Chris Watts' Parents Break Eight-Year Silence on Son's Crimes and Family Rift
Ronnie and Cindy Watts reveal details about their son's crimes, their estrangement from their daughter-in-law's family, and their enduring grief.
Eight years after their son Chris Watts murdered his pregnant wife Shanann and their two young daughters, his parents, Ronnie and Cindy Watts, are breaking their long silence. In a series of interviews, they have revealed details about their son's crimes, their profound grief, and a toxic rift with their daughter-in-law's family.
Ronnie and Cindy Watts have not spoken intimately about the events of August 2018 until now. They described the agonizing period following their son's arrest and conviction, during which they have endured immense pain and public scrutiny. The couple expressed disbelief and horror at Chris Watts' actions, recounting his confession and the subsequent discovery of the bodies of Shanann, 15 weeks pregnant, and their daughters, Bella and Celeste.
Watts was sentenced to five consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders. The details of the crime, including how Watts disposed of the bodies in oil fields near their Frederick, Colorado, home, have haunted the family. His parents admitted to struggling with the enormity of his crimes, with Cindy Watts questioning the motive, stating, “I’m not saying he shouldn’t be in jail. He killed his wife, but why the girls?”
Ronnie Watts has also spoken about his efforts to understand the situation, recalling a visit to Chris in prison where he held up a paper plate and asked his son, “Will you please explain to me how you fit their bodies in a hole this size?” This quest for understanding highlights the family's ongoing struggle to comprehend the horrific acts.
The parents also revealed a significant family rift with the Rzucek family, Shanann's parents. This estrangement appears to stem from the differing ways the two families have processed the tragedy and the legal proceedings. Ronnie Watts expressed his belief that Watts' mistress, Nichol Kessinger, played a role in his son's actions, suggesting a potential deflection of blame or an attempt to find external factors to explain the murders.
Despite the passage of time, the Watts family continues to grapple with the loss and the public's perception of their son. They expressed a desire for their grandchildren, Bella and Celeste, to be remembered for their lives, not just their deaths. The resurfacing of these details underscores the enduring impact of the Watts family murders on all involved.