Chrissie

Amity Teen Found Dead on an Amity Beach

Chrissie Watson, 17, of 23 Sharkstooth St., Amity was found dead on a beach in town today.  She was reportedly last seen leaving a beach party with another teen male last night.

The male she was last seen with, who was identified as Christopher Hoggenbottam III, is a sophomore at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., who is a former resident of the island, at around 11 p.m. last night.

Hoggenbottam reported to the police at 6 a.m. that Watson's body had been missing, after he realized she had not returned from her swim.

According to the press release, Hoggenbottam told police that Watson entered the water in a remote section of South Beach near the South Beach bell buoy.

Witnesses told police that the two had been drinking heavily at a bonfire previous to the incident, and possibly smoking marijuana. 

Jay Hendricks, Amity Police Deputy, found Watson's body mangled up early this morning after briefly searching.  Her body has been reportedly mauled by an unkown attacker, and has been transported to the coroner's office for an autopsy. 

Watson was a member of the varsity swim team at Amity High School and a lifeguard at the Amity Island YMCA pool in Oak Bluffs.

The attack, which is still being investigated, is thought to possibly be a shark attack.  However, according to Hendricks, the likelihood that it was a shark attack are very, very slim. 

"There is no evidence that it was a shark attack," he said. "It could have been an assault, we don't know."

The beaches of Amity Island are still open for swimming until outcome of the investigation is released. 

If anyone has any other information about this incident, please email brodyman@beachcop.com with your information.