Wife dead, husband missing after falling through ice during Valentine’s Day Massachusetts dog walk

A lone dog circling alerted bystanders to a Valentine’s Day tragedy after a man and woman disappeared beneath the ice while out on a walk.

A woman’s body has been found, and her husband remains missing after police in Massachusetts announced they suspect the couple fell through the ice while walking their dog.

The Eastham Police Department have revealed that they had responded to a report of a “loose dog” in the area surrounding First Encounter Beach, on the shore of Cape Cod Bay, around 9am local time on February 14.

The caller described the dog as being “wet” and “appearing to be “in distress.”

A police patrol arrived at the scene and immediately located a woman who was screaming for help among the ice in the Bee’s River area.

People report the officer attempted to rescue but also became “completely submerged” after the ice gave way.

“A second officer arrived on scene and observed the officer who had entered the water attempting to pull himself back up onto the ice,” the police statement continued.

The second officer tried to go out onto the ice toward the woman, but he also fell in after the ice gave way.

“Both officers were able to successfully make it back to the shore,” authorities explained.

“The Eastham Fire Department arrived on scene and members of the fire department immediately initiated rescue efforts.”

The two officers were taken to hospital for evaluation before a dive team began a rescue operation to locate find the woman.

“As rescuers were searching the water, an on-scene investigation revealed that the female party may have been out walking with her husband and dog,” police said.

“Based on items located in their vehicle and a check of their residence, it was determined that it was possible that the husband may have fallen through the ice prior to the officer’s arrival.”

The woman was located beneath the ice soon after and was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The Tech team is currently continuing to search the water for the husband,” authorities said in their statement.

“The area is still an active scene, and the public should avoid the area. The name of the deceased female and the missing male are being withheld pending the notification of the next of kin.”

In an update the police department confirmed a follow-up search had been carried out the following day and concluded “without the second victim being located.”

Authorities said the search will continue when ice conditions change. The identities of the victims will not be released publicly at the request of their family.