If you were watching Christopher Watts on Tuesday, what you saw was a man who claimed to have no idea where his missing pregnant wife and daughters were. That same man has now been arrested and faces three first-degree murder charges.
It’s a stunning reversal for Watts, 33, who was just seen on television begging anyone for help in finding his wife. The ABC 7 interview went on for several minutes. Watts looked into the camera and said “Shanann, Bella, Celeste … if you’re out there, just come back.”
“If somebody has her, please bring her. … This house is not complete without anybody here. Please bring them back,” he continued.
ABC 7 reported that Watts confessed to killing is wife and two daughters. Celeste was 3 years old and Bella was 4. His wife was 15 weeks pregnant. Police indicated that Watts would lead them to the bodies.
His wife and kids have been missing since Monday. Watts originally explained that they were just … gone.
“I walked in the house and — nothing,” he said. “She wasn’t here. The kids weren’t here.” Watts’ explanations of what he thought happened were vague.
“She said she was going to a friend’s house with the kids and that’s the last thing I heard, and that was it. It was very vague,” he said. Watts also said “I believe that she is somewhere and I hope that she is safe.”
“I don’t know what to do right now. I just feel so alone in this house right now. I don’t know where to go from here,” he added.
Police reportedly executed a search warrant at Watts’ home. Authorities were observed moving bags of what appeared to be potential evidence.
CNN reported that a friend dropped off Shanann Watts around 2 a.m. on Monday, the day she went missing.
Watts is being held without bond at the Weld County Jail.
Update: Shanann Watts has been found dead on the property of her husband’s workplace. Investigators say they haven’t found the girls’ bodies yet, but believe they know where they are located.
[Image via ABC 7 screengrab]