Found Deceased CO - Shanann Watts (34), Celeste"Cece" (3) and Bella (4), Frederick, 13 Aug 2018 *CW GUILTY* #46

[Mellowmelly]

Tomas Hoppough said CW had no emotion as he walked in and sat down, but as soon as the judge started talking about his plea agreement, that's when he broke down and started crying. He continued to cry in between pleading guilty to all nine counts.

Tears for himself only.

 

[pocketaccent]

I believe the autopsies will explain why he confessed to everything to avoid a trial. MOO

I agree. Something unexplainable and indefensible evidence that he killed them all with premeditation must be in the autopcy report. I wouldn't be surprised to discover different manner of death for each or some type of mutilation inflicted on the bodies.

Boy, I can't wait till the report is unsealed. Hopefully before Thanksgiving?

Maybe we can learn about why the gas cans too, if that was used in any way during 'burial'.

 

[whisperOFwings]

I've not long seen the news of CW's total admission of guilt in the murders of his family. Just wanted to add my thanks to Nickole Atkinson for her very important actions, to Colorado303 for being here and all the other posters who steadfastly stood up for sanity in this case again and again.

Very glad that CW has at last retracted his despicable lies against Shannan. I hope that the people who believed them will take a little bit of time to think about why they chose to believe him. I do however respect the views of some posters here who wanted to wait for the trial and all the evidence, although for me there was already more than enough. We know what happens in family annihilator cases largely and the sort of lies they tell and excuses they make.

Although I think the details of the murders and the events leading up to them will be very hard to stomach, I think there is a public interest in examining these cases and the psychology of the murderers. I was surprised by how little really scientific research exists on them. I watched the Luis Toledo and Adam Matos trials trying to understand what process they underwent to commit such horrendous violence. Of course many FAs commit suicide at the time of the annihilation and so cannot be studied and of course the surviving ones are likely to lie. But I think it's really important to try and get a better understanding of what is going on in the weeks/months before these tragic events and Shannan's comments about CW being more distant and withdrawn I think are very significant observations.
With those FAs who also kill themselves I think there may well be an undiagnosed depressive psychosis in some cases. We still need to encourage men who may be experiencing isolation/rejection/financial stress/family breakdown to seek help which often they don't. I don't think CW falls into this category, he simply wanted ""freedom".

I personally doubt therefore that CW will commit suicide, I think he falls into the group of murderers whose minds have an amazing degree of self-serving plasticity. I think, regretfully he will still, even after his admissions, have his supporters and that will keep him going. That's another reason why I hope the details of exactly when and what he did emerge. We have to confront what is happening here if we have any hope of preventing future tragedies.

Just also want to reiterate here Colorado303's point about the best way we can remember Shannan and her babies is to be a friend to those people we know who may be in bad situations. We gain knowledge by following cases and we may see the risks quicker and more clearly than others. And we can support the charities that provide the support for victims of violence within the home, they save lives.

Excellent post, all of it! I don't want to 'snip' the part I want to reference, so I will put it here (and BBM)... and say, I agree!!
"Just also want to reiterate here Colorado303's point about the best way we can remember Shannan and her babies is to be a friend to those people we know who may be in bad situations. We gain knowledge by following cases and we may see the risks quicker and more clearly than others. And we can support the charities that provide the support for victims of violence within the home, they save lives."

 

[DexterMorgan]

His lawyer told his family to save their legal representation money and just ration it out for him and his commissary account for the next 50 years. Smart move.

 

[PommyMommy]

Chris Watts pleads guilty to Colorado killing of pregnant wife, daughters - CNN
"I can only say that I hope there is a sense of closure (for family members of the deceased)," Rourke told reporters. "I know that that will never be fully realized because, obviously, the tragedy that sits before us today is the loss of four beautiful lives (including Shanan's unborn baby)."

Prosecutors will ask for a judge to sentence Watts to life in prison, instead of seeking the death penalty.

Investigators never believed Watts' stories, Rourke said.

 

[JEM1975]

Crying for his deceased family, or crying for himself?

We’ll see what he has to say at sentencing.

Definitely himself!

 

[pocketaccent]

Most, but not all. That was the concerning part, although I never thought he’d get away with it.

I’m just glad that he won’t have the opportunity to inflict further damage and suffering on Shanann’s family and friends.

They can now move on, the best they can.

Whatever motivated him to plead guilty, I'm grateful he did. That's one thing he did right in a very long time.

Shanann got her dignity back today. Something that should have never been taken away from this beautiful mom, daughter, friend, someone who lived like there's no tomorrow. Hope Her family can move on a little bit easier now.

 

[MassGuy]

Whatever motivated him to plead guilty, I'm grateful he did. That's one thing he did right in a very long time.

Shanann got her dignity back today. Something that should have never been taken away from this beautiful mom, daughter, friend, someone who lived like there's no tomorrow. Hope Her family can move on a little bit easier now.

Wonderfully said. And you’re right, she never should have had to “get her dignity back.”

Her family lost a daughter and three grandchildren. They are suffering, and the least of their concerns should have been having to also defend her reputation.

It’s absolutely infuriating.

 

[Mitch11]

Now that this 'Plea' has sunk in, I am feeling quite ill.
All the unpleasantness we experienced on this thread, what SW's family had to endure, clearly indicates the evil around us.
An entire loving, beautiful family has had their lives terminated by a horrid person.
I feel so much, for SW's family and friends, and hope somehow they will be blessed, in the future to 'carry on' with their lives after this tragedy.

Me too. I've felt so upset today when I saw this news. I strongly believed he was responsible all along and without a doubt I am glad he's pleaded guilty for the sake of Shannan's family. However, I too feel sick with the reality of what he has done.

I feel so incredibly sad this happened. What an absolute waste. Beautiful lives taken and for what? He now spends his life in jail. My heart breaks for both families involved and all their friends.

I have to say this case has made me loose faith in humanity. All those slandering Shannan, digging through her posts and pulling apart her parenting. It's been so horrendous to watch. I can't imagine how traumatizing that must have been for her family.

 

[Trident]

Me too. I've felt so upset today when I saw this news. I strongly believed he was responsible all along and without a doubt I am glad he's pleaded guilty for the sake of Shannan's family. However, I too feel sick with the reality of what he has done.

I feel so incredibly sad this happened. What an absolute waste. Beautiful lives taken and for what? He now spends his life in jail. My heart breaks for both families involved and all their friends.

I have to say this case has made me loose faith in humanity. All those slandering Shannan, digging through her posts and pulling apart her parenting. It's been so horrendous to watch. I can't imagine how traumatizing that must have been for her family.

I never had much "faith" in humanity, but I used to have more respect for their intelligence.

 

[mtnlites]

This article actually answers two questions that were previously brought up...

Police said that after they found the bodies three days later, Chris Watts, 33, then said he strangled his wife in a rage after he saw her on a baby monitor choking the couple's 3-year-old daughter.

So he didn't admit to killing them and then directing them to their bodies. This reads as though they found the bodies first and THEN he gave them his story. (Most of us already knew this but a day or two ago this came up again and some thought that he told them where to find the bodies. That's not how this reads. It really does sound as if LE found them and then he scrambled to cover his tail.)

Also, a few days ago there were some questions about CW changing his story. One or two posters were saying that his story never changed. It DID, though.

He initially told law enforcement that on the morning of August 13 he told his wife he wanted to separate and then left for work.

This is confirmation that he did initially tell LE that she was there when he left. He later told LE that she'd killed the kids and he'd killed her in a rage.

These are just small things, but they inspired quite a bit of back and forth at the time.

Lastly...

Investigators never believed Watts' stories, Rourke said.

Not surprising. Neither did most of us.

Chris Watts pleads guilty to Colorado killing of pregnant wife, daughters - CNN

 

[MassGuy]

I never had much "faith" in humanity, but I used to have more respect for their intelligence.

Wow. I genuinely love/agree with that sentiment.

That might be my new favorite quote.

 

[human]

I agree. Something unexplainable and indefensible evidence that he killed them all with premeditation must be in the autopcy report. I wouldn't be surprised to discover different manner of death for each or some type of mutilation inflicted on the bodies.

Boy, I can't wait till the report is unsealed. Hopefully before Thanksgiving?

Maybe we can learn about why the gas cans too, if that was used in any way during 'burial'.

I could not believe it, but it may be possible he killed the kids first. Since they were not there as he was grilling, he may have been celebrating. The stomach contents of the girls will tell the tale.

The topic was forbidden before but since it has been brought up, perhaps there was sexual abuse.

 

[LovesPeace2]

Still with his plea it leaves so much unanswered as to why and why the freaking oil . i don't think at sentencing he's going to say anything but guilty. My heart goes out to both families all the pain he's caused them. At least now the healing can begin

 

[scandinavian girl]

I slept through all this. Thank you everyone for the updates it was quite a shock though it was obvious he did it. Are we ever going to know in wich order they were murdered? Shannan, Bella, Celeste and Nico may you now rest in peace.

 

[mtnlites]

While I am beyond thrilled with today's development, unfortunately I do not believe that the continuous victimization of Shanann will stop. There will always be those who either think he was goaded into accepting a plea or that even if he DID kill them all, it because of something she did. Facts, logic, and even his own words won't sway those who are stuck on those beliefs and only see what they want to see. There will still be forums, podcasts, blogs, social media groups, etc. with those who just can't let it go. Luckily, though, I do think the worst is over. Without am impending trial hovering over their heads for possibly years to come, and attorneys and investigators and everyone else digging into their private lives, hopefully the family and friends will now be able to start moving forward into whatever "new normal" life offers them. The fact that this happened so swiftly is good. Today is probably bittersweet.

 

[MassGuy]

Still with his plea it leaves so much unanswered as to why and why the freaking oil . i don't think at sentencing he's going to say anything but guilty. My heart goes out to both families all the pain he's caused them. At least now the healing can begin

The DA seems like a solid guy. During his press conference today, he indicated that he would be able to answer many of the questions that the public has, on the day of sentencing.

We’ll eventually be privy to most of the details that we want to know, to include autopsy reports and other investigative discoveries.

We knew all along that CW could not be believed, and although I do believe he’ll speak at sentencing, I’m not expecting much.

Some things he’ll likely take to the grave.

 

[molly1255]

Tears for himself only.

Yes. I found it interesting, but not surprising that CW was escorted into court wearing a bullet-proof vest.

 

[Charlot123]

I am glad he did it. Both families have been spared the grief and pain of going through the trial. Chris Watts spared the citizens of Colorado the resources and emotional turmoil of watching and following a lengthy trial.

He spared himself the indignity, humiliation and loss of whatever human he might still have in the course of the trial.

RIP, Shanann. In the end of the day, it is incredibly saddening that you trusted Chris Watts. I mourn the fulfilling life you could have lived, and were deprived of.

RIP, Bella, Celeste and Nico. I mourn your lives.

I wish both families to adapt to the pain and the loss, and may time bring you healing.

 

[molly1255]

While I am beyond thrilled with today's development, unfortunately I do not believe that the continuous victimization of Shanann will stop. There will always be those who either think he was goaded into accepting a plea or that even if he DID kill them all, it because of something she did. Facts, logic, and even his own words won't sway those who are stuck on those beliefs and only see what they want to see. There will still be forums, podcasts, blogs, social media groups, etc. with those who just can't let it go. Luckily, though, I do think the worst is over. Without am impending trial hovering over their heads for possibly years to come, and attorneys and investigators and everyone else digging into their private lives, hopefully the family and friends will now be able to start moving forward into whatever "new normal" life offers them. The fact that this happened so swiftly is good. Today is probably bittersweet.

I agree. The fact that this ever to happened to three beautiful souls and to Nico, who was never given a chance to experience life, breaks my heart. The fact this his happened to Shanann's family and her friends is heart-breaking as well.

There are so many victims, but I'm glad the surviving victims will not have to go through the pain and uncertainty that a trial would bring. I'm also very glad that Shanann's family was treated with much respect by the DA and others involved, and they were allowed to make the call on how justice would be served.