Chris Watts Case Explored in New Fox Nation Special
A recent Fox Nation special delves into the chilling events surrounding Chris Watts’ plot to murder his pregnant wife and their two young daughters. This production will be available to stream on Fox One starting March 16.
In November 2018, Watts received a life sentence without parole for killing his wife, Shanann, who was 34, and their daughters, Bella, aged 4, and Celeste, aged 3. At the time of the murders, Watts was 33. He pleaded guilty to all charges in a deal that spared him from facing the death penalty, according to the Weld County District Attorney’s Office.
After the crime in August 2018, Watts initially reported to the Frederick, Colorado, Police that his wife and daughters had vanished. He stated, “My children are my life. That smile lights up my life.” Yet, when he returned home, he claimed everything was gone.
Authorities closed the case after a neighbor’s security camera footage captured Watts backing his truck into their driveway on the morning Shanann and the children were reported missing. Notably, the footage did not show them leaving the house. Additionally, investigators traced Watts’ digital movements through cell phone records and GPS data.
On August 21, 2018, authorities recovered Shanann’s body from a shallow grave near an oil tank, while her daughters were discovered submerged in separate crude oil storage tanks at the same location. The girls had been there for several days, as indicated by court documents.
Watts eventually confessed after failing a polygraph test. He led investigators to the Anadarko Oil Company site near Roggen, Colorado, where the bodies were found. Shanann was approximately 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death.
In his confession, Watts described how he strangled Shanann after telling her their marriage was over. He admitted to having an ongoing relationship with a co-worker, but did not reveal this to Shanann before the tragic event took place. Authorities suspect that Watts may have been hoping to start anew with this other woman.
The day of the incident, after strangling Shanann, Bella entered the room carrying a blanket, prompting Shanann to inquire about her daughter’s concerns. Watts claimed he told them their mother was unwell. He recounted wrapping Shanann’s body in bedsheets and dragging it down the stairs as Bella began to cry.
Watts described placing Shanann’s body in his truck, and he mentioned that Celeste woke up shortly afterward. He had the two girls seated in the back of the truck. In a disturbing turn, Watts confessed to suffocating both daughters with Celeste’s blanket, all while Bella watched in horror. He insisted repeatedly that he never intended to kill them.
This case continues to captivate public interest, with its harrowing details and tragic outcome. Watts’ actions raised questions about family dynamics and the extremes of human behavior, leaving many unsettled and seeking answers.
