Wendy W. Watson, a sophomore at Amity High School, was discovered by an Amity Police Deputy, several hours after she disappeared. Her body had been severely mauled by an attacker of unknown origin.
She was last seen alive with an unidentified male leaving a beach party around 11 p.m. Police were notified immediately by her companion when she did not come out of the water after late night skinny dipping in a remote section of the beach. Witnesses at the party said both teenagers had been drinking during the evening.
The cause of death appears to be a shark attack, though other possibilities have not been completely ruled out. Her body has been transported to the coroner’s office for an autopsy. No charges have been filed in the case and police are continuing their investigation into the incident.
SECOND DAY STORY:
For the second day in a row, another tragic death has occurred on the beaches of Amity.
Alex Ferguson, a 10-year-old from Mayfair Court in Amity was killed in what appears to be another shark attack.
“Alex Ferguson was killed in what appears- I repeat, appears- to have been a vicious and unprovoked shark attack,” said Martin Brody, Chief of the Amity Police Department.
Ferguson was floating on a rubber raft in the crowded water of Village Beach when the attack occurred. His body has not been recovered, but his raft floated ashore with what appears to be teeth marks and bites all over it.
The 10-year-old returned to the water after begging his mother, Marian Ferguson, to allow him a few more minutes in the ocean. She hesitantly allowed him 10 more minutes, despite her concern of his cold, pruned fingers. Marian Ferguson is currently being treated for shock at Amity hospital, where she is reported to be in fair condition. There were no other injuries reported.
Officials are beginning to link yesterday’s death of Wendy Watson to the death of Alex Ferguson. Both deaths are still under investigation and no official cause of death has been determined.
“We now believe that it may be possible that the Watson death could also maybe have been linked to the possible shark activities, though the investigation is ongoing at this time,” said Brody.
Police Chief Martin P. Brody, the mayor and the Amity Board of Selectman held a press conference at 5 p.m. today in Town Hall.
At the meeting it was decided by officials to close all the beaches due to the two deaths and the growing concern for the public’s safety. The mayor, however, interposed that the beaches would only be closed for 24-hours because of the significant amount of people this would negatively affect.
It was announced that more police officers would be stationed at the beaches in Amity to oversee the water and watch for dangerous predators. Officials hope to eliminate any more deaths or injuries without closing down the beaches permanently.
A $3,000 reward was being offered to anyone who could catch and kill this dangerous predator. Local fisherman Ben Quint promised to hunt down and kill the perpetrator for $10,000 before anyone else is killed. This offer, however, has not been made official.
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