Chris Watts | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : February 09, 2025

Who is Chris Watts?

Chris Watts is an infamous figure primarily known for the tragic murders of his wife, Shan’ann Watts, and their two young daughters, Bella and Celeste, in August 2018. Born on May 16, 1983, in North Carolina, Chris grew up in a seemingly ordinary family. He pursued a career as an operator at Anadarko Petroleum in Colorado, where he eventually met Shan’ann through social media in 2010. The couple married in 2012 and welcomed their daughters into the world, leading what appeared to be a typical suburban life, though cracks in their relationship were becoming increasingly evident as Chris started an affair with Nichol Kessinger.

Chris's life took a shocking turn when, on August 13, 2018, he murdered Shan’ann following a conversation about their troubled marriage. Subsequently, he killed his daughters to conceal his actions. Chris initially portrayed himself as a grieving husband and father, pleading for their return on local news. However, his facade crumbled after failing a polygraph test, leading to his confession and eventual conviction for the horrific crimes. In November 2018, he was sentenced to five life sentences without the possibility of parole. Today, Chris Watts remains a symbol of betrayal and tragedy, with his story serving as a cautionary tale about domestic violence and family breakdown.

Early Life and Education

Chris Watts was born on May 16, 1983, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He grew up in a loving family, the son of Cindy and Ronnie Watts. He attended high school in North Carolina, where he was known for being shy but relatively well-liked among his peers. After graduating, Chris pursued a career in the oil industry, which later brought him to Colorado for work. His early life was marked by a blend of ordinary experiences, including playing sports and building friendships, which formed the foundation for his adult life, although his later actions starkly contrasted his seemingly normal upbringing.

After settling in Colorado, Chris began working for Anadarko Petroleum, a position that allowed him to provide for his growing family. He earned a reputation as a dedicated worker, though he sometimes struggled to balance work and home life. Despite the challenges, Chris managed to navigate his career while maintaining a public image of being an engaged father and husband. His journey through early adulthood showcased his aspirations and the values that shaped him, which would eventually intertwine tragically with the darker aspects of his life.

Meeting Shan’ann and Beginning of Their Family Life

Chris Watts first crossed paths with Shan’ann on social media in 2010 when he sent her a friend request on Facebook, unaware of how drastically their lives would intertwine. Originally hailing from Passaic, New Jersey, Shan’ann had relocated to North Carolina when they met online. Their connection blossomed quickly; as she later fondly recounted, "I was like, ‘What the heck? I’m never going to meet him,’ but one thing led to another." By November 3, 2012, the couple sealed their bond with marriage in Charlotte, North Carolina, embarking on a journey that would lead to the birth of their two daughters.

The Watts family welcomed their first child, Bella, on December 17, 2013, followed by their second daughter, Celeste, in July 2015. As they navigated parenthood, the couple’s life appeared idyllic to outsiders, characterized by Shan’ann's vibrant Facebook posts that celebrated their family adventures. Despite some financial challenges, including filing for bankruptcy in 2015, the couple strived to build a joyful home in Frederick, Colorado. Unfortunately, beneath the facade of a happy family, cracks were beginning to form in Chris and Shan’ann's marriage, setting the stage for a tragic turning point in their lives.

The Tragic Events of August 2018

Chris Watts is a man whose life took a monstrous turn in August 2018, culminating in the tragic deaths of his wife, Shan’ann, and their two young daughters, Bella and Celeste. Born in 1985, Chris worked as an operator at Anadarko Petroleum and seemed to lead a typical suburban life with his family in Frederick, Colorado. However, beneath the façade of a happy family man, Chris was engaged in an extramarital affair with Nichol Kessinger, which contributed to the unraveling of his marriage. The summer of 2018 marked a deceptive period of anticipation and hope, with Shan’ann pregnant with their third child, but tensions were simmering beneath the surface.

The harrowing events began in the early hours of August 13, 2018, when Chris murdered Shan’ann after a confrontation regarding their strained marriage and his infidelity. In a chilling sequence of events, he then took the lives of his two daughters, Bella and Celeste, who were only four and three years old. Following these heinous acts, Chris attempted to cover up his crimes, even publicly pleading for their safe return while knowing their fates. The discovery of the bodies later led to his arrest, subsequent guilty pleas, and life imprisonment without parole in a case that shocked the nation and raised questions about trust, betrayal, and the depths of human darkness.

Consequences: Arrest and Sentencing

Chris Watts is a name that has become synonymous with one of the most shocking family crimes in recent history. On August 13, 2018, Watts, a 33-year-old operator at Anadarko Petroleum, murdered his pregnant wife, Shan’ann, and their two young daughters, Bella and Celeste, in their home in Frederick, Colorado. Following his horrific actions, he attempted to conceal his heinous crime by making a public plea for their safe return. His facade crumbled when he failed a polygraph test and subsequently confessed to the murders, laying the blame for Shan’ann's death on her over the tragic smothering of their daughters.

The consequences of Watts' actions were swift and severe. By August 21, 2018, he was formally charged with three counts of first-degree murder and several other charges related to the brutal killings. In November 2018, he accepted a plea deal, which led to a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Judge Marcelo Kopcow highlighted the case as “perhaps the most inhumane and vicious crime” he had encountered. The sentencing not only underscored the gravity of his crimes but also served as a grim reminder of the tragic loss faced by Shan’ann's family, who later won a civil suit against him, resulting in a $6 million judgment.

Personal Life: Marriage and Children

Chris Watts, born in May 1985, was a seemingly ordinary man living in Frederick, Colorado, who became infamous for the gruesome murders of his wife and children in August 2018. He met his wife, Shan'ann, through a Facebook friend request in 2010, leading to their marriage on November 3, 2012. Together, they welcomed two daughters, Bella and Celeste, and were expecting a son, Nico, at the time of the tragedy. Chris worked as an operator at Anadarko Petroleum, while Shan’ann was involved in direct selling for Le-Vel, and their lives revolved around family and social media, portraying a picture-perfect suburban lifestyle.

However, as the couple faced mounting financial struggles, including a bankruptcy filing in 2015, their marital issues began to surface. Friends of Shan'ann started to notice her concerns about Chris, leading to speculation about the state of their marriage. In June 2018, Chris began a secret affair with Nichol Kessinger, which further strained his relationship with Shan'ann. Despite appearing to be a devoted husband and father on social media, the reality of his situation was drastically different. Tragically, this duality culminated in horrific events that shocked the nation, as Chris ultimately chose to end the lives of his wife and children.

Net Worth and Earning: Financial Issues

Chris Watts, prior to the tragic events of August 2018, worked as an operator for Anadarko Petroleum, earning a substantial income with a reported combined household income of around $90,000. However, this financial stability was a façade, as the Watts family faced severe financial difficulties. In June 2015, they filed for bankruptcy, burdened by overwhelming debt from credit cards, student loans, and medical bills. Their expenses, including a $3,000 mortgage and a $600 car payment, accounted for most of their monthly income, indicating a precarious financial situation masked by their outward appearance of a normal suburban lifestyle.

Despite the pressures of maintaining a façade of success, Chris’s financial issues may have been exacerbated by lavish expenditures on his extramarital affair with Nichol Kessinger, which included dating trips and gifts. His financial problems were compounded by ongoing lawsuits from their homeowners' association for unpaid dues, further demonstrating the family's struggles. After the murders, Chris was denied any profit from the tragedy when Shan’ann’s parents filed a civil suit, resulting in a $6 million judgment against him, which effectively stripped him of any potential financial gains while he serves multiple life sentences.