Michael Gray, a 31-year-old Peabody man, was missing for more than a month before his body washed up ashore off Edgemere Road last week, bringing a tragic close to his story.
Marblehead police responded to a call at the beach near Edgemere Road around 4 p.m. last Thursday, after a woman walking her dog reported she found a body there. Officials identified Gray’s body as the one that came ashore on Saturday.
In a lengthy tribute posted to Instagram, Gray’s wife, Jules LoRusso, wrote that Gray was the “brightest light” in her life. She wrote that Gray, who had recently begun “cold plunging” to clear his mind, likely intended to do so off Juniper Beach on the night of Dec. 10.
“The truth of what happened was such an innocent but reckless mistake … but it ended in a fatal tragedy,” LoRusso wrote.
“My twin flame and my soul mate all in one, my best friend, my dance partner, my sous chef, the love of my life. I am so blessed that we had 10 beautiful years of friendship that turned into partnership,” she continued. “I am forever changed because of him, the absolute love of my life and I will walk forward with a forever scar across my whole heart and soul.”
Since the discovery, an online fundraiser launched by LoRusso’s mother has garnered more than $19,000 in donations. LoRusso’s mother wrote that her daughter “not only lost her husband, but [also] lost her best friend.”
“This donation will allow Julie the space to grieve without having to worry about any financial burden, and also allow us to give Mike the celebration of life that he deserves,” a post attached to the fundraiser reads.