It was supposed to be a new beginning. A growing family, a thriving career, and a seemingly loving marriage—Shanann Watts appeared to have it all. From the outside looking in, her life seemed picture-perfect. But behind closed doors, a dark secret was festering, one that would lead to one of the most shocking and heartbreaking crimes in recent history.
A Life Full of Promise
Shanann Cathryn Watts was a devoted mother, a hardworking businesswoman, and a woman who believed in love. She had met her husband, Chris Watts, in 2010, and by all accounts, their love story seemed like a fairytale. They married in 2012 and soon welcomed two beautiful daughters, Bella and Celeste.
Shanann was ambitious, working as a successful independent sales representative for a health and wellness company called Thrive. Her social media was filled with uplifting messages, snapshots of family life, and declarations of love for her husband. To those who followed her, she was the epitome of positivity.
She shared everything with her friends and followers—her struggles with lupus, her difficult pregnancies, and the joy of being a mother. But behind the perfectly curated Facebook posts, trouble was brewing.
The Cracks Begin to Show
By the summer of 2018, Shanann was pregnant with their third child, a baby boy they planned to name Nico. She was overjoyed at expanding their family, but Chris had become distant. Friends and family noticed a dramatic shift in his behavior—he seemed detached, less affectionate, and glued to his phone. Shanann confided in her friends that Chris was not as engaged as he used to be.
What she didn’t know was that Chris was having an affair with a coworker, Nichol Kessinger. Their relationship had escalated quickly. Chris was spending time with her, going on romantic getaways, and even telling Nichol that he was in the process of separating from his wife.
Shanann, sensing that something was wrong, tried everything to reconnect with her husband. She planned a family trip to North Carolina, hoping that time away with their daughters would rekindle their bond. Instead, Chris continued to withdraw. Text messages later revealed that Shanann was deeply worried about their marriage. She even wrote to a friend, saying, "He’s changed. I don’t know who he is anymore."
As the days passed, Shanann grew increasingly suspicious. She confronted Chris, asking if he was still in love with her. His responses were cold and unconvincing. But despite her gut feeling that something was wrong, she never could have imagined what he was planning.
The Night of August 13, 2018
On August 13, 2018, Shanann returned home from a business trip to Arizona. Security footage from a friend’s doorbell camera showed her arriving home at approximately 1:48 AM. It would be the last time she was seen alive.
According to Chris’s later confession, Shanann confronted him about their marriage that night. She had suspected he was having an affair and wanted the truth. Chris admitted to cheating but claimed he wanted to make their marriage work. However, in his mind, he had already made his choice. Divorce wasn’t an option—he wanted a clean slate, and for him, that meant eliminating his family.
In a chilling act of betrayal, Chris strangled his pregnant wife in their bed. Shanann fought back, but she was no match for him. Once she was dead, he wrapped her body in a sheet and carried her downstairs.
But the nightmare was far from over.
Their daughters, Bella (4) and Celeste (3), had woken up and witnessed some of the horrors unfolding before them. Chris later admitted that Bella had asked, "What’s wrong with Mommy?" But he offered no explanation.
A Father’s Ultimate Betrayal
Instead of stopping after murdering his wife, Chris continued his monstrous plan. He loaded Shanann’s lifeless body into his work truck, then placed his two daughters in the back seat alongside her. He drove them 45 minutes to a remote oil field where he worked.
Once there, he smothered Celeste first, covering her mouth and nose with a blanket. Bella, old enough to understand what was happening, pleaded for her life.
"Daddy, no!" she cried out, her last words before he ended her life the same way.
Chris then stuffed their small bodies into separate oil tanks—each opening only 8 inches wide—before burying Shanann in a shallow grave nearby.
The Investigation Unfolds
The next morning, Shanann’s friend and colleague, Nickole Atkinson, became concerned when Shanann missed a doctor’s appointment and wasn’t answering calls. Nickole contacted the police, and a welfare check was conducted at the Watts home. Chris played the part of the worried husband, claiming he had no idea where Shanann and the girls were.
His behavior, however, raised immediate suspicions. He seemed emotionless, too composed for a man whose pregnant wife and daughters were missing. During media interviews, his words felt rehearsed, and his lack of genuine concern alarmed viewers.
Police quickly honed in on him. A neighbor’s security footage showed Chris backing his truck into the garage in the early hours of August 13th—something he had never done before. When confronted with this evidence, Chris’s story began to crumble.
He initially claimed that Shanann had strangled their daughters, and he killed her in a rage. But when he failed a polygraph test and faced mounting evidence, he finally confessed to the unthinkable truth.
Justice for Shanann, Bella, Celeste, and Baby Nico
Chris Watts was arrested and charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder. He later pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty.
On November 19, 2018, he was sentenced to five life sentences without the possibility of parole. He is now serving his time in a maximum-security prison, where he reportedly spends his days in isolation.
A Case That Still Haunts Us
The Watts family murders continue to haunt and captivate the public. Perhaps it’s because the betrayal was so personal—murder at the hands of a man who was supposed to love and protect his family. Or maybe it’s because of how eerily normal their life seemed, right up until the moment Chris made his horrifying decision.
This case reminds us that appearances can be deceiving. No matter how perfect a life looks on the outside, darkness can lurk beneath the surface.
Final Thoughts
Shanann, Bella, Celeste, and baby Nico deserved so much more. Their story is one of love, deception, and ultimate betrayal. Their names should never be forgotten.
Thank you for reading Echoes of The Unsolved. If you want to stay updated on more true crime stories and ongoing investigations, be sure to subscribe to my blog. I'd also love to hear your thoughts on Shanann's case—feel free to share your opinions or any insights in the comments below. Until next time, stay safe.
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