Colorado authorities announced they found “two bodies” that are thought to be the two young girls reported missing along with their pregnant mother, who was found dead earlier Thursday, officials said.
Officials in Frederick tweeted that “police have strong reason to believe” that the bodies are Celeste, 3, and Bella Watts, 4.
#ShanannWattsInvestigation Update 1 of 3: In the late afternoon hours, evidence technicians from both Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Frederick Police Dept. located two bodies whom police have strong reason to believe are Bella and Celeste Watts, daughters of Shanann Watts.
— Town of Frederick (@TownofFrederick) August 17, 2018
Their father is accused of killing the girls and their mother, Shanann Watts, and is thought to have committed the murder at the family’s residence, prosecutors said Thursday.
Chris Watts, 33, was ordered to be held without bond by Judge Marcelo Copcow during a court appearance following his earlier arrest. He is expected to be charged with three counts each of murder and tampering with evidence and the judge gave prosecutors a Monday deadline to charge him formally.
UPDATE: Prosecutors say they believe that Shanann Watts and her daughters were killed inside their home. Chris Watts will be held without bond until his next court appearance Tuesday. https://t.co/518wFwSXC8
— Blair Miller (@blairmiller) August 16, 2018
Although Shanann’s body was located on property owned by Anadarko Petroleum, where her husband worked, the prosecution team revealed during the court hearing that the crime was likely committed at the couple’s residence, The Denver Channel reported.
Authorities recovered the pregnant 34-year-old’s body earlier Thursday. Town officials said the two other bodies “were found in close proximinity to the other body whom officers strongly believe is Shanann’s.”
#ShanannWattsInvestigation Update 2 of 3: While we will not disclose the location as to where these bodies were located, police can say that they were found in close proximity to the other body whom officers strongly believe is Shanann’s.
— Town of Frederick (@TownofFrederick) August 17, 2018
Shanann and her two daughters were reported missing on Monday after they didn’t show for a doctor’s appointment and the mother failed to answer her phone. Police were notified by one of the woman’s friends and later conducted a welfare check, during which they recovered her cell phone, purse and keys.
Breaking: Chris Watts has confessed to killing his pregnant wife Shannan and two kids, says Shennan Watts’ brother and a person familiar with the search. pic.twitter.com/I8N5JuAS5X
— Matt Mauro (@mattmauronews) August 16, 2018
Early Thursday morning, officials in Frederick tweeted that the woman’s husband was arrested and being held in the Weld County Jail.
