I’ve spent more nights than I care to admit staring at my ceiling, trying to wrap my head around the Chris Watts case. How does a seemingly normal suburban dad wake up one August morning and decide to annihilate his entire family? (And yes, I’ve triple-checked my locks after each research session.)
The Watts family murders hit different. Maybe it’s because Chris looked like every other dad at the soccer field. Or because Shanann documented their “perfect” life on Facebook with the enthusiasm of a social media influencer. Or maybe it’s the absolutely bone-chilling way he disposed of his daughters’ bodies.
Whatever it is, this case haunts me. And apparently, you too.
The Perfect Family Man Facade
If you’ve fallen down the same rabbit hole I have, you know the basics. August 13, 2018: Chris Watts strangled his pregnant wife Shanann and smothered his daughters Bella (4) and Celeste (3). He then stuffed his children’s bodies into crude oil tanks where he worked and buried Shanann in a shallow grave nearby.
The man who committed these acts had, just hours before, texted his wife that he loved her. The same man who later gave an eerily calm TV interview pleading for their safe return.
(Ryan walked in during my fifth rewatch of this interview and said, “You know staring at that guy’s face won’t change what happened, right?” HELPFUL, RYAN.)
The Psychological Profile: Empty Behind the Eyes
What struck me most about Watts was his emotional flatness. The man had the emotional range of a potato—even when discussing his missing family.
Psychologists point to a cluster of narcissistic traits in Watts’ personality. He was pathologically self-centered, viewing his family as extensions of himself rather than as individuals with their own value. When they no longer fit his desired narrative (new hot girlfriend, freedom from financial stress), they became obstacles to be eliminated.
His upbringing likely contributed to this psychological makeup. Watts grew up with an emotionally distant father, learning early to suppress his feelings and seek external validation—as subtle as a bloodstain on white carpet.
The Affair: The Match to the Gasoline
Enter Nichol Kessinger, Watts’ coworker-turned-mistress. Their affair wasn’t just a fling—it was Watts’ escape fantasy come to life. In psychological analyses of the case, experts note that Watts didn’t just want Kessinger; he wanted the clean-slate life she represented.
In his warped mind, divorce was apparently too complicated. Murder seemed… simpler? (I know. I KNOW.)
The text messages between Watts and Kessinger reveal a man who was reconstructing his identity, shedding his family man persona like a snake sheds skin. He was already living in his new reality mentally—his family just hadn’t gotten the memo that they were supposed to disappear.
The Confession: When the Mask Slipped
The most chilling aspect of this case might be Watts’ behavior during police interviews. Body language experts who’ve analyzed his interrogation footage point out his bizarre calmness, his calculated pauses, and his ability to lie with the confidence of a seasoned con artist.
When he finally confessed, it wasn’t because of overwhelming guilt. It was because the evidence had him cornered like a rat in a trap.
What’s truly disturbing is how he described the murders—with the emotional detachment of someone recounting a trip to the grocery store. He remembered what his daughters’ last words were (“Daddy, no!”) but showed zero emotional reaction while recounting them.
If that doesn’t make your skin crawl, check your pulse.
The Warning Signs We All Missed
Looking back at the Watts’ social media presence is like watching a horror movie where you know the ending but the characters don’t. The signs were there:
- Shanann’s posts became increasingly one-sided, with fewer appearances from Chris
- His sudden interest in fitness and appearance
- The increasing financial strain that Shanann documented in texts to friends
- His emotional withdrawal that she desperately tried to fix
These aren’t just red flags—they’re crimson banners flapping in a hurricane. But hindsight is 20/20, and these warning signs only become obvious after tragedy strikes.
What This Means For All of Us
The Watts case isn’t just another entry in the true crime encyclopedia. It’s a stark reminder that sometimes monsters wear the disguise of normalcy so convincingly that no one sees them coming.
It’s also a reminder to trust your instincts. If someone’s affect seems off, pay attention. If their words and actions don’t align, there’s usually a reason.
And maybe—just maybe—we need to stop expecting people’s social media to tell the truth about their lives.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go check my locks again. Some cases just get under your skin like that.