The brutal murders of Shanann Watts and her two young daughters in August 2018 shocked the nation, and as investigators pieced together the horrific crime, all eyes turned to Chris Watts’ mistress, Nichol Kessinger. Kessinger, who had been romantically involved with Watts in the weeks leading up to the killings, was soon questioned by authorities. During police interrogations, she broke down in tears as she distanced herself from the horrific crime, claiming she had no idea that Watts was planning to murder his family.
A Secret Affair That Became a National Scandal
Nichol Kessinger met Chris Watts at work, and their relationship quickly escalated. While Watts painted himself as a man stuck in an unhappy marriage, Kessinger later told police that she had no idea he was still living with his wife, Shanann, or that she was pregnant with their third child. She claimed that Watts told her he was in the process of getting a divorce and that their relationship was meant to be a fresh start for him.
However, investigators discovered that Watts had been leading a double life—texting Kessinger sweet nothings while planning the unthinkable: the murder of his entire family. Surveillance footage, deleted messages, and phone records painted a chilling picture of his growing obsession with Kessinger, leading many to believe that his desire to be with her played a major role in his motivation for the killings.
Breaking Down Under Interrogation
When police brought Kessinger in for questioning, she initially cooperated, handing over her phone and emails as part of the investigation. However, as detectives pressed her for details about their relationship, Kessinger reportedly broke down in tears, realizing the full extent of the crime.
“I would never have been with somebody like this if I had known,” she sobbed, insisting that she had no idea Watts was capable of such violence. She expressed shock and disgust over his actions, repeatedly telling detectives that she felt sick for ever being involved with him.
Despite her tearful breakdown, many have questioned just how much Kessinger knew before the murders took place. Some critics argue that her sudden disappearance from public life and her attempts to change her identity suggest that she may have been hiding more than she admitted. However, no evidence has ever been found linking her to the crime, and investigators treated her as a witness rather than a suspect.
The Aftermath and Public Scrutiny
After Watts’ confession and sentencing to life in prison, Kessinger vanished from the public eye. Reports suggest that she changed her name and relocated due to the immense backlash she faced. While she was never charged with any crime, she remains one of the most controversial figures in the case, with many people believing she played an indirect role in the tragic events.
Meanwhile, Chris Watts continues to serve his sentence, occasionally making headlines with claims of remorse and new prison relationships. But for those who followed the case closely, the disturbing reality remains the same—an innocent woman and her two little girls lost their lives, all because of one man’s selfish desire for a new beginning.
