Found Deceased CO - Shanann Watts (34), Celeste"Cece" (3) and Bella (4), Frederick, 13 Aug 2018 *Arrest* #41

[Thepoet]

@DeeMor The best I can come up with as to why the separate tanks, is some sort of logistical issue (oil levels, sensors).

I suppose it’s possible that he thought that putting the kids in separate tanks would make their discovery less likely.

This would have likely been a mistake, as you basically double the chances of discovery. If you find one body, you find both.

As for his work activity that day, we simply don’t have the specifics there. LE has the answers, we’ll simply have to wait until we have them.

He doesn't seem to have been a good planner to me. I think sensors is a good explanation. I've talked to a friend of mine who does quality control for an oil field service company here in Texas. He told me sensors are used to detect thievery and leakage. I'm now curious if sensors might be mandated by the EPA, I'll have to check that out.

 

[Gardener1850]

I wonder if there was another oil tank location he was supposed to report to that day as well? Would this be the only site he had to maintain? Perhaps another oil tank elsewhere had levels low enough he could open the big manway? But maybe he had to go to this one first and ran out of time due to NAU calling him. Did she mention the missed ultrasound appointment when he said SW went to a play date? As soon as NAU said to him that SW missed a dr's appointment he would have realized he couldn't stall her (if he was smart). Maybe he went right into plan B (dig a grave) instead of going on to the second site. Was there enough time for him to dig the shallow grave between NAU's first call and the second call where she said she was calling the police?

 

[Loveallmyhorsesdogsandcats]

IMO there is a possibility SW's shallow grave was temporary. What the actual plan was, no one knows though.

Agree, on another site an LE surmised she was to go in the tanks too but she was too heavy to carry up the stairs and the shallow grave was plan B. Wouldn’t you think though they CW would know the logistics of if she would fit through the top hatch and how full the tanks were

 

[gitana1]

Good points. I know people I have diagnosed as psycopaths and sociopaths. I have no credentials to do so, but I know I am right,

I do not want to know any FA in real life. No thank you very much. But I would like to see some analysis of their early lives . Hard to do in retrospect though.

It sounds like Scott P has the most indepth study? Do you or anyone have a book to recommend about him?

It seems this type of FA has a lot of similarities whereas to me, Casey Anthony is more of a “one of”.

Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson

 

[flourish]

Semantics.

?
I don't understand... Hard copy versus digital... I'm not sure how that's "semantics?" I've likely missed something, so thank you in advance for any clarification.

 

[rainynights]

There has been a lot of discussion about why separate tanks. Some posters who work in the industry or have family members working in the oil industry have told us these type tanks often have sensors that measure the level and report back to computers at the main offices. Any large change in level will cause the alarm to go off and they would send someone to check the tank. So he may have had to put them in separate tanks to avoid tripping the sensors. I think the general consensus here is that he was only thinking of how not to get caught. He was not at all considering how horrifying most would see it to separate SW from her babies and then further separate and desecrate the bodies of his babies by shoving them in separate crude oil tanks. MOO.

Agreed, I think CW put the girls in separate tanks to avoid getting caught. For all we know, though, maybe a sensor did get tripped that day. With CW being the one to "check" on it. That's something the company would've shared with LE, had it been the case. Maybe that's how they ended up in two different tanks. Jmo

 

[Marli61]

He doesn't seem to have been a good planner to me. I think sensors is a good explanation. I've talked to a friend of mine who does quality control for an oil field service company here in Texas. He told me sensors are used to detect thievery and leakage. I'm now curious if sensors might be mandated by the EPA, I'll have to check that out.

The bodies would have added volume though, not taken it away. My husband has oilfield experience & IHO a tiny body would not have added noticable volume.

 

[Marli61]

I wonder if there was another oil tank location he was supposed to report to that day as well? Would this be the only site he had to maintain? Perhaps another oil tank elsewhere had levels low enough he could open the big manway? But maybe he had to go to this one first and ran out of time due to NAU calling him. Did she mention the missed ultrasound appointment when he said SW went to a play date? As soon as NAU said to him that SW missed a dr's appointment he would have realized he couldn't stall her (if he was smart). Maybe he went right into plan B (dig a grave) instead of going on to the second site. Was there enough time for him to dig the shallow grave between NAU's first call and the second call where she said she was calling the police?

Most likely the Cervi site was not the only site on his route that day.

 

[Thepoet]

The bodies would have added volume though, not taken it away. My husband has oilfield experience & IHO a tiny body would not have added noticable volume.

No, but two might have.

 

[Starkville]

Agreed!.....Has there been any discussion as to why Chris would have chosen seperate tanks for his girls? Why not put them in the ONE tank!? At least they'd be together, albeit lifeless. A rather morbid question, I know. That he would murder them, and stash their bodies is horrific enough, but seperating their little bodies strikes me as callous, beyond understanding.

And was Chris legitimately 'working' at that particular site on that day? Would the company (Anadarko? I forget) have a record of the amount of time spent there? (I had originally thought that he'd 'disposed' of the bodies on his way TO some sort of central office or headquarters.)

JMO that he may have told coworkers on Friday that he’d be at the worksite early that Monday, and he might not have raised any suspicions by being there. It’s possible that this may be evidence of well-in-advance premeditation. MOO

 

[Starkville]

IMO there is a possibility SW's shallow grave was temporary. What the actual plan was, no one knows though.

I share your opinion.

 

[gitana1]

Agreed!.....Has there been any discussion as to why Chris would have chosen seperate tanks for his girls? Why not put them in the ONE tank!? At least they'd be together, albeit lifeless. A rather morbid question, I know. That he would murder them, and stash their bodies is horrific enough, but seperating their little bodies strikes me as callous, beyond understanding.

And was Chris legitimately 'working' at that particular site on that day? Would the company (Anadarko? I forget) have a record of the amount of time spent there? (I had originally thought that he'd 'disposed' of the bodies on his way TO some sort of central office or headquarters.)

There was some discussion as to whether the oil levels would rise too much and set off sensors if both little bodies were placed in the same tank.

But the thing is I've heard so many different theories or answers about the tanks, sensors, openings, that I can't figure out what is accurate.

 

[Mellowmelly]

It wouldn't conceal smell from animals that could potentially dig up the body.

Yes that’s true, I never thought about animals, it just doesn’t make sense that he would dump his little girls in oil tanks where he is known to work, surely he must have known if they were ever found, luckily they were, that he’d be nailed.

 

[Davia18]

JMO that he may have told coworkers on Friday that he’d be at the worksite early that Monday, and he might not have raised any suspicions by being there. It’s possible that this may be evidence of well-in-advance premeditation. MOO

I defiantly think it was a location he was supposed to be at for work otherwise it would have raised a red flag. JMO I'll find it hard to believe if there is zero surveillance. I don't work for a oil company but a natural gas and electric company and all our substations have some type of surveillance. MOO

 

[Tippy Lynn]

I don't see this being preplanned. Too many things don't add up for it to be preplanned keys, purse, sheets, car, phone, doors locked, etc.,
jmo

 

[DeeMor]

The

Re the children as 'being unwanted objects', I remember reading somewhere the Shanann was originally supposed to have had trouble conceiving or maintain any pregnancies, because of her ‘health challenges’ (lupus, I think). Perhaps Chris was of the understanding from the outset of their marriage that there most probably never would be any children. Quite happy about that, never wanted any, anyway. Then, lo and behold, Shanann presents him with two children and yet another pregnancy in 6 short years. Yes, maybe he just never warmed to these children at all, and just played the dutiful husband and father role...with no effort. Maybe yet another pregnancy tipped him over the edge. Did we ever see Chris say with his own lips that he was absolutely delighted about this pregnancy? And really wanted a boy? Or was it all via Shananns proclamations? Maybe he just simply didn't want this family orientated lifestyle any more. Over it. Sort of sociopathic, innit!

This has all probably been previously discussed ad nauseum, but I haven't come across any posts in my trawlings of WS, so please forgive. I'm a newcomer!

 

[Gardener1850]

Yes that’s true, I never thought about animals, it just doesn’t make sense that he would dump his little girls in oil tanks where he is known to work, surely he must have known if they were ever found, luckily they were, that he’d be nailed.

He may have thought he could control the sites and prevent their discovery in the future. He would know where they were and if there was ever a discovery he would hear about it before the news or possibly even before LE was called, giving him a chance to go on the run. But I think he was so egotistical he thought his plan was brilliant and they would never be discovered. He thought he could fool everyone. He failed big time and was trapped when the police discovered the bedsheet while he was at the police station. MOO.

 

[PommyMommy]

Which begs the question- just how long had they been dead if the smell of decomposition was already present?

I'm holding out hope that the autopsy reports provide us with some clues.

IMO there is a possibility SW's shallow grave was temporary. What the actual plan was, no one knows though.

O/T
Happy Birthday, Ms. Marli61!

Link to graphic:Free stock photo of bake, baked, blur
I've been a little distracted today tracking friends in the path of the hurricane and apologize for the late replies.
MOO

 

[Best of What's Around]

Yes, I wonder if SW will have any broken nails? I agree any lack of wounds on either of them will not support his story. Of course we do not know what details he gave LE after speaking with his dad, he may have described a brawl.

IF he was thinking smartly (big if), he will have come up with a scenario to fit what he already knows will be SW's injuries, assuming he noticed them, another big IF. Then again, he might not have thought this through before his confession so the defense might have to deal with any discrepancies from the autopsy and his story. If there are, he was likely "confused" and in "shock" or whatever is my guess when he again changes his story to fit the facts, if need be. IMO

 

[MassGuy]

I don't see this being preplanned. Too many things don't add up for it to be preplanned keys, purse, sheets, car, phone, doors locked, etc.,
jmo

Those loose ends don’t prove or disprove planning here.

Because of NUA, was have no idea what this scene would have looked like, had he the benefit of more time.