The Chris Watts incident is one that has horrified and revolted many in equal measure. The media in America went into a frenzy, and it is understandable why, when they were faced with the brutal murder of Shanann, Chris’ pregnant wife, along with their two daughters, Celeste and Bella, in August 2018. And as the case developed, people raised moral questions about how it was possible for a parent to betray their children in such a manner, as well as how children should be raised. This paper focuses on the motives and the events that led up to that fateful day of August 13 in the life of Chris Watts.
Background: Who Was Chris Watts?
To people who knew him, Chris Watts was just your regular guy comfortably living in Frederick, Colorado with his lovely wife Shanann and their daughters. Chris worked as an operator for Anadarko Petroleum, while Shanann was an up and coming businesswoman, with a respectable presence on social media, who presented a loving family.
The murders happened while Shanann was pregnant with their son, whom they wanted to name Nico. When one looked at their life as a whole, it was a different story. To the average person it would seem that everything was alright in the household, and that Chris had it all, but the reality was far different. The reality was that there were aspects that were wrong in their marriage which were beginning to show, as well as Chris’s concealed existence.
The Murders: What Happened?
On August 13, 2018, Shanann arrived back to her home after a business trip in the early morning hours. Less than a day later, she was killed by her husband Chris Watts, who had strangled her. He also used the same method to his four-year old and three-year old daughters, Bella and Celeste, respectively, in the same house.
After carrying out these acts, Chris moved all three of their bodies to an offshore oil industry that he worked for. Shanann was put to rest in a gravesite, which was constructed in a manner that allowed her to be covered with minimal soil. On the other hand, his daughters were thrown away in oil containers.
Why Did Chris Watts Kill His Family?
The reasons behind Chris Watts’ actions seem to be intricate in terms of their definition. Investigators and experts cite the following points as the explanation behind the perpetrator’s actions:
1. Infidelity
Chris Watts allegedly was having an extra marital affair with Nichol Kessinger, a coworker, and Kessinger claims that Chris used to say that he was a man in the process of getting a divorce which apparently made him even more interested in her to start a new family.
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Chris, it is believed by the investigators, did not see his wife and children as anything other than barriers to the life he wanted to lead with Kessinger, and with Shanann finding out about the affair, it may have made him think about eliminating his family.
2. Financial Strain
The Watts family was struggling financially, such as accumulating debt and filing for bankruptcy previously in the past. Shanann also posted on social media showing that she comes from a wealthy family type, but it was more complicated than that. The burden of fostering an image and supporting an expanding family may have been too much for Chris to bear.
3. Control and Power
A possible projection of Chris Watts’ previous actions is the psychological need for control. It has been said that Shanann possessed great strength of character and was rather aggressive in comparison to Chris who was more naive and passive. Some experts argue that the killing was a way for Chris to react to what he perceived as losing control over his life and relationships.
4. Narcissism and Sociopathy
It has been suggested by certain psychologists that traits such as egoism and sociopathy can be seen in Chris Watts. He lacks empathy, seems to yearn constant validation, and uses manipulation as a tool to seek his own ends. These traits are possibly the reasons as to how to saw him committing such violent acts without displaying any signs of guilt.
5. A Desire for a Fresh Start
Chris’s romance with Kessinger appears to have marked his birth into a new dimension of existence, liberated from the constraints of being a married man and a father. This seemingly `new beginning’ philosophy perhaps was one of the motives that made him murder his family, thinking that it would wipe out his past.
Chris Watts’ Confession
In the beginning, Chris Watts insisted that he did not know where his family was, and even came on the television asking for their return. But soon his narrative started falling apart in front of the police investigators.
It started off with him being asked quite a straightforward question and slowly revealing more details the more he spoke. During his investigations, he was strapped to a polygraph test. Chris later made a confession of sorts, claiming that he killed Shanann after she had allegedly strangled the children – a version that was proven false later on.
Chris stated in a second confession that he stabbed along with his wife while trying to cover up the brutal murders of their children, and he claimed it to be merciless. This rather sick and twisted admission explains how cold and calculating he can be.
The Role of Social Media
Shanann Watts was rather active on social media and would often upload pictures and write about her battles and accomplishments stemming from her family life. Most of the posts represented her husband as a caring father which made the incident even more disturbing. Social media also enhanced the publicity of the case as Shanann’s videos and her posts were extensively shared and discussed.
Social media may have enhanced the pressure for a perfect image, which some critics feel worsened the issues within Watts’ marriage. But this explanation does not fully excuse the behavior of Chris.
Public Reaction and Media Frenzy
The murder of the Watts family stood apart from this other brutal crimes as it received such coverage in public as few other cases before it. The crime scene, Chris’s actions and family relationships were studied and dissected by true crime fans, professionals, and the general public.
The death of Shan’ann Watts and her family was again in the spotlight after the docu-series American Murder: The Family Next Door. The documentary, for instance, enabled those on the outside to witness activities of the Watts family through the lens of Shanann’s social media, text messages and police footage.
Impact on True Crime Culture
The Watts case has rather engendered debates with regard to how true crime shows impact society. Even though some people claim that such stories raise awareness about domestic abuse and issues concerning mental health, there are others who argue that such stories tend to glorify tragedy.
Legal Outcome
To escape execution, Chris Watts chose to confess his guilt regarding the murders. It was on 19th of November, 2018 that the trial court sentenced him to a total of five life terms in prison without the possibility of parole. He is now incarcerated within a high security facility.
Lessons from the Tragedy
The killings of Shanann, Bella, Celeste, and Nico Watts highlight the need to identify red flags in relationships, take care of mental issues and allow open discussions in families.
how did chris watts kill his daughters
Chris Watts killed his daughters, Bella (4) and Celeste (3), on August 13, 2018, after murdering his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts. According to Watts’ confession and evidence gathered during the investigation:
Sequence of Events:
After strangling Shanann at their home, Chris loaded her body into the back of his work truck.
Bella and Celeste were alive at the time and were placed in the truck along with their mother’s body.
He drove them to an oil field owned by his employer, Anadarko Petroleum.
Method Used:
At the oil site, Chris smothered Celeste first with a blanket while Bella watched.
Bella reportedly pleaded for her life, saying, “Daddy, no!” before she, too, was smothered using the same blanket.
Disposal of Bodies:
Celeste and Bella’s bodies were placed in separate oil tanks.
Shanann was buried in a shallow grave near the tanks.
The details of the killings emerged during Chris Watts’ police confession, follow-up interviews, and the forensic investigation. Watts initially lied about his role in the deaths, claiming that Shanann had killed the girls and he had killed her in retaliation. However, his story unraveled, leading to a full confession.
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Conclusion
The family massacre carried out by Chris Watts, remains surrounded by mystery and critiques. While infidelity, financial issues, and several psychological issues may have existed, all of these barely suffice as a justification for a horrendous crime. This incident in the life of the Watts family is still relevant as it highlights how struggles in the family can be inaptly silenced and the effects of sweeping issues under the rug with time lead to unimaginable consequences for members of the same family.
