CHRIS WATTS’ REPORTED PRISON ROMANCE SPARKS FRESH OUTRAGE – “HE’S GETTING MARRIED?”

Eight years after the murders that shocked America, Chris Watts is once again drawing intense public attention. Reports say the convicted family killer has applied to marry a woman he met while incarcerated — despite serving multiple life sentences without parole.

A PRISON ROMANCE NO ONE EXPECTED

Watts is serving multiple life sentences at Dodge Correctional Institution in Wisconsin for the 2018 murders of his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, and their daughters, Bella and Celeste.

Now, according to PEOPLE and other reports, Watts has reportedly applied to marry Lizzie Henderson, a 39-year-old woman who relocated to Wisconsin to be closer to him.

Henderson has confirmed that the two are in a relationship, while reportedly declining to explain publicly how their relationship began.

SHE MOVED CLOSER TO THE PRISON

Reports say Henderson has visited Watts numerous times and has relocated to Wisconsin.

PEOPLE reports that she has also sought a confidential legal name change and has reportedly begun using the surname Watts.

The reported relationship has drawn strong reactions, particularly because Watts’ crimes involved the killing of his own pregnant wife and two young children.

A MARRIAGE WOULD NOT MEAN FREEDOM

One important detail is easy to overlook:

Marriage would not change Watts’ sentence.

He remains incarcerated under multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole. Any marriage would therefore take place while he remains behind prison walls.

The reported application is also not the same thing as a completed prison wedding. Approval from the relevant prison authorities would still be required.

WHY THE STORY HAS CAUSED SUCH A REACTION

Watts has attracted romantic attention from women since his incarceration.

According to PEOPLE, he has received correspondence from women and maintained relationships through prison communications.

That phenomenon has repeatedly raised questions about why some people develop romantic attachments to notorious offenders.

But for the Watts family and those who remember the 2018 murders, the reported marriage plans inevitably bring the tragedy back into the spotlight.

 Shanann was pregnant.

Bella and Celeste were only young children.

Watts pleaded guilty and received multiple life sentences.

 Now, eight years later, he reportedly wants to marry again.

The question dividing the public is no longer about whether Watts will ever leave prison.

He won’t, under his current sentence.

Instead, it is this:

Should someone serving life without parole have the right to marry — and what does that marriage mean when the person can never leave prison?

This post summarizes recent reporting from PEOPLE and other outlets. The reported marriage application should not be treated as confirmation that a wedding has been approved or completed.