Chris Watts, convicted for the 2018 murders of his pregnant wife and two daughters, has written disturbing letters claiming God’s forgiveness. He also attempts to justify his actions, blaming his mistress for his crimes.
Chris Watts, the convicted killer who was sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murders of his pregnant wife, Shannan, and their two young daughters, Bella and Celeste, has made disturbing claims about finding forgiveness and peace after his crimes.
In a series of recent letters sent from his Wisconsin prison, Watts, who shocked the world in 2018 when he admitted to murdering his wife and children, stated that he has turned to religion and that God has forgiven him for the horrific acts he committed. His remarks have drawn widespread condemnation, especially considering the chilling details of the murders, which included strangling his wife and suffocating his young daughters before disposing of their bodies in oil tanks.
Watts’ Disturbing Justification for the Murders
Watts, now 40, was initially convicted after a public plea for the safe return of his family, even as investigators began to piece together the gruesome truth. Despite his confessions and life sentence without parole, Watts has consistently attempted to justify his actions in letters to penpals and other inmates.
In a letter obtained by the Daily Mail, Watts wrote:
“I am a new man. I am not the person who committed those horrible acts. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says ‘if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’ That’s me. I’m a new creature.”
Watts went on to claim that God does not see him as a sinner who murdered his family, but as God’s child, emphasizing his newfound peace and forgiveness. He further elaborated:
“God has separated me from my sin as far as the east is from the west. But forgiveness of self is another matter entirely and it has taken me years to find my peace, the peace that passes all understanding.”
While Watts repeatedly expressed his peace with the situation, many remain disturbed by his tendency to blame others for his violent actions. In particular, he has repeatedly pointed the finger at his former mistress, Nichol Kessinger, who had learned of his affair and asked for a divorce just before the murders.
Blaming Kessinger: A Disturbing Pattern of Denial
In a particularly troubling letter, Watts claimed that he had always taken full responsibility for his actions, but suggested that Kessinger was the true cause of the tragedy, calling her a “wicked woman” and a “harlot” who “led him astray.” Watts referred to her as a “Jezebel” and insisted that he had been “misled” by her.
“I have always taken full responsibility for what I did, even though I was misled by a wicked woman. She was a harlot, a Jezebel who led me astray. Who spoke sweet words of destruction. But I will let God have his justice with her. I was weak and I let her cloud my morals and my judgment.”
This deflection of blame onto Kessinger is not the first time Watts has attempted to justify his actions. In 2019, he described his affair with Kessinger as a relationship where he was “in love with two women at the same time.” In a 2020 letter to God, he continued to blame her, describing the affair as something caused by her “flattering speech” which he compared to “drops of honey that pierced my heart.”
Public Reaction and the Ongoing Tragedy
The public’s reaction to Watts’ letters has been one of outrage and disbelief, particularly over his attempts to justify the brutal killings and shift blame onto others. Nichol Kessinger, who was never involved in the murders, has not been charged with any crime and has distanced herself from the case, denying any wrongdoing.
Watts’ behavior and his disturbing letters have sparked renewed discussions about his psychological state and the potential for manipulation in prison. His ability to justify his actions and continue to blame others raises troubling questions about the depth of his remorse and accountability for his crimes.
The Tragic Fate of the Watts Family
In August 2018, Watts murdered his wife Shannan, who was 15 weeks pregnant, and their two daughters, Bella (4) and Celeste (3), in their Colorado home. Shannan’s body was later discovered buried in a shallow grave on an oil field site, while the young girls were found in nearby oil tanks.
Chris Watts’ actions sent shockwaves through the nation and left an enduring mark on the Colorado community. Despite his confession and life sentence, the horror of the murders continues to haunt both his family and the broader public.
A Deeper Look at Chris Watts’ Psychology
Chris Watts’ letters reflect a complex interplay of denial, narcissism, and self-deception. His claims of being a “new man” and his appeals to religion may suggest a desire for self-forgiveness and a way to reconcile with the heinous crimes he committed. However, his repeated efforts to deflect responsibility, notably by blaming others like Kessinger, raise concerns about his genuine remorse and accountability.
Experts in criminal psychology argue that Watts’ behavior is not uncommon in cases of psychopathy or sociopathy, where the individual lacks true empathy and struggles to accept the full consequences of their actions. His letters may provide insight into his ongoing struggle with guilt and his attempt to seek peace, even if it comes at the cost of blaming others.
If You’re Struggling with Mental Health: Get Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, suicidal thoughts, or other crises, help is available:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 or text 988 to speak with a counselor.
Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 for confidential support.
Mental Health America: Visit mhanational.org for resources and support.
