Police received a report that a young girl had gone missing after going for a later night swim at South Beach Sunday night. Police later found the girl’s body washed up on the shore mangled, leaving police wondering what happened.
Police Chief Martin Brody says Amity residents and visitors are in no danger even though they are unaware of how the young girl died. Brody announced, “Though a shark attack had not be completely ruled out, we want to assure all residents and visitors on our fine island that they are in no danger.”
Christine W. Watson of Amity was last seen alive leaving a beach party with another teen identified as Christopher P. Hoggenbottam III, former resident of Amity. Witness said the two, who were heavily intoxicated and also may have been under the influence of drugs, decided to go for a late night swim entering the water at a remote section of the South Beach near the South Beach Shoal bell buoy.
Hoggenbottam notified police around 6 a.m. when Watson did not return. Police searched the beach and found Watson’s mangled body. Police reports stated that the body “had been severely mauled by an attacker of unknown origin.” The body has been transported to the coroner’s office for autopsy.
Watson, a senior at Amity high school was an experienced swimmer was a member of the varsity swim team and was also a lifeguard at the local YMCA. The weather on that night was clear and the seas were calm with the wind coming from the south at 3 knots.
As of press time, no charges have been filed. Police were continuing their investigation into the incident. The beaches will remain open for swimming pending the outcome of the investigation.
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