The Chris Watts case is a chilling example of domestic tragedy that gripped the nation and left many grappling with a single, haunting question: Why Did Chris Watts Kill His Family? On August 13, 2018, the unthinkable happened in Frederick, Colorado, when Christopher Watts murdered his pregnant wife, Shanann, and their two young daughters, Bella (4) and Celeste (3). While evidence and court proceedings have shed light on the events leading up to the murders, the complete picture of Watts’ motive remains elusive, shrouded in speculation and the disturbing actions of a man who appeared to lead a double life. This article delves into the known details of the case, exploring the potential motives and evidence revealed in court that attempts to answer the agonizing question: why did Chris Watts commit such a heinous act?
The Days Leading Up to the Tragedy: A Marriage in Crisis and a Secret Affair
In the weeks and days preceding the murders, Shanann Watts was actively trying to salvage her marriage. Text messages revealed in court painted a picture of a wife desperately seeking to reconnect with her husband. She sent Chris self-help books and information about marriage counseling, attempts that seemed to fall on deaf ears. One of these books was even found discarded in the trash, a stark symbol of Chris’s rejection of her efforts.
Shanann Watts arriving home in the early hours of August 13, 2018, captured by a doorbell camera, marking her last moments before the tragic events unfolded.
Unbeknownst to Shanann, Chris Watts was deeply involved in an affair with a coworker. District Attorney Michael Rourke highlighted this affair as a significant potential motive during the sentencing hearing. While Shanann poured her energy into saving their marriage, Watts was texting his girlfriend at all hours, searching online for secluded vacation destinations to enjoy with her, and even shopping for jewelry, seemingly for this new relationship. He spent time with his girlfriend, including trips to sand dunes and car museums, while Shanann was away in North Carolina, further emphasizing his detachment and focus on a future that excluded his family.
The Timeline of Terror: August 13, 2018
The morning of August 13th began with Shanann’s arrival home from a business trip at approximately 1:45 a.m., captured by a neighbor’s doorbell camera. This footage marks the last known time Shanann was seen alive. Later, around 5 a.m., another neighbor’s doorbell camera recorded Chris Watts backing his truck into the driveway and making multiple trips between the house and the truck. Prosecutors believe this is when Watts was loading the bodies of his wife and daughters into his work truck, although the camera did not provide a direct visual confirmation of this.
Surveillance footage captured Chris Watts’ truck movements on the morning of August 13, 2018, believed to be when he loaded the bodies of his family into the vehicle.
The exact sequence of events inside the Watts’ home between 1:45 a.m. and 5 a.m. remains unclear. Despite thorough investigation, the precise details of the murders are not fully known, partly due to the way Watts disposed of the bodies. However, the evidence strongly suggests that within this timeframe, Chris Watts murdered Shanann and their two daughters.
Evidence and Inconsistencies: Unraveling Watts’ Lies
From the outset, Chris Watts became a prime suspect. His initial statements to investigators were quickly contradicted by evidence. He claimed his family was asleep when he left for work, but investigators found no signs of them leaving the house or anyone else entering.
Further solidifying suspicions, Watts made a series of phone calls on the morning of the murders that painted a disturbing picture. He called his daughters’ school to unenroll them, contacted a realtor to discuss selling the house, and reached out to his girlfriend to talk about their future. These actions, taken so soon after the murders, revealed a chilling level of premeditation and a callous disregard for his family.
Watts’ behavior at work that day was also unsettling. He volunteered to go to the oil field early that morning, a seemingly normal action that became incriminating in retrospect. Coworkers reported that he acted normally throughout the day, even as his daughters’ bodies were submerged in oil and water tanks nearby.
GPS data from Watts’ work truck proved crucial in locating the bodies. It led investigators to the oil field where Shanann was buried in a shallow grave and Bella and Celeste were found inside oil tanks.
Autopsy Revelations: Bella Fought for Her Life
Autopsy reports further undermined Watts’ initial claims and provided grim details of the murders. Watts initially suggested that he strangled Shanann in a fit of rage, but the autopsy revealed a slower, more deliberate killing. District Attorney Rourke stated that strangulation takes two to four minutes, indicating a calculated act rather than a spontaneous outburst. Shanann’s body lacked defensive wounds, except for minor bruising on her neck, suggesting she may have been taken by surprise or was unable to defend herself effectively.
Bella and Celeste Watts, the innocent victims of a horrific crime, whose final moments were filled with terror.
The autopsy findings for Bella and Celeste were even more heartbreaking. Watts initially claimed to have strangled them, but it was determined they were suffocated. Bella, in particular, showed signs of a struggle, with cuts inside her mouth and evidence that she bit her tongue multiple times, indicating she fought desperately for her life. Celeste, tragically, had no defensive wounds.
The manner in which Watts disposed of his daughters’ bodies was particularly gruesome. He shoved them through narrow, 8-inch openings into separate oil tanks. Bella sustained scratches on her body from this brutal act, and tufts of her blond hair were found on one of the tank hatches.
Potential Motives: A New Life and Financial Pressures?
While a definitive answer to “why did Chris Watts kill his family?” may never be fully known, the evidence points to a combination of factors. The affair was undoubtedly a catalyst. Watts desired a “new life” with his girlfriend, free from the responsibilities of his existing family. District Attorney Rourke explicitly stated this desire as a potential motive.
Financial pressures may have also played a role. While not explicitly detailed in this article, other reports on the Chris Watts case have mentioned the family’s financial difficulties. A desire to escape these pressures, coupled with the allure of a new relationship, could have contributed to Watts’ desperation and his decision to commit the murders.
However, these potential motives do not fully explain the sheer brutality and cold-blooded nature of the crime. The decision to murder not only his wife but also his innocent young daughters remains incomprehensible to many.
Sentencing and Lingering Questions
Judge Marcelo Kopcow described Watts’ crimes as “the most inhumane and vicious” he had ever encountered, sentencing him to the maximum penalty: multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole. Despite calls from both the prosecution and his own parents for a full confession to provide closure, Chris Watts has remained largely silent about his precise motives.
Chris Watts being sentenced for the murders of his wife and children, facing the consequences of his unfathomable actions.
The question “why did Chris Watts kill his family?” continues to linger. While the affair and desire for a new life offer a glimpse into potential motivations, they fail to fully explain the depth of the tragedy. The Chris Watts case remains a stark and disturbing reminder of the darkness that can reside within seemingly ordinary individuals and the devastating consequences of their actions.
