Shanann Watts Body - Facts And Findings

The story of Shanann Watts, her two young girls, Bella and Celeste, and her unborn baby, Nico, is one that has touched many people. It’s a truly difficult situation to think about, and the details that came out during the investigation were, in a way, quite hard to hear for a lot of folks. The events that unfolded in August 2018 have left a lasting impression, and many still seek to understand the facts surrounding what happened to them.

When we talk about the findings related to Shanann Watts' body, we are really talking about the official records and observations that came to light as part of the investigation. These are the pieces of information that helped piece together the sad events of that time. So, it's almost a way of looking at the facts that were gathered by authorities.

The information from reports and official statements paints a picture of the discovery of Shanann's body and those of her daughters. This includes where they were found and the process investigators went through to identify them and collect evidence. We will look at what was shared publicly about these findings, giving a clear view of the details as they were presented.

A Life Cut Short - Shanann Watts Biography
Personal Details and Background
When Was Shanann Watts' Body Discovered?
Where Was Shanann Watts' Body Located?
What Did the Autopsy Reveal About Shanann Watts' Body?
How Were the Children's Bodies Found Near Shanann Watts' Body?
The Investigation's Path to Finding Shanann Watts' Body
What Happened to Chris Watts After Shanann Watts' Body Was Found?

A Life Cut Short - Shanann Watts Biography

Shanann Watts, a woman from Frederick, Colorado, lived a life that, in many ways, seemed typical before the tragic events that came to pass. She was a mother expecting her third child, and she had two young daughters already. You know, she was someone who was deeply involved in her family life, as many mothers are. Her story, sadly, became known to many because of the very difficult circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the discovery of her body, along with her children.

At the time of her disappearance, Shanann was 34 years old. She was, as a matter of fact, 15 weeks along in her pregnancy, expecting a baby boy she had named Nico. Her daughters, Celeste, who was 3 years old, and Bella, who was 4 years old, were also part of her daily life. Their going missing from their Colorado home on a Monday set off a chain of events that led to a widespread search and, eventually, a very sad discovery. It's really quite a lot to take in, isn't it?

The details that emerged later about Shanann's personal life included information about her relationship with her husband, Chris Watts. It was revealed that Chris was involved with another woman, Nichol Kessinger. Text messages from Shanann, as it turns out, seemed to suggest that her husband had become somewhat distant and cold towards her. This background information, while not directly about Shanann Watts' body itself, provides some context to the events that unfolded around her.

Personal Details and Background

Name	Shanann Cathryn Watts
Age at time of disappearance	34 years old
Pregnancy Status	15 weeks pregnant with an unborn son, Nico
Children	Bella (4 years old), Celeste (3 years old)
Hometown	Frederick, Colorado
Marital Status	Married to Chris Watts

When Was Shanann Watts' Body Discovered?

The discovery of Shanann Watts' body was a significant turning point in the investigation into her disappearance and that of her daughters. It happened on a Thursday afternoon, as court documents later made clear. This finding, you see, came after a period of intense searching and public concern. The initial reports of her going missing on a Monday had really drawn a lot of attention, so the finding was a big step in the case.

Specifically, the autopsy on Shanann Watts' body started at 10:30 in the morning on August 17, 2018. This procedure took place at the McKee Medical Center, which is located in Loveland, Colorado. The examination was carried out because the Weld County authorities asked for it. This timing gives a pretty precise idea of when the formal process of examining her remains began, following their recovery.

Later on that same afternoon, official documents confirmed that Shanann Watts' body had been found. It was located in a shallow grave. This information was shared with news organizations, including 9News and the Coloradoan, after it was made available through court papers. So, that afternoon marked the moment when the public learned about this sad finding, which was, in a way, a very somber moment for many.

Where Was Shanann Watts' Body Located?

The place where Shanann Watts' body was found is a key piece of information in understanding the events that took place. She was found in a shallow grave. This grave was situated at an oil site. It was near some large drums, which are typically used in oil field operations. This specific location, as a matter of fact, became a very important detail in the ongoing investigation.

More specifically, the oil site where Shanann Watts' body was located belonged to Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. This company is, you know, one of Colorado's larger businesses involved in oil and gas drilling. Chris Watts, Shanann's husband, had worked for this company. So, the discovery of her body on property connected to his workplace added another layer to the sad story.

Authorities also stated that Shanann Watts' body was found on property that was part of a petroleum and natural gas exploration company. This information came directly from official sources. The company itself confirmed that Chris Watts had been an employee there, though his employment status at the exact time of the discovery was also a point of discussion. This connection to his place of work, really, was a significant aspect of the case.

What Did the Autopsy Reveal About Shanann Watts' Body?

The autopsy performed on Shanann Watts' body provided many important details that helped investigators piece together what happened. These reports, which were later made public by the Weld County District Attorney’s office, shared information about the condition of her body and, sadly, the cause of her passing. It's a very difficult subject, but these official findings are a crucial part of the record.

The examination of Shanann Watts' body, as described in the autopsy report, showed that she had patterned abrasions on her neck and on the left side of her body. These kinds of marks often point to a specific type of action. The report clearly stated that Shanann was strangled. This particular finding, in a way, gave a direct answer to the question of how she died, which was a very important piece of information for the investigation.

Beyond Shanann Watts' body itself, the autopsy reports also provided very detailed information about the condition of all three bodies – Shanann, Bella, and Celeste – after they were taken from the oil site. These reports, you know, contained what some might call very difficult details about how the bodies were found. Pathology, the study of disease and injury, is a field where many things can influence biological findings, and these reports reflected that careful study.

How Were the Children's Bodies Found Near Shanann Watts' Body?

The discovery of Bella and Celeste's bodies was linked to the same oil site where Shanann Watts' body was found, though their specific locations were different. This was a particularly distressing aspect of the case. The official reports made it clear that the two young girls were found inside oil tanks. These tanks, it was noted, were almost completely full of oil, which is a really grim detail to consider.

Chris Watts himself, during an interview conducted in prison on February 18, 2019, with the FBI, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and the Frederick Police Department, shared some very harsh details about that day. He described putting Bella’s little body into a well. After that, he went to bury Shanann. This statement from him, basically, gave a direct account of his actions concerning the children's bodies and Shanann Watts' body.

Investigators were able to find the bodies because Chris Watts marked up a photo of the oil field. He showed them where he had put them. He specifically noted that Bella and Celeste had been pushed into two separate oil tanks. So, this information, coming directly from him, was what guided the investigators to the precise spots where the girls were found, submerged in oil, while Shanann Watts' body was in a shallow grave nearby.

The Investigation's Path to Finding Shanann Watts' Body

The process of finding Shanann Watts' body and those of her daughters involved a coordinated effort by various law enforcement agencies. Investigators in Colorado, for instance, had a strong belief that they had found the bodies of the missing pregnant woman and her two daughters. This belief grew as her husband, Chris Watts, made his appearance in court, which was a significant moment in the case.

Court documents that became public played a big part in revealing details about the discovery of Shanann Watts' body. These new papers made it clear that the body of the pregnant mother, whose husband was suspected of taking her life and the lives of their two young daughters, had been located. This public release of information helped to confirm what many had feared, you know, as the search went on.

Evidence gathered at the oil site also contributed to the investigation. For example, a bag with what looked like a footprint was found at the oil site where Shanann Watts' body and her daughters' bodies were found. This kind of physical evidence, basically, helps to build a clearer picture of what happened at the scene. Chris Watts also told investigators that he had used a rake, which broke, to try to clear some brush and weeds, and then used something else, though the source text doesn't specify what else he used. This information, too, was part of his statements to the authorities.

What Happened to Chris Watts After Shanann Watts' Body Was Found?

After Shanann Watts' body and the bodies of their daughters were found, the focus of the investigation quickly turned to Chris Watts, her husband. Initially, Chris Watts tried to present himself as a father who was very upset and worried about his missing family. However, even early on in the disappearance of his pregnant wife and two young daughters, people who study such things suggested that his behavior did not quite fit the picture he was trying to paint. It's really quite a contrast, isn't it?

It was later confirmed that Chris Watts had murdered his pregnant wife, Shanann, and their two young daughters. This stark reality came to light as the investigation moved forward. A very disturbing detail that came out was that Chris Watts had just strangled his wife, Shanann, and was wrapping her in a sheet to get rid of her body when their daughter, Bella, walked into the room. This particular piece of information, in a way, highlights the truly difficult nature of the events.

A judge named Kopcow spoke about the crime, calling it the "most inhumane" act he had seen in his 17 years working in the courts. He expressed that Watts deserved "nothing less than the maximum sentence." Chris Watts, who was 33 at the time, also had some request denied, though the specific nature of what was denied is not detailed in the provided information. This indicates that legal processes were moving forward against him after the discovery of Shanann Watts' body and his daughters'.