On August 13, 2018, in Frederick, Colorado, Christopher Lee Watts murdered his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, and their two young daughters: Bella Marie (4) and Celeste (3). He then disposed of their bodies at his oil worksite—burying Shanann in a shallow grave and placing Bella and Celeste in separate oil storage tanks.
Timeline & Discovery
August 13, 2018: Shanann and the children are reported missing after Shanann returns from a business trip. Watts initially publicly pleads for their return.
August 15, 2018: After failing a polygraph test, Watts confesses to the murders, falsely claiming Shanann had harmed the children.
August 16, 2018: The victims’ bodies are recovered at Watts' workplace site.
Modus Operandi & Motive
Method of Killing: Watts strangled Shanann to death and smothered the girls. Bella displayed defensive wounds—she bit her tongue attempting to resist.
Body Disposal: Shanann was buried; Bella and Celeste were placed in oil tanks through small hatches—Bella’s body showed evidence of distress from the process.
Motive: Investigators attribute his actions to a desire for a “fresh start”—to leave his family and begin a relationship with a coworker.
Legal Proceedings & Sentence
Charges: Watts faced multiple counts, including first-degree murder (five counts, one per victim—counting the unborn child), unlawful termination of a pregnancy, and tampering with deceased bodies.
Plea & Sentencing:
On November 6, 2018, he pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty.
On November 19, 2018, he was sentenced to multiple life terms without parole—three consecutive and two concurrent—plus an additional 48 years for terminating the pregnancy and 36 years for tampering with bodies.
Aftermath & Incarceration
Prison Transfer: Due to safety concerns from fellow inmates, Watts was moved to the Dodge Correctional Institution in Wisconsin. He remains isolated and under protective custody.
Civil Actions: A judge ordered Watts to pay $6 million to Shanann's parents—though recovery remains unlikely.
Chris Watts, Mugshot, Weld County District Attorney's Office, Screengrab
Warrantless Arrest Affidavit (pdf)
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