SHANANN Watts is the late wife of Chris Watts, who murdered her and their two daughters while she was pregnant with his third child.
Shanann’s murder is detailed in Channel 5’s show A Suburban Nightmare, which airs on October 2, 2024. Here’s everything you need to know about her harrowing death.
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Who was Chris Watts’ wife Shanann?
Shanann was born on January 10, 1984, in North Carolina and married her husband Chris in 2012.
She was an independent representative for the multi-level marketing company Le-Vel.
Shanann posted videos on social media promoting selling the wellness supplement, Thrive.
The businesswoman had two daughters with her husband, named Bella and Celeste.
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When did Shanann Watts disappear?
On August 13, 2018, Shanann was driven home by her friend, Nickole Utoft Atkinson, after returning from a business trip.
Her husband stayed home with their daughters.
That same day, Shanann and her daughters were reported missing by Nickole, after she missed her gynecology appointment.
Nickole then phoned the police and told Chris that his wife was missing.
A police officer conducted a welfare check at the house and found Shanann’s wedding ring as well as her bag, which contained her keys and medication.
They also found her car in the garage, which had their daughters’ car seats inside.
Meanwhile, Christopher appeared in several TV interviews calling for the return of his family.
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How was Shannan Watts murdered?
Chris admitted to his father that he murdered Shannan, but said that he killed his wife because she had murdered their children.
This was revealed to be a lie and Chris was arrested on August 15.
Shannan’s body, as well as the bodies of the couple’s children, were found by police on August 16.
Shanann was buried in a shallow grave, whereas Bella and Celeste (Chris’ daughters) were found in crude oil storage tanks.
It was also revealed that Chris had been having an affair with Nichol Kessinger since July 2018.
Nichol was unaware that Chris and Shannan were still married.
Was Shanann Watts pregnant when Chris Watts murdered her?
On June 11, 2018, Shanann surprised her husband with the news that she was pregnant with a third child.
Shanann recorded her husband’s reaction in a video that was later passed on to the police.
She also shared a picture of her first ultrasound on her Facebook, writing that her husband is the “best dad us girls could ask for.”
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What was Chris Watts’ sentence?
On November 6, 2018, Chris pleaded guilty to the murder of his family.
Shanann’s family said that they did not want Chris to face the death penalty since they didn’t want more death.
The killer was sentenced to five life sentences, without the possibility of parole.
He also received 48 years in prison for the unlawful termination of Shanann’s pregnancy and 36 additional years for tampering with a deceased body.