Amity Village Police Department is investigating the
death of Amity High School senior Chrissie Watson, after her mangled body was
found washed up on the beach this morning.
Watson, 17, of 23 Sharkstooth St., was last seen
leaving a party Sunday night when she decided to go swimming. She entered the
water at a remote section of South Beach, near the South Beach buoy.
Christopher P. Hoggenbottom III, a sophomore at
Trinity College and formerly of Amity Island, notified police at 6 a.m. this
morning that Watson never returned from the water. He was the last one to see
Watson alive as they left the party together Sunday night around 11 p.m.
Partygoer Erika Duperville said she had seen Watson
talking to Hoggenbottom Sunday night, and that he followed her as she left the
party. “She didn’t seem intoxicated at all,” said Duperville, “but Hoggenbottom
had a couple beers.”
In a press conference, Police Chief Martin Brody
said that they are not looking at any suspects at this time. Police reported that a shark attack has not
been ruled out as the cause of the attack, but alcohol and drugs may have also
been involved.
“There hasn’t been a shark attack in years,” said
Brody, “if there’s ever been one at all. It can’t be ruled out, but neither can
any other possibility.” Brody said that there is no present danger to the
islanders, and that the beaches will remain open as the investigation
continues.
Police Deputy Jay Hendricks found Watson’s body
washed ashore this morning. It appeared as though she had been severely mauled,
though the attacker is unknown at this time. Her body was transported to the
coroner’s office for autopsy. No charges have yet been filed.
Watson was an active member of the Amity Island community.
She worked as a lifeguard at the Amity Island YMCA pool in Oak Bluffs, and
competed as a member of the varsity swim team at her high school.
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