Cape Cod Couple Who Fell Through Ice, Died Were West Hartford Natives: Reports

EASTHAM, MASS./WEST HARTFORD, CT — The elderly couple that fell through the ice at a Cape Cod beach and died were formerly of West Hartford.

According to CT Insider, Kit Boucher, 71, and Jerry Boucher, 72, of Eastham, Mass., on Cape Cod, were longtime West Hartford residents before moving to the Cape.

According to WHDH Channel 7 in Boston, the Bouchers moved to Eastham, Mass., about 18 years ago.

WHDH said the Bouchers grew up in Connecticut and were high school sweethearts who both died on Valentine's Day, Saturday, Feb. 14.

According to WHDH, Kit Boucher was a retired kindergarten teacher while her husband worked at Connecticut Natural Gas.

Reportedly, the couple met while students at Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford, with Kit Boucher also teaching kindergarten in West Hartford as well.

The Eastham, Mass., Police Department confirmed the identities of the Bouchers, with the husband being presumed dead despite his body not being found.

A multiagency search at Bee’s River near First Encounter Beach was suspended Tuesday afternoon after shifting ice conditions made continued operations unsafe, according to Eastham, Mass., police.

Reportedly, the couple was walking their dog when someone called authorities to report a dog running around at the beach by itself.

When police arrived, they found a woman crying for help and the man missing. The woman was pulled from the water, but she did not survive.

In a Feb. 17 press release, the Eastham Police and Fire Departments said units began arriving at 7 a.m. and concluded the operation at about 1:30 p.m.

The search included personnel and equipment from the Eastham Police and Fire Departments, the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team and Air Wing, the Barnstable County Technical Rescue and Dive Team, the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, and Providence Canteen.

Officials said ice conditions were favorable early in the day, allowing divers to enter the water and conduct a broad search of Bee’s River.

Multiple drones and the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing conducted an aerial search of the area.

After approximately four hours, an incoming tide returned large amounts of ice to the river, making continued water operations ineffective, the departments said.

“Ice conditions will continue to be monitored, and additional water searches may occur in the coming days,” the release stated.

With the family’s permission, authorities identified the two victims.

“The Eastham Police and Fire Departments continue to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victims,” the departments said, adding that they thanked regional partners for assistance with the ongoing incident.

Officials said additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

For the full CT Insider report, click on this link.

For the full WHDH Channel 7 report, click on this link.

From Feb. 14: 'Woman Dies After Falling Through Ice While Walking Dog On Cape Cod; Husband Still Missing: Authorities'