NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Travel
  • Home & Away
  • Podcasts
  • Win
  • Video
NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Travel
  • Home & Away
  • Podcasts
  • Win
  • Video
Subscribe
Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

Teacher's Pet: Shocking new twist in Lynette Dawson case

Nine-year-old child charged with 'murdering his family'

Nine-year-old child charged with 'murdering his family'

Public outcry over man's '50 Shades of Grey' defence for killing girlfriend

Baby formula ‘syndicate’ caught abusing Woolworths’ two-tin limit

{headline}

{headline}

Angry Anderson breaks silence on son Liam's tragic death

Christopher Watts avoids death penalty over murdering his pregnant wife and two children

35-year mystery – I found my brother’s killer on FACEBOOK

{headline}

{headline}

US report: Burke Ramsey unmasks JonBenet's killer

US report: Burke Ramsey unmasks JonBenet's killer

New development in William Tyrrell case

New development in William Tyrrell case

Notorious murderous mother Marybeth Tinning to walk out of prison

Neo-natal nurse arrested on suspicion of murder of 8 babies

Karen Ristevski’s daughter to give evidence against her father Borce

Uber Eats delivery man 'murders customer'

Baby girl snatched from hotel room is raped and murdered

Baby girl snatched from hotel room is raped and murdered

  1. Home
  2. Crime

Family killer Chris Watts sentenced

The Colorado man murdered his pregnant wife and two daughters. - by Grace Back
  • 20 Nov 2018

Christopher Watts has been sentenced to life in prison for the murders of his pregnant wife and their two young daughters at an emotional sentencing. 

The 33-year-old appeared in court on Greesley, Colorado, on Monday to learn what the judge had ruled. 

Watts accepted a plea deal earlier this month to avoid facing the death penalty. 

On November 20, Watts was sentenced to life without parole for the murders of his 34-year-old wife Shanann and their daughters Bella and Celeste, three and four. 

watts
Getty

The sentencing was the first time prosecutors confirmed Watts' motive: to begin a new life with his girlfriend who he had been seeing for months before he carried out the crimes. 

Watts murdered his wife and children on August 13, 2018. He placed his daughters in oil tanks and wife, who was 15 weeks pregnant, was found in a shallow grave. 

Before a judge handed down his sentence on Monday, Watts listened to his father-in-law and brother-in-law deliver statements about him. 

They dubbed him an "evil monster" and asked why he "slaughtered" his family who worshiped him.

Mr Watts did not speak at the hearing, but his lawyers said: "Mr Watts has asked us to share this morning that he is devastated by all of this and although he understands that words are hollow at this point, he is sincerely sorry for all of this." 

CBS News on Twitter

Watt's mother also spoke at the sentencing. 

She said through tears, "My name is  Cindy Watts. I am the grandmother of two beautiful granddaughters and I am the mother of Christopher Watts.  

"To my son Christopher. I have known you since the day you were born into this world. I've watched you grow from a quiet and sweet, curious child, who Bella reminded me so much of, to a young man who worked hard in sports and later in mechanics to achieve your goals.

"You were a good friend, father, brother and son. We have loved you from the beginning and we still love you now. 

"This might be hard for some to understand how I can sit here under these circumstances and tell you all that we are heartbroken. Although we can't imagine what could have led us to this day, we love you. 

cindy watts

Cindy Watts

Getty

"Maybe you can't believe it either. As the lord said, I have loved you with an everlasting love.  Therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

'As your mother, Chris, I have always loved you. I still do."

  • News
  • Crime
Grace Back
Grace is the Digital Content Editor at New Idea. Grace is a lifestyle junkie who has previously interned at Dolly, Stellar and marie claire, as well having written in the fashion and beauty sections at Finder.com.au. When not working, you can find Grace heading for the slopes, playing with her pup or stuck in a seemingly endless Instagram scroll.

Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!-SAVE 79%

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!

Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!-SAVE 79%

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!

Recommended to you

Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

Teacher's Pet: Shocking new twist in Lynette Dawson case

Nine-year-old child charged with 'murdering his family'

Nine-year-old child charged with 'murdering his family'

Public outcry over man's '50 Shades of Grey' defence for killing girlfriend

Baby formula ‘syndicate’ caught abusing Woolworths’ two-tin limit

{headline}

{headline}

Angry Anderson breaks silence on son Liam's tragic death

Christopher Watts avoids death penalty over murdering his pregnant wife and two children

35-year mystery – I found my brother’s killer on FACEBOOK

{headline}

{headline}

US report: Burke Ramsey unmasks JonBenet's killer

US report: Burke Ramsey unmasks JonBenet's killer

New development in William Tyrrell case

New development in William Tyrrell case

Notorious murderous mother Marybeth Tinning to walk out of prison

Neo-natal nurse arrested on suspicion of murder of 8 babies

Karen Ristevski’s daughter to give evidence against her father Borce

Uber Eats delivery man 'murders customer'

Baby girl snatched from hotel room is raped and murdered

Baby girl snatched from hotel room is raped and murdered

NewIdea
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions
NewIdea Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions

Brands

  • Girlfriend
  • New Idea food
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from New Idea

Magazine Subscription Offer

Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!-SAVE 79%

Shop This Offer
Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!