PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSY ON CHRIS WATTS
PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSY OF CHRIS WATTS
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Background
Chris Watts, born in 1985 in North Carolina, grew up in a
seemingly normal family with his parents and sister. He met his
wife, Shanann, online in 2010, married in 2012, and had two
daughters, Bella and Celeste, with another child on the way at the
time of the crime.
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The Crime
On August 13, 2018, Chris Watts killed his pregnant wife, Shanann,
by strangulation and his daughters, Bella and Celeste, by
suffocation. He disposed of their bodies at his workplace and
initially reported them missing, misleading the police. He later
confessed and was sentenced to five life sentences without parole.
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Psychological Analysis
Research suggests Watts exhibited traits of narcissism or antisocial
personality disorder, marked by deceit, lack of empathy, and
manipulativeness. His affair with co-worker Nichol Kessinger and financial
stress likely triggered his actions, fitting the profile of a "disappointed" or
"anomic" family annihilator. There is no clear evidence of a diagnosed
mental illness, but his behavior indicates a complex psychological state.
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Unexpected Detail
Despite his calm demeanor, Watts claimed in later interviews he
Felt guilt and considered suicide, revealing a conflicted internal
state not immediately apparent from his actions.
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Comprehensive Analysis of Chris Watts' Psychological Profile
This detailed analysis explores the psychological autopsy of Chris
Watts, an American man convicted of murdering his pregnant wife
and two young daughters in August 2018, focusing on his
behavior, motivations, and potential mental health profile. The
examination is based on publicly available information,
acknowledging the complexity and lack of formal psychological
evaluations before his crimes.
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Early Life and Background
Christopher Lee Watts was born on May 16, 1985, in Spring Lake,
North Carolina, to parents Cindy and Ronnie Watts, with a sister,
Jamie Lynn Williams. His childhood was described as
unremarkable, with him being introverted and reserved, often
focusing on studies and athletics rather than socializing (Chris
Watts' Murderer Mind: A Psychological Profile). He attended Pine
Forest High School and later worked as an accountant at Anadarko
Petroleum Corporation. There are no reports of significant
traumatic events or mental health issues in his early life that
directly correlate with his later criminal behavior, suggesting his
personality traits may have developed over time.
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Adult Life and Relationships
Watts met Shanann Cathryn Rzucek online in 2010 through a
Facebook friend request, marrying her on November 3, 2012, in
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (Chris Watts Wiki, Age,
Girlfriend, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More). They had two
daughters: Bella Marie, born December 17, 2013, and Celeste
Cathryn "Cece," born July 17, 2015, with Shanann pregnant with
their third child, Nico, at the time of the murders. The couple
moved to Frederick, Colorado, where financial stress became
evident, with reports of living beyond their means, maxed-out
credit cards, and being three months behind on their mortgage
(Beneath appearance of perfect family, Christopher Watts lied and
cheated even as his wife attempted to save their marriage).
Watts was having an affair with co-worker Nichol Kessinger,
meeting her in 2017 and engaging in the relationship in the
months leading up to the murders (Chris Watts' Alleged Co-Worker
Lover Cooperating with Police). He lied to Kessinger, claiming he
was in the final stages of a divorce, indicating deceitful tendencies
(Chris Watts' Mistress Breaks Silence About Affair with Triple-
Murderer: 'He Lied About Everything').
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Criminal History and Behavior Patterns
On August 13, 2018, Watts killed Shanann by strangulation after
she returned from a business trip, then smothered Bella and
Celeste, disposing of their bodies in oil tanks at his workplace
(Watts family murders - Wikipedia). He initially reported them
missing, giving a TV interview pleading for their return, which
experts later described as manipulative and sociopathic (Murder
Suspect Chris Watts Was 'Convincing Liar' in Interview).
Surveillance footage showed him loading a gas can into his truck,
contradicting his claims (Watts family murders - Wikipedia). After
arrest on August 15, he confessed, initially blaming Shanann for
killing the children, later admitting to all murders on November 6,
2018, as part of a plea deal avoiding the death penalty, which was
later abolished in Colorado in 2020 (Chris Watts sentenced to life
for ‘inhumane’ killings of two daughters and pregnant wife | CNN).
He was sentenced to five life sentences on November 19, 2018,
and transferred to Dodge Correctional Institution in Wisconsin due
to safety concerns (Where Is Chris Watts Today? A Look at His
Life in Prison After Family Murders).
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Psychological Analysis
It is unclear if Watts was ever formally diagnosed with a mental
disorder before his crimes, but research suggests he likely
NPD/antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), characterized by
grandiosity, lack of empathy, and manipulativeness (Inside the
mind of a killer: Psychology experts discuss Chris Watts' behavior
following family's murder). Forensic psychologist Kerry Daynes
claimed he was not a psychopath but "emotionally inadequate,"
suggesting a lack of emotional depth rather than clinical
psychopathy (Killer Chris Watts Not A Psychopath, Says Forensic
Psychologist). His ability to maintain a facade of normalcy, hide his
affair, and commit the murders points to deceit and control,
aligning with ASPD traits.
Watts' behavior fits the profile of a "disappointed" or "anomic"
family annihilator, driven by perceived failures in his marriage and
financial stress, with the affair as a trigger (Family Annihilation:
The Crimes and Psychology of Familicide). His lack of remorse,
evident in interviews where he claimed guilt but showed little
emotion, supports this (Is Chris Watts Mentally Ill? | TRUE CRIME
ROCKET SCIENCE). Theories applying Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud
suggest internal conflicts and a dual persona, with Watts playing
roles of loyal husband and perfect father while harboring
destructive impulses (Chris Watts: Personality through Jung and
Freud).
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Motivating Factors
It seems likely his primary motivation was escaping his perceived
trapped situation, with the affair offering an escape route and
financial stress exacerbating his feelings of failure. His letters to
prison mate Dylan Tallman reveal he blamed Shanann for being a
"control freak," suggesting resentment (Chris Watts blames
‘control freak’ wife on affair in sick letters about killing her and
kids | The Independent). The impending birth of another child may
have intensified his stress, aligning with family annihilator profiles
triggered by family breakdown or financial distress.
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Controversy and Complexity
The evidence leans toward premeditation, but controversy exists
around his mental state. Some speculate psychosis or temporary
insanity, though no formal diagnosis supports this (Is Chris Watts
evil or mentally ill? - Quora). His claim of considering suicide post-
crime, as per former FBI profiler Candice DeLong, adds complexity,
as family annihilators often commit suicide, which Watts did not
(Watts family murders - Wikipedia
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