The mangled body of a local teenage girl was discovered on a remote section of South Beach around 6 a.m. this morning. Questions remain on how she died as police and local officials assured residents that the beaches would be stay for the Fourth of July weekend.
“The Amity Police Department is investigating the tragic death of a teenage girl near one of our fine beaches Sunday night,” said Amity Police Chief Martin Brody in a press release.
The facts of the case remain murky. Christine W. Watson, 17, of 23 Sharkstooth St., Amity Island and a senior at Amity High School, was last seen alive with Christopher P. Hoggenbottam III, another local teen who is a sophomore at Trinity College. The two were seen leaving a beach party on South Beach together at around 11 p.m. Sunday night.
Both Watson and Hoggenbottam had reportedly been drinking heavily and possibly smoking marijuana at the party.
Watson, an excellent swimmer who was a member of the varsity swim team at Amity High School and a lifeguard at the Amity Island YMCA pool, entered the water at a remote section of South Beach near the South Beach Shoal bell buoy. Weather and sea temperatures and conditions at the time were fairly mild.
According to Hoggenbottam, he did not follow Watson into the water due to his inebriation. After noticing that she had not returned from the water, he notified police around 6 a.m. this morning. Watson’s body was recovered after a short search.
Police are currently investigating the cause of death. Watson’s body was severely mauled by an attacker of unknown origin. The body is currently at the coroner’s office post-autopsy. No charges have yet been filed.
At a local press release, medical examiner Dr. Robert Nevin confirmed that the autopsy had been performed, and stated that all evidence pointed to a motor-boating accident.
“I’ve been here thirty years, and this looks like any other motor-boating accident,” said Nevin.
Police Chief Brody stated that police were thoroughly searching the harbor-master’s logs and interviewing local boaters to try to find anyone who was boating in local waters at the time.
Nevin and police, however, are still not ruling out the possibility of a shark attack or homicide, pending investigation. Nevertheless, they emphatically ensured residents that the beaches were safe and would remain open to the public for the Fourth of July weekend, which is Amity Island’s biggest of the season.
“This was so far away from where people swim, we’re just not worried about it,” said Amity Mayor Larry Vaughn.
“We want to assure all residents and visitors on our fine island that they are in no danger,” added Brody. Our lovely beaches will remain open for swimming pending the outcome of the investigation.”
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