescue.

Search efforts for Jerry continued over the weekend but were suspended Sunday due to unsafe ice conditions and limited visibility for divers. Officials stated searches would resume when ice changes allow safer access for public safety personnel. As of February 18, he remains missing, with no recovery reported.

Miraculously, the couple’s dog, Casey, survived. The black Lab was found wet and wandering the parking lot, apparently having clawed its way out of the water after the fall. The pet was reunited with extended family members, providing a small point of relief amid the grief.

Family members spoke out through relatives and local officials. Their children released a statement expressing devastation: “Our family is heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved parents, Kit and Jerry Boucher.” Friends echoed the sentiment, with one telling WHDH that the pair were “a very loving couple” who volunteered in the community and cherished their daily walks. Dawn Varnum, a friend, noted they “walk all the beaches, all the time” and adored their dog.

The Bouchers were remembered as active retirees who embraced Cape Cod’s natural beauty. Kit, a former kindergarten teacher possibly at Bugbee Elementary in West Hartford before the move, and Jerry, who worked for Connecticut Natural Gas, had built a quiet life in Eastham. Neighbors and acquaintances expressed shock at the sudden loss in a familiar spot many locals frequent.

The tragedy has spotlighted the dangers of thin ice on tidal waters, even for experienced locals. Cape Cod’s coastal inlets and rivers can freeze unevenly, with currents and tides creating weak spots. Authorities have reiterated warnings against venturing onto frozen surfaces, especially after recent weather fluctuations.

Search operations involve multiple agencies, including state police and dive teams trained for cold-water recoveries. Challenges include poor underwater visibility, strong currents, and unstable ice, complicating efforts in the Bee’s River area.

The community has rallied with condolences online and through local channels. Massachusetts State Rep. Steve Xiarhos expressed heartbreak over the loss and ongoing search. Vigil plans or memorials may follow as more details emerge.

For now, Eastham waits. The dog’s survival offers a glimmer of hope, but questions linger: Could Jerry, described as a strong swimmer by some accounts, have made it to safety elsewhere? Or has the cold claimed both? In water this frigid, experts say chances diminish sharply after the first hour without rescue.

As the investigation continues — including how the couple ended up on the ice — the focus remains on the couple’s legacy of love and community involvement. Their story serves as a somber reminder of nature’s unpredictability, even on a day meant for romance.