The Custodian Of Solitude: 7 Shocking Details About Christopher Watts' Life In Prison Today

As of December 15, 2025, the name Christopher Watts remains synonymous with one of the most shocking and tragic family annihilations in modern American history: the 2018 murders of his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, and their two young daughters, Bella and Celeste. Despite the passage of time, public fascination with the case, fueled by documentaries like Netflix's American Murder: The Family Next Door, has not waned.

Watts is currently serving multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole, having pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty. His life behind bars is a stark contrast to the seemingly idyllic suburban existence he destroyed, offering a chilling glimpse into the isolation and routine of a convicted family killer. The latest insights into his prison life reveal a man who has adopted a highly structured, solitary existence, marked by a surprising job assignment and controversial claims of religious redemption.

Christopher Watts: Biographical Profile and The Crime

Christopher Lee Watts was a seemingly ordinary family man whose horrific crimes exposed a dark, duplicitous life. His biography provides the foundation for understanding the tragedy that unfolded in Frederick, Colorado.

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• Full Name: Christopher Lee Watts (Chris Watts)
• Date of Birth: May 16, 1985
• Place of Birth: Spring Lake, North Carolina, U.S.
• Victims: Shanann Cathryn Watts (wife, 34, pregnant with a son, Nico), Bella Marie Watts (daughter, 4), and Celeste Cathryn Watts (daughter, 3).
• Date of Murders: August 13, 2018
• Location of Murders: Frederick, Colorado (family home and a nearby oil field).
• Motive (Inferred): Desire to start a new life with his mistress, Nichol Kessinger, and escape his marriage.
• Plea: Pleaded guilty on November 6, 2018, to nine counts, including five counts of first-degree murder.
• Sentence: Five life sentences (two consecutive, three concurrent) without the possibility of parole.
• Current Incarceration: Transferred out of Colorado for his safety; currently at a high-security facility, reportedly Dodge Correctional Institute in Wisconsin.

The sheer brutality of the crime—strangling his pregnant wife and then suffocating his two young daughters—left the nation reeling. The initial staged pleas for their return and his subsequent failed polygraph test became central to the case's media coverage and the true crime genre's fascination with the psychology of the family annihilator.

The Monastic Routine: Life as a Custodian in Solitude

Watts’s current reality is one of extreme isolation, a necessary measure taken by the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) to ensure his safety after his highly publicized conviction. Transferred to a facility outside of Colorado, he is reportedly housed in a high-security unit, minimizing contact with the general prison population.

1. The Custodial Job Assignment

One of the most surprising details about his daily life is his job: Christopher Watts works as a custodian within the prison facility. This assignment, common for inmates in his security level, involves cleaning and maintaining certain areas of the prison. The work is routine and solitary, fitting the profile of an inmate who largely keeps to himself.

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2. The "Life of Prayer" and Religious Claims

Reports and leaked prison letters indicate that Watts has turned to religion and claims to have found forgiveness. He reportedly spends his days reading the Bible and engaging in what he calls a "life of prayer." In one letter, he explicitly stated that he believes "God has forgiven him" for the murders. This narrative of religious redemption, however, is often met with widespread skepticism and condemnation from the public and true crime commentators, who view it as a self-serving attempt to mitigate his guilt.

3. Blaming Others in New Prison Letters

Despite his claims of finding God, new prison correspondence suggests a continued pattern of shifting blame. In letters that surfaced in the media, Watts has reportedly begun to blame other women—not Shanann, but other women in his life—for the events that led to the murders. This behavior aligns with the psychological profile of individuals who struggle to take full responsibility for their actions, even after a guilty plea.

The Aftermath: The Sale of the Murder House and Enduring Public Fascination

The Watts family murders created a deep scar on the community of Frederick, Colorado, and the broader public consciousness. The physical and emotional remnants of the tragedy continue to be processed years later, most notably through the fate of the family home and the endless media scrutiny.

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4. The Sale of the Frederick Home

The house on Saratoga Trail, where Shanann Watts was strangled, remained a macabre symbol for years, stuck in legal and financial limbo. After a long period of uncertainty, the former Watts house was officially sold in 2024. Originally listed for a significant price, it ultimately sold for much less, a clear reflection of the stigma—known in real estate as "stigmatized property"—attached to the site of the horrific crime. The sale finally closed a physical chapter of the tragedy for the neighborhood.

5. The Unending True Crime Obsession

The Watts case has become a cornerstone of the modern true crime genre. The raw, unedited footage from police body cameras, Watts’s initial interviews, and the chilling confessions provided a wealth of material that captivated millions. The Netflix documentary, which used social media posts and police files, brought the case to a global audience, ensuring that the names Shanann, Bella, and Celeste Watts will not be forgotten. The ongoing media coverage and the constant flow of new books, podcasts, and articles demonstrate the public's enduring need to understand the incomprehensible act of a family annihilator.

6. The Premeditation Revelation

Further details that emerged after the trial painted an even darker picture of Watts's actions. It was revealed that Watts had allegedly attempted to smother his daughters, Bella and Celeste, hours before the final, fatal act. This revelation countered the initial public narrative that the murders were a sudden, unplanned act of rage, suggesting a higher degree of premeditation and malice. This detail continues to shock and horrify those who follow the case, solidifying the perception of his calculated cruelty.

7. No Possibility of Parole

A crucial detail for the public is the finality of his sentence. Watts received five life sentences, two of which were ordered to be served consecutively, meaning he will never be eligible for parole. The Weld County court ensured that Christopher Watts will spend the remainder of his natural life incarcerated. This definitive outcome provides a measure of closure to the legal proceedings, though the emotional wounds for the victims' families remain permanent.

Christopher Watts's current existence is a life sentence of isolation, routine, and public infamy. While he labors as a custodian and seeks solace in prayer, the legacy of his actions—the shattered lives of Shanann, Bella, and Celeste—continues to resonate, serving as a grim reminder of the darkness that can hide behind the facade of a perfect family life.