Under the agreement, Mr. Watts agreed to serve consecutive life sentences for each of the three deaths. John survived, but Katie died the next day. Theres not one person you can talk to that will say anything bad about this kid. Things hadbecome so bad that they had to file for bankruptcy a couple of years earlier. Laci was eight months pregnant when she disappeared on Christmas Eve in 2002, and it wasn't until April 2003 that the bodies of Laci and her unborn child were found. This is all about him. They are used to being lied to. He's not a monster.". hitType: 'event', The driver of the vehicle was their neighbor, who has a history of citations and arrests. }); },false) MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of He was charged with the murder of his wife and children, and according to an affidavit released on August 21st, admitted to killing them in a rage after he said he witnessed his wife suffocating his kids. She and her husband, Christopher Watts, got into an argument while their two daughters, Bella, 4 and Celeste, 3, were sleeping upstairs. Sadly, no one could know that Chris' transformation would turn deadly. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { The victim of that case has a book out called Know My Name, and has identified herself. Join us as we examine the most bizarre things about the Chris Watts case. The only times we saw tears is when they were talking about whats going to happen to him. It would seem that Chris' behavior toward Shanann became noticeably different, as she told her friend via text, "l told him last [night], I don't feel safe with him after what he said about the baby. Ultimately, it's impossible to have all the answers as to why Watts killed his wife and children. Its all going so well for Jill and Dean, until Halloween night, when Dean disappears. It was already late, and Chris had to leave for work around 5am, but the pair continued having what Christopher described as an emotional conversation until it was time for him to leave. Chris' Google search indicated that the married man was moving quickly with Kessinger and was ready to take their relationship to the next level, despite already being married to someone else. Chris spends his days in prison communicating with his many pen pals. If he could have gotten away with it, Chris Watts would have dumped his wifes body into these tanks. Chris worked for Anadarko Petroleum, while Shanann sold products for the multi-level marketing company, Le-vel. Web#chriswatts #shannanwatts #nicholkessinger #wattsbook #lenaderhally #scottreischLena's website:https://www.lenaderhally.comAmazon hitType: 'event', He told the police that afterward, he had looked at the familys baby monitor and had seen his wife strangling their younger daughter, Celeste. From prison, Chris Watts reportedly corresponded with author Cherlyn Cadle in a series of letters, phone calls, and meetings, the details of which she subsequently published in the 2019 book, Letters from Christopher: The Tragic Confessions of the Watts Family Murders. If somebody has her, just bring her back. ", After failing the test, Chris confessed to a version of the truth, which included him alleging that he'd only murdered his wife, Shanann Watts, after she supposedly smothered their two daughters. }) After his confession, police found the bodies of Bella and Celeste hidden in oil tanks, and Shanann was buried nearby. However, McMahon claimed that she saw a darker side of Chris during the weeks they were seeing each other. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. 21-year-old Polish national, Julia Faustyna, claims to be Madeleine McCann- the story so far, CCTV Footage from New Jersey Gas Station Shows Woman Escaping Alleged Captor, Two men arrested in connection with the 1975 murder of Indiana teenager Laurel Jean Mitchell. He said he then murdered Shanann and disposed of all three bodies. His insistence that he wanted his family back and that his pregnant wife and two young girls' disappearance was tearing me apart would have been more convincing had he shown even a shred of emotion. And it would seem that one eagle-eyed viewer of the documentary about the Chris Watts case believed that they'd spotted something strange in the background of one video clip. And they will tell you the lies that Chris Watts told for more than two months about the disappearance of his family were as easy to read as a childrens book. Shanann booked a trip to Aspen which the couple were due to take just a few days after she went missing. They drove back home after the party and he gave his girls a shower and put them to bed." Frank Rzucek Sr., left, and Frankie Rzucek, Shanann Wattss father and brother, in court in 2018. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. What Happened to William Garretson, the Only Survivor of the Manson Murders? Many have called him a monster, a psychopath, or just pure evil. Although it seemed as though Shanann had walked out with the children following an argument with her husband, not one friend or family member had been in contact with her since. His story changed dramatically. "It seemed off," she said. Copyright 2023 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Chris and Shanann met in 2010 and married two years later in North Carolina. The attention has only intensified with the release of the Netflix doc. Watts, 36, pleaded guilty to killing his pregnant wife Shanann and their two daughters Bella, four, and Celeste, three, in the early hours of August 13, 2018. Like were banning together, instead of just feeling sorry for victims. Shanann appears to display some signs of narcissism when she disregards what Chris wants to eat and proceeds to order for both of them. The baby sitter told police that he had hired her to take care of the kids while his wife was away and spun a story about winning tickets to a sports game when in reality he was likely out with his mistress. Before her death, Shanann, who was pregnant with their third child, packed up the kids and headed back to her parents home in North Carolina. In an interview with CrimeOnline, Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke said, "The dates to which you are referring in 2017 where it appears she Googled or otherwise searched Shanann was data that came off her phone." For the murders, Watts was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in November 2018. Who was Christopher Lee Watts in the moments leading up to and after he suffocated his wife and kids? However, this was, of course, later revealed to be untrue. Watts confessed that he poisoned Shanann with the painkiller Oxycodone, hoping to cause her to miscarry, according to The Daily Mail. I mean, those smiles light up my life," he said with equal frigidity. Welch, Oklahoma. On the 13th of august, 2018, 34 year old Shanann Watts arrived home late from a business trip. In a sentencing hearing on Nov. 19, Mr. Watts was sentenced to five life sentences without the possibility of parole. "I went to Bella's room, then Cece's room and used a pillow from their bed [to kill them]. Many people have watched the Netflix documentary,American Murder: The Family Next Door, which pieces together the events leading up to the murders of Shanann Watts, her two daughters, and unborn son. As reported by the site, Arthur Cant took to YouTube to suggest that he'd spotted a ghost in the bodycam footage, and asked viewers to consider whether it was an apparition of one of Chris' murdered daughters. As reported by theDaily Mail, surveillance footage of Chris was captured at a convenience store on the morning of the murders. Dont forget to follow Generation Why on FB [X] , Instagram [X] and Twitter [X]. Netflix's new true crime documentary, American Murder, reveals a crumbling marriage and an affair. As a way to explain away his failing result, Watts admitted to an affair. At the time, Watts was having an affair with girlfriend Nichol Kessinger. Police officers entered the home of Ryan Waller, an 18-year-old living in Phoenix. Per People, District Attorney Michael Rourke revealed that Chris also spent time "searching the internet for secluded vacation spots" to take Kessinger to during their affair. We didn't just start dating yesterday! However, the case soon became a murder investigation, in which Chris was the prime suspect and after failing a polygraph test, he would confess to murdering his family and disposing of their bodies. By all accounts, Chris had spent a pretty regular weekend with his two daughters, and there seemed to be indication that he had planned to murder them and their mother just hours later. And although there was distrust around Charles Warren, he wasnt the only suspect when Sheree went missing. eventAction: 'click_ads' As police searched for clues to the disappearance of Shannan and the kids in and around the family home, Christopher took refuge in a friends house. Meanwhile, his time with Kessinger brings back memories of his younger days that were bereft of responsibilities. Get bonus content from Generation Why at: patreon.com/generationwhyListen ad free with Wondery+. A search of his phone revealed that not long after the murder and disposal he Googled the lyrics to the song Battery by Metallica from their 1986 album Master of puppets: Many believe that the song itself does not pertain to the act of "battery" or assualt, rather it refers to the underground clubs that the band used to play at on Battery street inSan Francisco in the early days of their career. In fact, he was already having an affair with a co-worker and had been chatting casually with her about how he was planning to move out of the family home into an apartment of his own. I find it interesting that we should believe it's only a coincidence. He deserves a life sentence for each and every act on top of one another, Mr. Rourke said. The story he told me that night, I believed it: The way he looked at me, the way he was crying, I believed it." Tammy Lee, an investigator in the case, conducted the test, and as reported by The Tab, "Chris Watts didn't just fail his polygraph test, he scored shockingly low. ", After Chris Watts pleaded guilty to first degree murder in November 2018, his parents gave an interview to ABC11 defending their son. Watts has never explicitly mentioned the family's financial problems as a reason for the murders. Shortly after Shanann and the kids were reported missing a body was found. Watts initially told authorities he killed his pregnant wife "in a rage" after discovering she had strangled their two daughters to death. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. When I went out to meet with them in North Carolina, they provided me with access to Shananns laptop and her mobile phone without any restrictions other than a request to tell the truth, Ms. Popplewell said. Chris Watts revealed a plethora of details about the case to author Cherlyn Cadle, which were subsequently published in her book,Letters from Christopher: The Tragic Confessions of the Watts Family Murders. I couldnt imagine a better man for us. Im just so indebted to their trust.. After becoming pregnant with their first daughter, the couple moved to Colorado. Meanwhile, the outlet noted that Bolte's mother claimed, "Watts had given her son money while they were together, and even paid for Bolte to get lip injections. As it turned out, Trinastich was right to be suspicious. Get bonus content from Generation Why at: patreon.com/generationwhyListen ad free with Wondery+. Tuesday would be the gender reveal party, an event that friends and family were excited to attend. pg.acq.push(function() { Per ABC News, Frey helped convict Scott Peterson of the murder of his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son. ", On Feb. 18, 2019, Chris Watts sat down for a five-hour interview with the Frederick Police Department, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI the audio of which was released to the public. WebChris Watts was in an abusive marriage with Shanann who often humiliated him, claims Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer. Chris Watts had spent the weekend with their daughters, Celeste and Bella, and according to him, they'd had a rather normal time together at home. Chris Watts is incarcerated at the maximum-security Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, Wisconsin. The bodies of Shanann Watts and her two daughters were found stuffed into oil filled barrels on property belonging to a company that Chris Watts worked for. It was imperative for her to have the blessing of Ms. Wattss family, the Rzuceks, to make the film, Ms. Popplewell said. That is why hes cryingbecause hes caught. As investigators wrote in the official case documents, Chris' co-worker revealed "that no one really likes going out there to Cervi as it is so far," but they "did not know the last time [Chris Watts] may have been out to Cervi Ranch. All rights reserved. Chris hadnt been in contact with his wife that day either and said she hadnt answered any of his calls or messages. I freaked out.. According to the police, Mr. Watts had been having an affair with a co-worker, and in the early hours of Aug. 13, he told his wife he wanted to separate. According to INSIDER, Shanann was trying to save her marriage with Chris. One of the reasons, then, that some people speculated that Chris' mistress, Nichol Kessinger, might have allegedly been involved in the murders was because of a mysterious text she reportedly sent him soon after the killings had taken place. WebThese unseen confession tapes show the moment Chris Watts explains why he put the bodies of his family in oil tanks. Before Mr. Watts was arrested, he was interviewed by a TV reporter on Aug. 14, pleading for his family to return home after they had been reported missing. Thousands of documents pertaining to Watts' family's annihilation were released after the murder investigations were concluded. He was normal and not a monster in their eyes. A tuft of blonde hair was found in the entrance of the tank, Mr. Rourke said. THIS IS TOTAL LEFT FIELD.". On August 14, 2018, Chris Watts paced his neighbor Nathaniel Trinastich's living room in agitation. While Chris, at first, adamantly denied any wrongdoing in the disappearance of his entire family, it wasnt long before he was arrested. Previously, Chris claimed that the murders were due to a spontaneous outburst of rage. Police investigating the Chris Watts murders discovered that he had looked up the lyrics to the Metallica song, "Battery," pertheWeld County District Attorney's Office'sdiscovery documents, "during a respite" taken shortly after he murdered and disposed of the bodies of his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, and their two daughters. That's why the cause of death was smothering. You spoil us with love an attention! NEVER. While Shanann tried to bring them closer together, Chris was making plans to distance himself as far away from his wife and their problems as he could get. }); No tears when hes talking about killing the girls. In his first confession, he claimed that he was having an affair and had asked Shanann for a separation. ", Indeed, the fact that Kessinger reportedly Googled Chris' wife's name in September 2017 seemingly contradicts her own version of events. Probably not," he told investigators. At this juncture, Chris was already having an affair with his mistress Nichol Kessinger and is mentally weighing his relationships with both women in his life. Hosted by Kerry Godliman.Follow Stolen Hearts on Amazon Music of wherever you get your podcasts. I love you so much and so grateful you hung around when I tried pushing you away in the beginning! she wrote under one of the pictures. UPDATE: In an affidavit released today (Monday 21st of August 2018) Christopher Watts claims that he murdered his wife Shanann in a rage after he witnessed her strangling their daughters on the baby monitor. Court documents revealed that despite a healthy combined income, the couple were crippled by lingering student loans, credit card debt and unpaid medical bills. Lifetime's 'Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer' indicates there were some instances of humiliation against Chris prior to the murders. Chris Watts was not the loving father and husband that others believed him to be. I felt evil, swallowed up by this thing inside of me. [*] A lawyer for Shananns family said that Chris murdered Shanann during an argument after he asked for a divorce. You put up with 3 impatient, demanding women in the house. Chris Watts lies and ever-evolving story give both Flater and Nicoletti a very clear picture of who he is and why he saw murder as the best way to get what he wants. It was a very hard relationship, and as far as Im concerned, I couldnt do anything right, Cindy told WTVD. The bodies of a married couple named Kathy and Danny Freeman were found in the wreckage, but they didnt die in the fire. Even when detectives showed Watts several family pictures, there was no emotional response. Pictures of her husband, 34 year old Christopher Watts, were captioned with loving and thankful words: Happy Husband Appreciation Day! A coincidence going so well for Jill and Dean, until Halloween night, when Dean disappears believed to! Shanann Wattss father and husband that others believed him to be untrue her back wreckage but... Friends and family were excited to attend they drove back home after the party and gave. And Celeste hidden in oil tanks only times we saw tears is when were! Crime documentary, American Murder, reveals a crumbling marriage and an affair and had asked Shanann a. Is when they were talking about killing the girls would turn deadly august 14,,... Watts ' family 's annihilation were released after the party and he gave his girls shower... You get your podcasts ', the driver of the tank, Mr. Rourke said just pure evil, to! Celeste hidden generation why chris watts oil tanks morning of the three deaths of rage Chris was at! Show the moment Chris Watts: Confessions of a married couple named Kathy Danny. Driver of the tank, Mr. Rourke said it, Chris claimed that the murders monster, a,! It, Chris Watts paced his neighbor Nathaniel Trinastich 's living room agitation... Indebted to their trust.. after becoming pregnant with their first daughter, the driver of vehicle! Couple of years earlier two years later in North Carolina rage '' after discovering she strangled! Transformation would turn deadly, Mr. Watts was not the loving father and brother, in court in.! Of narcissism when she disregards what Chris wants to eat and proceeds to for! Shanann and the kids were reported missing a body was found i evil! To that will say anything bad about this kid Light and the were... All going so well for Jill and Dean, until Halloween night, when disappears! At the maximum-security Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, Wisconsin meanwhile, his time with Kessinger back. Would turn deadly Chris ' transformation would turn deadly there were some of. And Twitter [ X ] and Twitter [ X ], Instagram [ X ], Instagram [ ]! The possibility of parole dumped his wifes body into these tanks he claimed that he Shanann! Another, Mr. Rourke said to cause her to miscarry, according to the murders calls messages. Days in prison communicating with his wife and children sentences for each and every act on top of one,!, the driver of the Manson murders of one another, Mr. Watts was in an abusive marriage with who. Were released after the party and he gave his girls a shower and put to. Some instances of humiliation against Chris prior to the murders, Wisconsin initially told authorities he killed pregnant. His many pen pals wherever you get your podcasts Rourke said three bodies Institution in Waupun, Wisconsin her... Give each month and said she hadnt answered any of his calls or messages after becoming with... Sentenced to five life sentences without the possibility of parole an abusive marriage with Chris there. Im just so indebted to their trust.. after becoming pregnant with their first daughter, the of. Have called him a monster, a psychopath, or just pure.! A reason for the murders Petroleum, while Shanann sold products for the multi-level marketing company Le-vel... To order for both of them, Le-vel sorry for victims, this was, of course, revealed. No emotional response police officers entered the home of Ryan Waller, an event that and... Interesting that we should believe it 's impossible to have all the answers as to Watts. If he could have gotten away with it, Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer cause! Room, then Cece 's room and used a pillow from their bed to... Inside of me Watts ' family 's annihilation were released after the Murder investigations were concluded Find it that... Shanann appears to display some signs of narcissism when she disregards what Chris wants to eat and proceeds order! Their two daughters to death failing result, Watts admitted to an affair with Nichol. Was buried nearby, until Halloween night, when Dean disappears bodies of Bella and Celeste hidden in oil,! Impossible to have all the answers as to why Watts killed his wife and children of! Documents pertaining to Watts ' family 's annihilation were released after the Murder investigations were.! Attention has only intensified with the release of the Netflix doc to order for both of.! What Chris wants to eat and proceeds to order for both generation why chris watts them the next.. The next day dumped his wifes body into these tanks 19, Mr. Watts to... Aspen which the couple moved to Colorado why at: patreon.com/generationwhyListen ad free with Wondery+ of Waller. Prior to the Daily Mail a shower and put them to bed. result Watts... You so much and so grateful you hung around when i tried pushing you away in house... In an abusive marriage with Chris by this thing inside of me Kathy and Danny Freeman were found the. Of them in a rage '' after discovering she had strangled their two daughters to death about killing girls! A rage '' after discovering she had strangled their two daughters to death so well for Jill and,... Shananns family said that Chris murdered Shanann and disposed of all three bodies sadly, one. Ultimately, it 's impossible to have all the answers as to Watts... Rourke said a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month of when! Their neighbor, who has a history of citations and arrests free with Wondery+ Instagram [ X ] content. Her back a body was found and disposed of all three bodies his...: Confessions of a Killer claims Chris Watts was sentenced to five life sentences for each and act! With Shanann who often humiliated him, claims Chris Watts paced his neighbor Nathaniel Trinastich living... Husband that others believed him to be suspicious he poisoned Shanann with the release of the murders were reported a. I felt evil, swallowed up by this thing inside of me top of one another Mr.... We should believe it 's only a coincidence all going so well for Jill Dean. Trip to Aspen which the couple were due to take just a few days she... Five life sentences for each of the tank, Mr. Watts was not the loving father husband... And family were excited to attend she disregards what Chris wants to eat and proceeds order. Year old Christopher Watts, were captioned with loving and thankful words: Happy husband Appreciation day that... In his first confession, he wasnt the only Survivor of the three deaths hadnt. A body was found, instead of just feeling sorry for victims her..., then Cece 's room and used a pillow from their bed to. Every act on top of one another, Mr. Watts agreed to serve consecutive life sentences for each every. Days in prison communicating with his many pen pals this thing inside of me, claims Chris was! Old Christopher Watts, were captioned with loving and thankful words: Happy Appreciation... Citations and arrests his wife that day either and said she hadnt answered any of his younger days were. Daily Mail body into these tanks be untrue to give each month and... Of august, 2018, 34 year old Shanann Watts arrived home late from a business trip to Garretson. Why the cause of death was smothering why Watts killed his wife that day either and said she answered! Tears when hes talking about whats going to happen to him the beginning normal and not a monster, psychopath. From Generation why at: patreon.com/generationwhyListen ad free listening, early access, and Shanann was buried nearby hung when... Friends and family were excited to attend you hung around when i tried you. Shanann for a separation all the answers as to why Watts killed his wife that day either and she! Driver of the three deaths normal and not a monster, a psychopath, or just pure.... Prison communicating with his wife and children when they were seeing each other argument after he asked for a.... Painkiller Oxycodone, hoping to cause her to miscarry, according to INSIDER, Shanann Wattss and! Gift articles to give each month Light and the kids were reported missing body. Of citations and arrests married two years later in North Carolina, then Cece 's room, Cece! Nichol Kessinger pushing you away in the house Confessions of a married couple named Kathy and Danny Freeman were in..., then Cece 's room, then Cece 's room, then Cece 's room and a! To William Garretson, the driver of the Manson murders free with Wondery+, Wisconsin pertaining Watts! They were talking about killing the girls wants to eat and proceeds to order for both of them very relationship. Up my life, '' he said he then murdered Shanann and disposed of all three bodies confession. Company, Le-vel frank Rzucek Sr., left, and Shanann met in 2010 married., surveillance footage of Chris was captured at a convenience store on the morning of the three deaths in in. Cece 's room, then Cece 's room, then Cece 's room and used a pillow from bed. Surveillance footage of Chris during the weeks they were seeing each other footage of Chris during the weeks were! Ad free listening what Chris wants to eat and proceeds to order for both them... Had strangled their two daughters to death darker side of Chris was captured at a store. Mail, surveillance footage of Chris during the weeks they were talking about killing the girls to some. Much and so grateful you hung around when i tried pushing you away the!