Chris Watts may have murdered daughters BEFORE wife Shanann came home from business trip, say detectives
Investigators said on August 21 morning during Chris Watts' second court appearance this week, that he may have killed his two daughters, Bella (4) and Celeste (3) before his pregnant wife, Shanann, returned from a business trip. Watts was charged with nine felony counts after the three bodies were discovered in an oil field last week close to the family home in Frederick, Colorado. This happened only days after one of Shanann's friend's reported that she was missing. A judge read out the charges against Watts during the arraignment on August 21. Based on the charges, it is believed that Watts killed his children first before killing his wife who was 15-weeks pregnant at the time.
According to court documents, Shanann had been murdered on August 13 which was the same day that she got back home from a work trip to Arizona. The charges that were read out on August 21 allege that Watts had killed their daughters "between and including August 12 and August 13". The documents state facts that totally contradict what Watts had told investigators before, reported the Daily Mail.
Watts had told the investigators earlier that he had gone into a "rage" and strangled his pregnant wife to death after he saw her strangling the children on the baby monitor. He said that he had seen Bella "sprawled" on her bed and "blue" and that Shanann had been "actively strangling" his other daughter Celeste.
The court did not believe a single word of what the father told them and subsequently charged him with nine felony counts that include three counts of first-degree murder, two of murdering children in his trust, one of terminating a pregnancy and three of tampering with bodies. Watts did not have to enter a plea during his most recent appearance in court and is likely to face capital punishment if he is found guilty of the charges.
One day before he was arrested, Watts famously went on camera for news stations and begged for the safe return of his pregnant wife and children. He said in one interview: "I just want people to know that I want my family back. I want them safe and I want them here." When he appeared in court on August 21, Watts did not make eye contact with Frank Rzucek, Shanann's father, who could be seen weeping silently as the judge read out all the charges.
32-year-old Frankie, Shanann's brother, was seen putting a supportive hand on his father's back as his dad leaned forward in the seat and cried. After the 18-minute hearing was over in Greeley, Colorado, 55-year-old Rzucek stared at Watts as he was taken out of the courtroom by prison officers. Watts did not make eye contact even for a moment with his father-in-law.
As Judge Kopcow read out the charges to him in court, Watts could only be heard barely uttering a "Yes, sir" in response to each of the charges. He is scheduled to appear in court again on November 19. The judge told Watts that if he is found guilty of the charges, there is a very high possibility that he could face the death penalty. In any case, Watts is going to remain in prison for the rest of his life regardless of the capital punishment. The Weld County District Attorney, Michael Rourke, has nine weeks to decide whether a death penalty against Watts should be sought out.
Watts is currently being held at the Weld County Jail located on the outskirts of Greeley and, according to Fox News, is being kept in protective custody away from the other prisoners. Rzucek thanked all the people who were involved in arresting his murderous son-in-law in an emotional speech on August 20.
He said: "I'd like to thank everyone in the Frederick Police Department and all the agencies involved for working so hard to find my daughter, granddaughters and Nico. I'd like to thank everyone for coming to the candlelight vigil and saying all your prayers. They are gratefully appreciated — and keep the prayers coming for our family."