Chris Watts Wedding Band: Where Is It Now?

In August 2018, Chris Watts murdered his pregnant wife, Shanann, and their two young daughters, Bella and Celeste. Wedding footage from years before the murders shows Watts 'rigidly' watching his wife as they exchanged vows. In the video, Watts appears uncomfortable, with his arms at his sides and a blank expression on his face. Body language expert Judi James found his behaviour alarming, suggesting that it could be a sign of an introverted personality. While Watts initially denied any involvement in his family's disappearance, he later confessed to killing them and was sentenced to multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Nichol Kessinger, Chris Watts' mistress

Nichol Kessinger was the mistress of Chris Watts, a father of two who murdered his pregnant wife and two young children in 2018. Kessinger, who worked with Watts, believed he was separated and in the process of getting divorced. The two began a physical relationship in July 2018, meeting up four to five times a week. Kessinger told police that Watts had told her he was living in the basement of the family home and that he and his wife had a "contractual agreement, not an emotional one". She also said that she never met his children and that she only went to his house twice for very brief visits.

Kessinger was shocked to discover that Watts was still married when his wife and children disappeared in August 2018. She confronted him about their whereabouts, to which he responded, "I didn't hurt my family, Nicky." This was the last time they spoke. Kessinger has since gone into hiding and may be in witness protection. She has also reportedly changed her name and moved to a new state.

In 2021, a former inmate of Watts claimed that Kessinger had been in regular correspondence with him, but this has not been confirmed.

Shanann Watts' wedding ring

The ring was large, with a big stone. It is speculated to have cost $12,000, though some sources claim it was bought online for a lesser amount. The ring was not to everyone's taste, with some people describing it as "ugly" and "gaudy".

Chris Watts was found guilty of murdering his wife and two children and is serving five life sentences.

Chris Watts' wedding video

Wedding footage of Chris Watts and his wife Shannan shows Watts "rigidly" watching his wife as they exchange wedding vows. Body language expert Judi James analysed the wedding footage and found Chris' behaviour alarming.

James said: "His participation signals are low here while his wife Shannan's are high. She looks comfortable actively showing her love for Chris and her enjoyment of her wedding day. She loops her arms round his neck and gazes up at his face adoringly and when they pose together for photos her hand on her hip is a splay gesture that signals confidence and happiness.

"Chris, however, seems to show signs of looking less comfortable in his own skin. While they stand together, his arms are down at his sides, and his facial expression looks politely blank. He does gaze into Shannan's eyes during their dance but he otherwise seems uncomfortable making eye contact with the camera or his wife. She shows every sign of having wedding day fun but he looks less able to join in."

In the last photo, Shannan dances, bends, and smiles for the camera, while Watts stands rigidly watching her, staring at her with an unsmiling expression and with his hands balled into fists.

James added: "The introvert behaviours, though, could easily pass for shyness. He is referred to as a 'good guy' in her life and his quieter nature could have been mistaken for trustworthiness and reliability. People use the expression 'opposites attract,' and it might have been felt that his introversion allowed her to be outgoing, happy, and free. Love can make even the worst qualities look like admirable traits because we want to feel we are loving the right person."

Chris Watts' polygraph test

On 15 August 2018, Chris Watts took a polygraph test after his wife, Shanann Watts, and their two daughters, Bella and Celeste, disappeared. The test was conducted by CBI agent Tammy Lee.

Watts was asked "if he physically caused Shanann to disappear", "if he was lying about the last time he saw her", and "whether he knew where Shanann was". He answered "no" to all three questions, but the polygraph indicated that he was lying. A score of -4 is considered failing a polygraph, and Watts scored a -18.

After being informed that he had failed the test, Watts asked to speak to his father, Ronnie Watts, and confessed to killing his wife. He was still adamant that he didn't hurt his daughters, but the test got investigators much closer to the full truth.

Watts eventually confessed to murdering his entire family and dumping their remains in an industrial oil field, where authorities later found their bodies. He is now serving five life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Chris Watts' confession

Chris Watts' wedding band was found on the bedside table during the search of his home after he murdered his wife, Shanann, and their two children, Bella and Celeste. Watts, an American oil field operator, murdered his pregnant wife and their two young daughters in August 2018.

On August 13, 2018, Shanann, who was 15 weeks pregnant, was driven home by her friend and colleague Nickole Utoft Atkinson after a business trip. Later that day, Shanann and the girls were reported missing by Atkinson, who became concerned when Shanann missed a scheduled appointment and failed to respond to text messages. A welfare check was conducted, and during the check, Watts gave the police officer permission to search the house, where the family dog was found unharmed, but there was no sign of Shanann or the girls.

On August 15, 2018, Watts confessed to killing his wife, Shanann, but falsely claimed that he did so because she had smothered their daughters. He was arrested that day. It was not until November 2018, after his conviction, that Watts admitted to killing all three.

On November 6, 2018, Watts pleaded guilty to multiple counts of first-degree murder as part of a plea deal. He was sentenced to five life sentences without the possibility of parole, with three to be served consecutively.

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