American Murder: The Family Next Door: true story behind new crime documentary about the Watts family murders

New Netlfix true crime doc tells the story of the Watts Family Murders

In the early hours of the morning on August 13, 2018, Chris Watts murdered his wife, Shanann Watts, their two daughters, Bella and Celeste, and their unborn son, Nico, and disposed of their bodies at his worksite.

This shocking act of familicide which shook America has been turned into a gripping newly released Netflix true crime documentary.

Using first-hand footage, including social media posts, law enforcement recordings, text messages and home video footage, the feature documentary will take a closer look at the case.

What’s the story?

On August 15, 2018, Chris Watts confessed to killing his pregnant wife, Shanann, in a fit of rage. He said he did it because she strangled their children after he asked for a separation.

A few days later, he later admitted to lying to the police and confessed to the murder of his two young daughters as well. He is currently serving a total of five life sentences in prison.

The events, which took place in Colorado, grabbed state and national interest, but also became the focal point of obsessive social media users who wanted to learn more and tarnish the reputation of Shanann.

Shanann and daughters go missing

Shanann Watts had returned to her home in Frederick, Colorado, after a business trip. Just hours later herself and her children were murdered.

The last known footage of the mother was published by CNN in February 2019 and shows Shanann walking through her front door at 1:48am.

Her friend Nickole Atkinson, who dropped her off at her home, tried to get in contact with Shanann a few hours later but couldn’t get hold of her. She later called Chris, and also called the police to report that they were missing.

An investigation was conducted at the Watts’ home where Shanann’s car and all of her belongings were located. No signs of foul play were discovered.

The next day, Shanann and her daughters were declared missing.

The investigation

Over the following days Chris Watts’ story had changed dramatically. He had initially told the police that he had no idea where his family might be. He had also appeared on news shows appealing to the community to help search for his family.

As this was happening, investigators in the police department, the CBI and the FBI searched his phone records and found that he was having an affair with a co-worker. Two days after his wife and daughter’s disappearances, Chris failed a polygraph test.

Chris vowed to tell the police the truth, but wished to speak to his father first. He was allowed to do so, and confessed the crime to his dad.

He revealed the location of his family’s bodies, and they were found at an Anaradrko Petroleum site.

Shanann’s body was in a shallow grave, and his daughters’ bodies were found in oil tanks.

On August 21, 2018, Chris was charged with the murder of his family.

The truth

In a five-hour interview with investigators, Chris Watts revealed the truth.

He told the police that after a fight with Shanann about his wish to separate, Chris strangled her to death. His two daughters awoke whilst he was trying to bring the body downstairs.

He loaded the body into his truck and took the girls to the burial site. He then smothered the girls one by one and disposed of the three bodies at the oil site.

He is currently serving out his life sentences at a maximum security prison in Wisconsin.

Where can I watch the documentary?

American Murder: The family next door was released on September 30, and is available to watch on the streaming platform Netflix.