Convicted sex offender released from prison

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The man charged in the drug overdose death of a Kitchener teen was released from prison today. 55 year old Christopher Watts is a convicted sex offender who targets underage girls. One of those girls was 14 year old Amanda Raymond, who’s family sat down with Adam Atkinson, to discuss how they feel 14 years later.

“She was a lot of fun, she was a great kid and then we started having a little difficulty in her teenage years” says Amanda’s mother Theresa.

When she was 14, Amanda Raymond got caught up in an older crowd, started doing drugs and partying. On June 28, 2001, she was found dead at the home of 41 year old Christopher Watts, on Puslinch Lake.

Watts was accused of drugging the teen, and sexually assaulting her.

Christopher Watts served 14 years for manslaughter, sexual interference, and sexual assault in the death of Amanda Raymond. As hard as she has tried, Amanda’s mother says still can’t forgive Watts for what he took from her.

“You know I’ve tried to forgive, I can’t, I can’t. I feel horrible that I can’t but at the same time he took so much from me.”

Vancouver police released Watts picture today and warned the community that Christopher Watts a high-risk sex offender with a history of targeting kids is out of prison, and plans to live there.

“It seems like such an injustice for Amanda at this point. He did take her life. I don’t think he’s served enough time.”

Amanda’s sister Emily was only 5 when her sister died, she started a petition to keep Watts in prison. Even though it didn’t work she’s glad people know what he’s done.

But living life without her older sister has been a challenge. “It was really hard, when I was younger I didn’t understand it that well and then when I got older I understood it and it got harder.”

Amanda’s mother says the last 14 years have been a nightmare. Knowing that Watts has been released has brought all the negative memories back.

“To be honest, it’s really tough. I got to stay strong, I can’t be a victim to this guy, I have to stay strong for Mandy, for my children, for myself.”