Photo: Shanann Watts/Facebook
The affidavit, which was unsealed on Monday, reveals how authorities were able to apprehendChris Watts, 33, who is accused of murdering his 34-year-old wife,Shanann Watts, their two young daughters, Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3.
He remains in custody without bond and will return to court on Tuesday to be advised of the charges against him. He has not entered a plea and his public defender has not responded to PEOPLE’s multiple requests for comment.
The affidavit from Frederick police describes how officers came to question Chris — and how his story allegedly changed.
At about 1:40 p.m. on Aug. 13, a Frederick police officer responded to a call from Shanann’s friend, Nickole Utoft, asking authorities to check up on Shanann, whom she had dropped off at home at 1:48 a.m. after Shanann’s work trip.
Shanann Watts.Shanann Watts /Facebook
Utoft had grown worried when, knowing Shanann had not felt well during her trip, she failed to respond to calls or texts and missed a doctor’s appointment. She called police when Shanann failed to answer the door even though her car was in the garage, the document states.
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According to the affidavit, Chris told the officer that Shanann had arrived home around 2 a.m. He said when he woke up around 5 a.m., he told her he wanted a marital separation, the affidavit states. Chris added he and Shanann had a “civil conversation” that was nonetheless “emotional,” and said that when he left for work at about 5:27 a.m., Shanann was home.
But when Chris later spoke with a detective, he said he’d told Shanann he wanted to separate at 4 a.m. — seemingly conflicting with his earlier assertion that he broached the separation after waking up at about 5 a.m.
The following day, police learned that Shanann and the girls still had not returned home. They also allegedly learned Chris had been having an affair with a co-worker — something he denied in previous interviews.
In a subsequent interview with police at the police station, Chris asked to speak to his father, who was there with him, the affidavit states.
Shan’ann Watts (center) and her daughters.Shanann Watts /Facebook
Subsequently, he said he flew into a rage and killed Shanann. He allegedly admitted to dumping the bodies of the deceased where they were later found.
Causes of death have not been released for Shanann, Bella or Celeste. But filings from prosecutors and the defense suggest at least some of them were strangled and that a “weapon” — possibly a gun — was involved.
A motive likewise has not been discussed, but friends of the couple have said there was marital tension.
source: people.com
