Ottawa residents are being warned about a dangerous convicted sex offender and killer now living in their community. The Ottawa Police Service has issued a public alert regarding Christopher Watts, a 64-year-old high-risk offender who has taken up residence in the Rideau-Vanier area of the capital city.
Criminal History and Current Threat
The Ottawa Police Service stated unequivocally that Watts presents a significant danger to the community, particularly targeting women and girls under 18 years of age. This warning comes as Watts becomes eligible for statutory release this month, despite his extensive violent criminal history.
Watts was originally convicted in 2003 for manslaughter, sexual interference, and sexual assault in the tragic 2001 death of 13-year-old Amanda Raymond. The young victim died from a drug overdose at Watts' residence on a small private island near Kitchener. Court records reveal disturbing details of the case, including that Watts sexually assaulted the unconscious teenager and participated in defiling her body with marker messages after her death.
Pattern of Violence and Institutional Rejection
Christopher Watts' criminal record spans decades, beginning with a 1989 conviction that resulted in a four-year sentence for hog-tying and gagging another teenage girl during a drug and alcohol-fueled episode. Correctional Service Canada psychologists have diagnosed Watts as a psychopath, while the trial judge in his 2003 case described him as "totally defiant, totally without any sense of guilt, totally without any sense of remorse."
Following his completion of a 12-year sentence in 2015, Watts has proven to be a persistent problem for authorities. He has accumulated multiple parole violations, including two separate incidents involving contact with underage girls. His dangerous profile has made him unwanted across multiple provinces - British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec all refused to accept him in their halfway houses due to safety concerns.
Community Concerns and Public Safety
The decision to place Watts in an Ottawa neighborhood has raised serious questions about public safety protocols. Corrections Canada officials previously acknowledged that Watts "presents a deeply disturbing case profile" and expressed concerns about placing him in any community. Despite these warnings, the 64-year-old offender now resides in the Rideau-Vanier area, prompting police to issue their unusual public warning.
Watts remains under a 10-year Long Term Supervision Order that began in 2015, though his history of breaching conditions has authorities particularly concerned. Ottawa residents, especially parents and guardians of young women, are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to authorities immediately.
