Mother of teen who died at Puslinch Lake party breaks silence after offender’s latest escape

CTV’s Krista Simpson speaks to Amanda Raymond’s mother about the rearrest of Christopher Watts, the man responsible for her daughter’s death.

Warning: this story contains some disturbing details as presented in court.

The mother of a teen who died after a party on Puslinch Lake 25 years ago is calling for changes to the justice system that allowed the man responsible for her daughter’s death to be released despite repeatedly breaching his conditions.

Teresa Trupp spoke with CTV News the day after Halton Police announced they had arrested Christopher Watts in southwestern Ontario following his escape from a Montreal halfway house where he was ordered to live.

“This is so unfair to Amanda, my daughter. She was a child and her life was cut short because of him,” Trupp said.

Amanda Raymond died in July 2001 after attending a party held by Watts on Puslinch Lake. Court heard Watts gave Raymond drugs that put her into a coma. He then refused to let anyone call for help, sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious, wrote obscene words on her body, and took photos and video.

In 2003, Watts was convicted of manslaughter, sexual assault and sexual interference. He completed a 12-year prison sentence in 2015.

He is a registered sex offender and remains under a long-term supervision order (LTSO) that imposes numerous restrictions on him. The order is scheduled to remain in place until June 2029. He has been arrested on multiple occasions and convicted of breaching his orders three times.

Trupp said it is difficult for her family every time they receive an update regarding Watts and his breaches.

“I just don’t know what to say anymore, but it’s causing such anguish at this point. Again, again and again and again and again.”

In the most recent incident, Watts was released from custody on May 28. He reported to a halfway house in Montreal, but later fled. A Canada-wide warrant was issued for his arrest on June 4.

On June 9, Halton Police located a vehicle registered to Watts at LaSalle Park in Burlington. Investigators said Watts was placed under surveillance and arrested later that evening in Hamilton.

“He needs to be shut down. He needs to be punished at this point because he was too close to home, too close for comfort. And it’s scary and it’s a little intimidating,” Trupp said.

Halton Police are still working to determine Watts’s movements during the five days between his escape and his arrest. Investigators have released a photo of Watts and his vehicle in hopes that members of the public can provide information.

A recent Parole Board of Canada decision notes that a judge once described Watts as a “career criminal and a cunning and voracious sexual predator, who appeared defiant and without guilt or remorse.”

“We don’t want to be his victim anymore. But each time he pops up, you feel like a victim,” Trupp said.

The latest incident occurred just as the family was preparing to mark 25 years since Raymond’s death.

Trupp said it is time to reform the system that continues to allow Watts back into the community.

“Amanda’s gone. You took my child. And this is what we have had to deal with for 25 years now. How are we supposed to move forward if the system won’t give us that opportunity?” Trupp said.

Trupp said she would like to see Watts face a 10-year sentence for repeatedly violating his court orders. She said it would not only provide security for the family, but would also allow her daughter to finally have peace.

“How do you rest knowing that the man that hurt you is just out there getting away with stuff?”