EIGHT YEARS LATER: CHRIS WATTS SEEKS TO MARRY A WOMAN HE MET BEHIND BARS
EIGHT YEARS LATER: CHRIS WATTS SEEKS TO MARRY A WOMAN HE MET BEHIND BARS
Eight years after Chris Watts murdered his pregnant wife and two young daughters, the convicted family killer is reportedly seeking to marry a new woman while serving multiple life sentences in a Wisconsin prison.
The reported relationship has stunned many people familiar with the case — not least because Watts will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
WHO IS THE WOMAN?
The woman has been identified as Lizzie Henderson, a 39-year-old former realtor from Ohio.
According to recent reports, Henderson moved to Wisconsin to be closer to Watts and has visited him repeatedly.
She has also reportedly applied for a confidential legal name change, with reports indicating she intends to use the surname Watts.
The couple has reportedly applied to marry through the prison system.
However, a reported application is not the same as an approved prison marriage.
WATTS IS STILL SERVING LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE
There is no possibility that marriage will change Watts’ sentence.
He remains incarcerated for the 2018 murders of his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, and their daughters, Bella and Celeste.
Watts ultimately pleaded guilty and received multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole.
His relationship with Henderson therefore exists entirely within the reality of a prison sentence that will keep him behind bars for the rest of his life.
THIS ISN’T THE FIRST TIME WOMEN HAVE CONTACTED HIM
Watts became the subject of intense fascination from women outside prison shortly after his conviction.
Over the years, he has reportedly received letters and developed relationships through correspondence.
His latest reported relationship is attracting renewed attention because Henderson appears to have taken the relationship much further, reportedly relocating and pursuing marriage.
A FAMILY WAS LEFT BEHIND
The renewed attention also brings the names of the victims back into the spotlight.
Shanann was pregnant with the couple’s son when she was killed.
Bella was four.
Celeste was three.
Watts initially attempted to portray himself publicly as a worried husband and father before eventually admitting responsibility for the killings.
For those who followed the case, the idea that Watts could now be planning a wedding has understandably produced a powerful emotional reaction.
BUT WHAT HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED?
This distinction matters.
Reports indicate that Watts and Henderson have sought permission to marry.
Reports also indicate that Henderson has pursued a confidential name change and has publicly acknowledged their relationship.
But there is currently no basis to describe them as legally married simply because an application has been made.
The reported prison marriage remains subject to the applicable approval process.
WHY IS THIS STORY SHOCKING SO MANY PEOPLE?
Because it forces an uncomfortable question:
How does someone convicted of destroying his own family go on to build a new romantic relationship from inside prison?
For Henderson, the relationship is apparently personal.
For many observers, however, it is difficult to separate the man she knows from the crimes that made his name internationally infamous.
And that tension is exactly why the story has generated so much attention.
A PRISON MARRIAGE HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN REQUESTED.
WATTS REMAINS SERVING MULTIPLE LIFE SENTENCES.
SHANANN, BELLA AND CELESTE ARE THE VICTIMS AT THE CENTER OF THE CASE.
THE REPORTED RELATIONSHIP HAS NOW BECOME THE NEW FOCUS OF PUBLIC ATTENTION.
Eight years after the murders, Chris Watts cannot leave prison.
But apparently, his life inside prison has entered another chapter.
And this time, it involves someone who says she wants to share that life with him.
Independent commentary based on current public reporting. The reported marriage application should not be confused with an approved or completed marriage.
