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What Did Chris Watts Do Before He Killed His Family

Written By quarta-feira, 2 de março de 2022 Add Comment Edit

2018 murders in Colorado

Not to be confused with the fictional Watts family from the British soap opera EastEnders.

Watts family murders
Location Frederick, Colorado, U.S.
Engagement August 13, 2018; 3 years ago  (2018-08-13)

Attack type

 Familicide, uxoricide, filicide, child murder
Deaths 4 (including an unborn child)
Perpetrator Christopher Lee Watts
Motive Infidelity
Verdict Pleaded guilty
Convictions
  • First-caste murder (x3)
  • Murder of a child 12 years or younger (x2)
  • Unlawful termination of a pregnancy
  • Tampering with a deceased human body (x3)
Sentence Five life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus 84 years

Christopher Watts
Chris Watts mugshot.jpeg
Born

Christopher Lee Watts


(1985-05-xvi) May 16, 1985 (historic period 36)

Spring Lake, North Carolina, U.S.
Status Incarcerated at Dodge Correctional Institution
Spouse(southward)

Shanann Rzucek

​

​

(m. ; died )​
Details
Victims Shanann (wife), Bella Marie (daughter), Celeste "CeCe" (girl), Nico (unborn son)

Engagement apprehended

 August 15, 2018

The Watts family murders occurred in Frederick, Colorado, Us, during the early morning time hours of August 13, 2018. Christopher Lee Watts (born May 16, 1985)[1] admitted to murdering his significant married woman Shanann Cathryn Watts (née Rzucek; born January 10, 1984) by strangulation. He later admitted to murdering their daughters, four-year-erstwhile Bella and three-year-old Celeste, by smothering them with a blanket over their heads. On November vi, 2018, Watts pleaded guilty to multiple counts of beginning-degree murder as office of a plea deal when the decease penalisation (which was afterward abolished in Colorado in 2020) was removed from sentencing. He was sentenced to five life sentences without the possibility of parole, three to be served consecutively.

Background [edit]

Christopher Watts and Shanann Rzucek were from North Carolina: Christopher from Spring Lake and Shanann from Aberdeen. They met in 2010 and were married in Mecklenburg County on Nov 3, 2012, according to online records.[2] The couple had 2 daughters: Bella Marie Watts (born December 17, 2013) and Celeste Cathryn "CeCe" Watts (born July 17, 2015). At the fourth dimension of her death, Shanann was fifteen weeks pregnant with a son who was to be named Nico.[3]

The Watts family lived in a 5-chamber dwelling in Frederick, Colorado, which they purchased in 2013,[4] and declared bankruptcy in 2015.[5] Christopher was employed by Anadarko Petroleum, while Shanann worked from home selling a product called Thrive for the multi-level marketing company Le-Vel.[v] [6]

Disappearance [edit]

At approximately one:48 am on August 13, 2018, Shanann, returning from a business trip to Arizona, was driven dwelling house by her friend and colleague Nickole Utoft Atkinson. Christopher was dwelling house with their daughters.[7] Later that 24-hour interval, Shanann and the girls were reported missing by Nickole Atkinson, who became concerned when Shanann missed a scheduled obstetrics and gynecology date and failed to render her text messages. After Shanann missed a business organisation meeting, Atkinson went to the Watts residence at about 12:10 pm.[viii] [9] When the doorbell and knocks went unanswered, Atkinson notified Christopher, who was at work, and called the Frederick Constabulary Department.

A Frederick police officeholder arrived to conduct a welfare check at nearly 1:40 pm.[ten] During the welfare check, Christopher gave the police officeholder permission to search the business firm,[eleven] where the family dog was discovered unharmed, but no sign of Shanann or the girls was found.[12] Searchers discovered Shanann'south purse containing her telephone and keys.[11] Her car, which still contained the girls' car seats, was in the garage.[13] Shanann's wedding ring was constitute on the bedside table. [11]

The FBI and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) joined the investigation the adjacent day. Christopher initially told police that he had no thought where his family might be and that he had not seen his wife since 5:15 am the previous day, when he left for work.[fourteen] He gave interviews to Denver stations KMGH-TV and KUSA-Tv set exterior the house, pleading for the render of his wife and daughters. Investigators with search dogs could be heard on the property during the interview.[15] [xvi]

Legal proceedings [edit]

Arrest and charges [edit]

Christopher was arrested on Baronial 15, 2018. According to the arrest affidavit and footage from a security camera in the interview room, he failed a polygraph test and subsequently confessed to murdering Shanann. He asked to speak to his father before confessing. According to the affidavit, Christopher was having an affair and claimed he asked for a separation from Shanann. During the investigation, he claimed Shanann had strangled the girls in response to his request for separation and that he had then strangled her in a fit of rage and transported the bodies to a remote oil-storage site leased by his employer, Anadarko Petroleum.[17]

Christopher was fired by the visitor on August 15, the day of his arrest. The authorities located the bodies of the Watts family on the Anadarko Petroleum site on August 16. The girls' bodies were found in crude oil storage tanks, while Shanann was cached in a shallow grave nearby.[18]

On August 21, Christopher was charged with iv counts of first-degree murder, including an additional 1 count per child cited as "death of a child who had not yet attained 12 years of age and the accused was in a position of trust", unlawful termination of a pregnancy, and three counts of tampering with a deceased man body.[19] He was denied bail at his first courtroom advent. At a subsequently hearing, his bail was set at $5 million, with him being required to put down xv% to be released.

The case has been continued in the media to the crime of family annihilation (familicide).[20] Many of these crimes occur in August, earlier school starts, which may filibuster detection and investigation.[twenty] According to old FBI profiler Candice DeLong, cases such every bit the Watts' are rare because "family annihilators commonly commit suicide after the murders",[21] an activity that Christopher claimed to take contemplated out of guilt for his deportment.[22]

In an interview on Dr. Phil, Christopher's lawyer claimed that he confessed to killing Shanann after an argument regarding divorce. During the murder, Bella walked in on the couple. Christopher and then told her that Shanann was sick. He loaded Shanann'south body and the girls, without their auto seats, into the back seat of his work truck. He afterward smothered the girls, one afterward the other, with a coating there.[23]

Plea deal and sentencing [edit]

Christopher pleaded guilty to the murders on November 6. The decease penalty was non put forward by the district attorney on the request of Shanann'due south family unit, who did non wish for any further deaths. They were supportive of his determination to have the plea deal. On November 19, he was sentenced to five life sentences—3 consecutive and 2 concurrent—without the possibility of parole. He received an additional 48 years for the unlawful termination of Shanann'due south pregnancy and 36 years for 3 charges of tampering with a deceased body. His sentence began immediately.[24] [25]

On Dec three, 2018, Christopher was moved to an out-of-state location due to "security concerns".[26] On December 5, he arrived at Dodge Correctional Institution, a maximum-security prison in Waupun, Wisconsin, to go on serving his life sentences.[27] [28]

Media accounts [edit]

On a December 2018 episode of the ABC News series 20/20, Shanann's parents were interviewed for the showtime time since the murders.[29] [thirty] HLN aired a special report that same month titled Family unit Massacre: Chris Watts Exposed, in which footage of Christopher from police body cameras and security cameras in the constabulary station'south interview room were revealed. In a recorded interview released by the CBI with Christopher'due south mistress, Nichol Kessinger, she revealed his behavioral changes in the days prior to the murders.[31] [32]

On a December 2018 episode of the American talk show Dr. Phil, Phil McGraw consulted with four crime experts: one-time prosecutor and TV announcer Nancy Grace, erstwhile FBI profiler Candice DeLong, police enforcement consultant Steve Kardian, and body language skilful Susan Constantine. The experts analyzed the motivation, underground life, and profiling of Christopher.[33] On a January 2019 episode of the talk show The Dr. Oz Prove, commentary is provided on his case by the neighbor who helped build the instance against him, who is interviewed in-studio.[34]

In June 2021, Inside Edition reported further confessions from Chris Watts to a pen pal. In multiple letters, Watts explained that he had planned the murder for several weeks and that the oxycontin establish in Shanann'due south arrangement was given to her by him, hoping to stop her pregnancy. He "thought it would exist easier to be with Nichol if Shanann wasn't pregnant." He besides offered new details virtually the murder of his daughters: he tried to smother them in their beds at home, only failed. [35]

Adaptations [edit]

On January 26, 2020, Lifetime released a film chosen Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer equally part of its "Ripped from the Headlines" feature motion picture series. It stars Sean Kleier as Christopher and Ashley Williams as Shanann.[36] Shanann'due south family spoke out confronting the film, stating that they had non been consulted about it and were not aware of its making until information technology was already in production. They have also said they are not making any money from it and fearfulness that it will just increment the harassment online that they had already been receiving.[xiv]

On September 30, 2020, Netflix released American Murder: The Family Next Door, a documentary about the murders.[three] The documentary features archival footage including home videos, social media posts, text messages, and constabulary enforcement recordings.[37]

Run across also [edit]

  • Law-breaking in Colorado
  • Familicide

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Chris Watts has 'no hope for his time to come' after killing wife, kids". New Zealand Herald. May 14, 2020. Archived from the original on Oct 18, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  2. ^ "Chris Watts: 5 Fast Facts You Demand to Know". Heavy. August 16, 2018. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved June i, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "American Murder: The Family unit Side by side Door | Netflix Official Site". world wide web.netflix.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  4. ^ Swanson, Sady (Baronial 23, 2018). "Christopher Watts and Shanann Watts: Their friends saw a 'perfect' family. What happened?". Fort Collins Coloradoan. USA Today Network. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved Feb 2, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Colorado family unit struggled with finances before man allegedly killed pregnant wife, kids". CBS News. August 17, 2018. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  6. ^ Foody, Kathleen; Drew, Jonathan (August 17, 2018). "Colorado homo arrested as chase for family unit leads to body of pregnant wife, possible remains of immature daughters". National Post. Frederick, Colorado: Postmedia Network Inc. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved February two, 2019.
  7. ^ Helling, Steve (September 18, 2018). "Mom & Kids Vanish, Husband Pleads for Help – Then iii Bodies Turn Upward: How Watts Murder Case Unfolded". People. Archived from the original on August 17, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  8. ^ Oberholzer, Annelene (Baronial 17, 2018). "Man arrested for killing his significant married woman and daughters, days after pleading for their return". Cape Town: News24. Archived from the original on August 17, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  9. ^ McDonell-Parry, Amelia (August 21, 2018). "Colorado Man Claims He Killed Pregnant Wife After She Strangled Their Daughters". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 17, 2019. Retrieved February ii, 2019.
  10. ^ "Chris Watts case: Everything to know so far about the alleged murders of his married woman, daughters". Atlanta: WGCL-Tv set. August 17, 2018. Archived from the original on August 17, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  11. ^ a b c MacBeth, Carmen (August 27, 2020). "Chris Watts update: Is he "haunted" past the murder of his family?". Film Daily. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  12. ^ Agee, Chris (August seven, 2018). "Neighbor says Chris Watts "cared more than about the dog" than significant wife and 2 toddlers he allegedly killed". Crime Online. Archived from the original on August 19, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  13. ^ Bonvillian, Crystal (August 23, 2018). "Shanann Watts' girls may have been expressionless when she got dwelling house, hubby'south charges show". KIRO-TV. Seattle, WA. Archived from the original on August 22, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Shanann Watts' family denounces upcoming Lifetime motion picture nigh daughter'south murder". ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. Durham North Carolina: WTVD. January 16, 2020. Archived from the original on January sixteen, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  15. ^ Depression, Rob (August 17, 2018). "The smell of death: Police force dogs and the Chris Watts investigation". Denver, Colorado: KDVR. Archived from the original on August 17, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  16. ^ Miller, Blair (August 21, 2018). "Chris Watts murder case: Everything we know so far about the deaths of his married woman, daughters". Frederick, Colorado: KMGH-TV. Archived from the original on August 22, 2018. Retrieved Baronial 25, 2018.
  17. ^ "Chris Watts: Married woman killed our girls, so I strangled her". Houston, Texas: KTRK-Goggle box. August 20, 2018. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved Feb 2, 2019.
  18. ^ Swanson, Sady; Coltrain, Nick. "Christopher Watts will serve 3 life sentences for murdering married woman Shanann, 2 daughters". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Fort Collins, Colorado. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  19. ^ Park, Madison (August 20, 2018). "Chris Watts case: What nosotros learned from unsealed affidavit". CNN. Atlanta, Georgia: Turner Dissemination Corporation. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved Baronial 25, 2018.
  20. ^ a b Shapiro, Emily (Baronial 21, 2018). "When people kill close relatives: Explaining 'family annihilators'". ABC News. New York Metropolis: American Broadcasting Company. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  21. ^ "'Chris Watts Is What We Telephone call A Family Annihilator,' Says Erstwhile FBI Criminal Profiles". Dr. Phil. Archived from the original on April ix, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  22. ^ Harfenist, Ethan (March 8, 2019). "Chris Watts Says He Contemplated Suicide Later on Murdering His Wife And 2 Daughters". Oxygen. Archived from the original on April 9, 2020. Retrieved Apr two, 2019.
  23. ^ "Dr. Phil exclusive: Chris Watts' confession and his girl'due south final words". WRAL. March five, 2019. Archived from the original on March 5, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  24. ^ Shush, Minyvonne (November xix, 2018). "Christopher Watts sentenced to life in prison house without parole for killing his pregnant wife and young daughters". NBC News. Archived from the original on November 7, 2019. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  25. ^ McLaughlin, Eliott C.; Murray, Kelly. "Chris Watts sentenced to life for 'inhumane' killings of 2 daughters and pregnant wife". CNN. Atlanta, Georgia: Turner Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  26. ^ Hatziefstathiou, Nik (Dec 14, 2018). "Killer Chris Watts Moved To Unknown Prison Due To 'Safety Concerns'". RadarOnline. Archived from the original on May xx, 2019. Retrieved February ii, 2019.
  27. ^ Hatziefstathiou, Nik (December 5, 2018). "Final Rotting Identify: Chris Watts Arrives At Wisconsin Prison To Serve Life Judgement". RadarOnline. Archived from the original on January 25, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  28. ^ Anderson, Hannah (Dec 14, 2018). "NBC15 Investigates: Inmate transfer process, Chris Watts confirmed in WI". WMTV. Madison, Wisconsin: Gray Tv. Archived from the original on April half-dozen, 2019. Retrieved Feb ii, 2019.
  29. ^ Carlson, Adam (December seven, 2018). "Chris Watts' In-Laws Didn't Want Him to Go on Television set When Family Vanished – only They 'Give thanks God He Did'". People. Meredith Corporation. Archived from the original on May xiv, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  30. ^ Collman, Ashley (December vii, 2018). "'He didn't requite a flight flip': Shannon Watts' mother speaks well-nigh how emotionless her girl's married man was when she was first reported missing". Insider. Insider Inc. Archived from the original on Apr 21, 2019. Retrieved February ii, 2019.
  31. ^ Peltz, Kyle (December 13, 2018). "Chris Watts appears nervous in hours after murder, new video shows". Shreveport, Louisiana: KTBS-TV. Archived from the original on Dec fourteen, 2019. Retrieved Feb 2, 2019.
  32. ^ "New evidence released in Chris Watts case". WKTV News. December 14, 2018. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved February two, 2019.
  33. ^ "Dr. Phil | TV Guide". TV Guide. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  34. ^ "Dr. Oz to feature episode on Chris Watts case Tuesday afternoon on KOAA 5". Pueblo, Colorado: KOAA-TV. January 15, 2019. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  35. ^ "Archived copy". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-06-26. Retrieved 2021-06-26 . {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  36. ^ Pederson, Erik (November xix, 2019). "More than 'Ripped From The Headlines' With Nia Vardalos, Lyndsy Fonseca, Kirstie Aisle, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Jenn Lyon". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  37. ^ "American Murder The Family Next Door Trailer Released By Netflix: Describes The Story Of The 2018'due south Watts Family Murders". Moviespie. September 18, 2020. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2020.

Further reading [edit]

Media
  • Chris Watts & Shanann Watts murder case – KUSA 9News Denver at YouTube
    • "DA describes how Chris Watts "coldly and deliberately ended four lives"". KUSA 9NEWS Denver/YouTube. November nineteen, 2018. – Testimony from the district chaser of Weld Canton
    • "Estimate officially sentences Chris Watts to life in prison". KUSA 9News Denver. November 19, 2018.
  • "Investigators Discuss Chris Watts' Case | Criminal Confessions Highlights". Oxygen. December 11, 2019.
  • "How Chris Watts' Investigators Got a Confession Out of Him | Criminal Confessions Bonus Videos". Oxygen. December 9, 2019.
  • "What happened the morn pregnant mom, two daughters went missing (Nightline)". ABC News. December xi, 2018.
  • Responding officer's torso photographic camera of the entire investigation, with an explanation of torso linguistic communication read past the officer. YouTube. December 15, 2018.

External links [edit]

  • The People of the State of Colorado v. Christopher Lee Watts. Documents from Baronial xvi, 2018, to November 27, 2018. Colorado Judicial Branch.
  • Printing Release: Christopher Lee Watts. Frederick Police Department. Baronial twenty, 2018. Archived September 25, 2018.

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_family_murders

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