THE man accused of murdering his family claimed he killed his pregnant wife after seeing her strangling one of his daughters.
Chris Watts, 33, told police he flew into a murderous rage after seeingShanann Watts throttling daughter Celeste on a baby monitor.
12
Shanann, 34, was found dead last week along with her daughters Bella, four, and Celeste, three, after the trio disappeared in Frederick, Colorado.
Watts faces nine charges including three counts of first-degree murder and one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy.
According to an arrest affidavit, he told cops he reacted to seeing his wife with her hands around Celeste's throat and "observed Bella 'sprawled' out on her bed and blue and Shanann actively strangling Celeste."
"Chris said he went into a rage and ultimately strangled Shanann to death.
"Chris said he loaded all three bodies onto the back seat of his work truck and took them to an oil work site,' added the affidavit.
We revealed earlier how Shannan reportedly told pals she feared her "killer" husband was cheating just days before being found dead.
The Watts family murder - what is known so far:
- The bodies of Shanann and her kids were found dumped inside oil tanks at Chris Watts' workplace
- Investigators say they were killed at the family home before their bodies were moved
- Shanann had just landed a glamorous new job which kept her away from home
- Pals say the mum shared her fears Chris was cheating on her days before her death
- The couple once filed for bankruptcy and were facing a hefty fine in court next week
- Chris Watts made an emotional appeal for his missing wife and kids to come home
- After the appeal, cops reportedly announced he had confessed to killing his family
12
12
Shanann Watts' father emotional statement to the press after Christopher Watts charged with murder
Shanann's dadthanked members of the public for helping in the arrest of his son-in-law.
Grief-stricken Frank Rzucek, 55, said on Monday: "I’d like to thank everyone in the Frederick Police Department and all the agencies involved for working so hard to find my daughter, granddaughters and Nico,' Ruczek, 55, said between sobs.
"I’d like to thank everyone for coming to the candlelight vigil and saying all your prayers. They are gratefully appreciated — and keep the prayers coming for our family."
Rzucek’s son Frankie, 32, also appeared at the press conference but did not speak.
12
12
12
12
Murder suspect Chris Watts' wife posted loving video saying 'he's best thing that ever happened to me'
Family friends Nicholas and Amanda Thayer say Shanann feared her husband was cheating.
And Amanda Thayer, whose daughter played with the two young girls, said Shanann suspected Chris of infidelity.
She told Denver7: "It came to her mind that possibly he could be cheating.
"It's all up in the air."
Her husband Nicholas also revealed the wife and children had recently been on a six-week trip to see family, leaving the husband behind.
And it emerged recently howShanann's daughters had wrapped a three-foot plastic doll in the mat from the party game Twister.
She posted a sinister photo online last week.
12
Another friend, who spoke anonymously toPeople, made a similar claim, saying the pair were having marital problems and she was preparing to leave him.
Investigators currently believe the three were killed in the family home, before the two children were dumped in oil tanks at theAnadarko oil and gas exploration site whereChrisworked inFrederick.
Another body, believed to be their 15-week pregnant mother, was also found nearby.
A motion filed by Watts' defence team suggests the girls were strangled.
12
Murdered toddler, Bella Watts sings to her daddy, Chris Watts
Earlier reports claimed Watts hadadmitted to the killings just hours after appearing on TVappealing for his family to come home.
But the defence motion also requested DNA swabs be carried out on the children's necks, suggesting he is not planning to plead guilty.
No formal charges or pleas have yet been made public.
The judge refused the motion, saying he would not tell examiners how to do their jobs.
12
The autopsy was carried out on Friday, a day after the bodies were found, but the official causes of death have not been released.
A memorial is growing outside the Watts' home.
Flowers, photos and toys have been left among the emotional tributes.
The murder is believed to have happened on the eve of thecouple’s gender reveal party for their unborn child.
12
MOST READ IN NEWS
SAVAGE ATTACK Baby girl ‘critical’ after being mauled by dog at her home
MUNITIONS BLAST Explosion rocks weapons factory in Wales run by Europe's biggest contractor
CREEP DEAD Shannon Matthews' kidnapper Michael Donovan dies from cancer in hospital
DON'T BUY I'm a vet... there are five dog breeds I'd never buy - they'll get you in trouble
Shanann is believed to have sufferedfrom lupus, an illness that makes pregnancies much higher-risk.
Moving text messages from mid-June suggested a happy family, and a husband thrilled at the prospect of having another child.
"Little Peanut!! Love her/him already!!!", Watts wrote after his wife sent him an ultrasound image.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us attips@the-sun.co.ukor call 0207 782 4368. You canWhatsAppus on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Clickhereto upload yours.
