Chrissie

Amity Death Taints Summer Spirit

The start of the summer season was violently disturbed this morning by the death of a local teenage girl. Found dead on the South Beach sands, the body of Chrissie Watson is currently under investigation.

Senior at Amity High School, Chrissie Watson, 17, was reported missing this morning at 6 a.m. by former islander Christopher Hoggenbottam III, sophomore at Trinity College.

The two were last seen drinking with a collective group of young adults and heading towards the secluded area of South Beach Shoal.

“I saw her at the party just sitting there talking to [Hoggenbottam],” said Erika Dupervil. “He had a few beers but he didn’t seem heavily intoxicated.”

Hoggenbottam reported running after Watson along the beach, scattering clothes onto the sand. As a member of the varsity swim team at Amity High School and a lifeguard at the Amity Island YMCA pool, Watson swam into the ocean. The calm waters led no suspect to any violent disturbance.

After drinking on the beach, Hoggenbottam fell asleep to the sounds of the South Beach Shoal bell buoy and woke up to realize Watson had not returned from the water.

In an investigation led by Amity Police Chief, Martin Brody, the body of Watson was found washed onto the beach by Police Deputy, Jay Hendricks.

There is currently no evidence for suspects in the death of Watson and no charges will be filed. Although not completely ruled out, there is no specific proof of a shark attack.

In a press conference with Brody, not many details were concluded from Watson’s death. The body is currently at the coroner’s office for autopsy.

Since there have been no past reports of shark attacks, the Amity beaches will remain open for the summer season until further conclusions of the investigation.