For seventeen months he reigned as king of the Maki household. On July 31, 1968 he was forced to share that kingdom with twin siblings Andrew and Amy. The twins arrived seven weeks before expected and came two for the price of one. It did not take Chris long to adjust to his role as big brother… a role he was to cherish all of his life.

Chris attended school in Lunenburg MA and graduated from high school in 1984. He was an excellent student who had a variety of interests ranging from books to sports. He had a particular fondness for cars, especially Volvos. One of his most cherished possessions was a 1966 Volvo station wagon. He spent many hours reconditioning what we fondly nicknamed "The Scourge"

Chris loved the ocean! It was his interest in the ocean and all things connected with it that led him to Roger Williams University. There he studied marine biology and chemistry. He graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in both. It was however in the field of environmental chemistry where he set his mark. He worked at Clean Harbors of Boston and was later transferred to their plant in Chicago. He loved the "windy city" where he was able to further explore his love of sailing and where he was to remain for five years.

In December of 1995, Chris accepted a position for another company, Phillip Environmental in Kansas City, MO. He was in Kansas City for a year and a half before he was transferred to their plant in South Carolina. Chris found an apartment in nearby Charlotte, NC in a suburban neighborhood easily accessible to restaurants, sporting events and high on his list of favorite places, the Charlotte speedway. It was in this quiet community that he was attacked, robbed, stabbed 31 times and left alone to die. He was murdered by three men who needed money to finance their crack habit.

On November 10, 1998 all three were allowed to plead guilty to second degree murder and are now serving sentences ranging from 19 - 34 years in NC prisons. Frank Antrone Davidson, 33, of Charlotte, NC, will serve at least 26 years and 11 months. Frank William Mott, 42, of Hampton, GA, will serve at least 22 years and 2 months. Michael Neal McCall, 19, of Stockbridge, GA, will serve at least 18 years and 5 months. North Carolina does not have parole; however, it is automatic that once their term has been served, they must be released. McCall's sentence is less than the other two due to the fact that he did not have a prior record. So, it's conceivable that he will be out of prison before he reaches his 40th birthday.

In a matter of minutes, the dreams and aspirations of an innocent young life ended. Left behind are his parents, sister, brother, relatives and friends whose lives are forever changed and who like many other survivors have sentences that far exceed those being served by murderers.