Death of teenage girl found on beach being investigated
AMITY - The body of a teenage girl was found early this morning washed up on the beach after a brief search by the Amity Village Police Department.
The girl, identified as that of Christine Watson, was reported missing at 6 a.m. this morning by Christopher Hoggenbottam III, a former resident of the island and sophomore at Trinity College.
Watson, a 17-year-old resident of the island and senior at Amity High School, was last seen alive leaving a beach party with Hoggenbottam around 11 p.m. Sunday.
According to the Amity Police Chief Martin Brody, Watson decided to go swimming and entered the water at a remote section of South Beach, near the South Beach Shoal bell buoy.
According to the local weather report, the weather was clear and the seas were calm when Watson entered the water.
According to the local weather report, the weather was clear and the seas were calm when Watson entered the water.
When Watson, a member of AHS’s varsity swim team and lifeguard at the Amity Island YMCA, did not return from the water, a concerned Hoggenbottam notified police officials.
Witnesses told police investigators that both teenagers had been drinking heavily and possibly smoking marijuana throughout the course of the evening.
Her body was found severely mauled by an attacker of unknown origin and was transported to the coroner’s office for autopsy shortly after it was discovered.
The medical examiner assigned to the case, Dr. Robert Nevin, said that it is likely Watson was killed due to a motorboat accident, explaining she could've easily gotten caught in the propeller. According to Dr. Nevin, "her body appeared just like every other body in a motorboat accident."
The medical examiner assigned to the case, Dr. Robert Nevin, said that it is likely Watson was killed due to a motorboat accident, explaining she could've easily gotten caught in the propeller. According to Dr. Nevin, "her body appeared just like every other body in a motorboat accident."
As of yet, no charges have been filed in the case, and police are continuing to investigate the incident involving Watson’s death.
Although a shark attack has not been confirmed nor denied, Brody wants to assure all residents and visitors that they are in no threat of danger.
He confirmed that “our lovely beaches will remain open for swimming pending the outcome of the investigation.”
No comments:
Post a Comment