The co-worker with whom Colorado triple murder suspectChris Wattswas allegedly “actively involved in an affair” at the timehis wife and daughters were killedhas been opening up to police, PEOPLE confirms.
A source close to the case confirmed to HLN’sCrime & Justice with Ashleigh Banfieldon Tuesday that the co-worker — a woman — has met with investigators at least once and “answered all their questions.”
PEOPLE confirmed that report with a separate source.
“She is cooperating,” the second source says, adding that the co-worker is not suspected of any criminal wrongdoing.
The alleged extramarital relationship was first revealed in an arrest affidavit released after Watts, 33, was accused ofkilling his 15-weeks-pregnant spouse, Shanann Watts, and their two childrenin their Frederick home.
At the request of Chris’ attorney, several lines in the affidavit paragraph about the affair were redacted, though it is unclear why. The co-worker has not been publicly identified.
Chrisfaces first-degree murder charges, among other crimes, in the killings of Shanann, 34, and their kids, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste.
He had initially denied the work affair to police, his arrest affidavit alleges. But authorities said they carried out a two-day investigationand confirmed the cheating.
Shanann, Bella and Celeste were reported missing on Aug. 13. Chris was arrested late on Aug. 15 and, on Aug. 16, authorities announced the bodies of his wife and childrenhad been recovered on propertybelonging to his former employer Anadarko Petroleum.
Shan’ann Watts (right) and her daughters.Shanann Watts /Facebook
Chris Watts.Joshua Polson/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Chris’ marital impropriety was one of several blockbusters allegations in his arrest affidavit.
The affidavit also states that Chris claimed he killed Shanann in a “rage” after he told her that he wanted to separate and then witnessed her strangling daughter Celeste.
However, a source close to the investigation previously told PEOPLE, “The theory that she [Shanann] did it doesn’t hold any water. There is absolutely no evidence that she killed her children.”
Chris’ co-worker is not his only alleged lover whom authorities have interviewed: Last week, an unnamed man came forward and spoke to HLN’s Ashleigh Banfield about a 10-month relationship he claimed to have with Chris before they split in the spring.
Chris is being held without bond in the Weld County Jail. He has not yet entered a plea.
His lawyer did not respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment but,according to a statementfrom the state’s public defender’s office, their attorneys are barred from discussing ongoing criminal cases.
source: people.com
