'American Murder: The Family Next Door': Release date, plot and all you need to know about Netflix true-crime documentary
If there is one thing Netflix excels at, it is that it brings true-crime documentaries or docuseries at regular intervals, especially during the pandemic era when sources of entertainment are scarce. Netflix's documentaries are often chilling and offer an extensive and deep look at the crime featured.
Lined up among its released for September, Netflix includes 'American Murder: The Family Next Door', a documentary on the Watts family murders. In November 2018, Chris Watts pleaded guilty to the murders of his wife, Shan'ann Watts, their daughters, four-year-old Bella, and three-year-old Celeste, and their unborn child, who had been named Nico and was due to be born in January 2019. Shan'ann's body was found in a shallow grave, and the bodies of Bella and Celeste were found in commercial oil tanks at a company where Chris had worked. Chris was sentenced to five life sentences.
While the motive behind the murders remains unclear, Chris had confessed that he had asked his wife for a separation before her death as he was having an affair. According to CNN, Shan'ann had told her friends, who told the police, before her death that Chris told her he did not want to have the baby that was on its way. While Shan'ann had initially planned a gender reveal party, it was later canceled. When her friend, who was helping her plan the party, asked her if everything was okay, Shan'ann texted her that Chris said the couple was not compatible anymore, according to the police. According to CNN, Nichol Kessinger told the FBI that she had developed an intimate relationship with Chris and was told by him that he had separated from his wife. Kessinger had met him while working for the environmental department of a petroleum contractor and told The Denver Post that she had never met any of his friends or relatives.
Release date
'American Murder: The Family Next Door' will be released on Netflix on Wednesday, September 30.
Plot
The official plot for the documentary states: "In 2018, 34-year-old Shanann Watts and her two young daughters went missing in Frederick, Colorado. As heartbreaking details emerged, their story made headlines worldwide. Told entirely through archival footage that includes social media posts, law enforcement recordings, text messages, and never-before-seen home videos, director Jenny Popplewell pieces together an immersive and truthful examination of a police investigation and a disintegrating marriage. 'American Family: The Murder Next Door' is the first film to give a voice to the victims."
Director
Jenny Popplewell
Jenny Popplewell is a director and producer known for her work in 'Gypsy Kids Our Secret World', 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding', 'Student Sex Workers', 'First Time Call Girl' and 'Bike Gangs: The Hunters & The Hunted'.
Trailer
There is no trailer available for the documentary yet, but watch this space for future updates.
If you like this, you'll love these:
'A Perfect Crime'
'Making A Murderer'
'Chris Watts: Family Man, Family Murder'
'Chris Watts: Criminal Confessions'
'The Dark Untold Life Of Chris Watts'