The Perfect Father: The True Story of Chris Watts, His All-American Family, and a Shocking Murder
The Perfect Father: The True Story of Chris Watts, His All-American Family, and a Shocking Murder is a nonfiction book by John Glatt, a renowned true crime author. The book delves into the horrifying case of Chris Watts, a Colorado man who murdered his pregnant wife, Shanann, and their two young daughters, Bella and Celeste, in 2018. Here’s a summary and key details:
Overview of the Book
- Author: John Glatt
- Genre: True Crime
- Published: July 21, 2020
- Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
This book meticulously reconstructs the events leading up to the murders, the crimes themselves, and the aftermath. Glatt explores the illusion of a perfect family and marriage that Chris and Shanann Watts presented to the outside world while uncovering the tensions, financial struggles, and Chris’s secret affair that led to the tragic unraveling of their lives.
- Glatt, John (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 320 Pages - 03/30/2021 (Publication Date) - St. Martin's...
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- 204 Pages
- 6 x 8.5 inches
- Pre-printed, Acid-free Paper
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- John Cormier (Actor)
- Daniel McLeod (Director) - Daniel McLeod (Producer)
- English (Playback Language)
- English (Subtitle)
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- --- (Director) - Vision Quest Video (Producer)
- English (Playback Language)
- English (Subtitle)
Key Themes
- Facade of Perfection: The book shows how social media played a role in masking the real dynamics of the Watts family.
- Psychological Complexity: Glatt examines Chris Watts’s personality, including his transformation from a seemingly devoted husband and father to a cold-blooded killer.
- Impact on the Community: The murders shocked the tight-knit Frederick, Colorado community, and the case gained widespread media attention.
- Justice and Confession: The book covers Chris Watts’s eventual confession and sentencing to life in prison without parole.
What Makes It Unique?
John Glatt combines in-depth research, interviews, and analysis to provide a detailed account of the case. His writing is both gripping and empathetic, offering insight into the psychology of a murderer and the ripple effects of his actions.
Who Is It For?
- Fans of true crime.
- Readers interested in psychological analysis and the darker side of human behavior.
- Anyone curious about the role of social media in shaping perceptions of “perfect” lives.
If you’d like, I can provide more details about the book, comparisons to other true crime stories, or even a discussion of Chris Watts’s case.
Who is Chris Watts? Accused of murdering wife and daughters offers up vile excuse
Chris Watts is a convicted murderer who gained national infamy in 2018 for killing his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, and their two daughters, Bella (4) and Celeste (3), in Frederick, Colorado. The case shocked the public due to its brutality, the facade of a perfect family life on social media, and Chris’s chilling behavior before and after the murders.
The Murders
On August 13, 2018, Chris Watts killed:
- Shanann Watts, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their unborn son, Nico.
- Their daughters, Bella and Celeste.
Chris initially claimed Shanann had strangled the children in a fit of rage, and he killed her in retaliation. This vile excuse was quickly disproven. Evidence showed that Chris murdered all three victims, disposing of the children’s bodies in oil tanks and burying Shanann in a shallow grave at his worksite.
Chris Watts’s Excuses and Lies
- Initial Denials: Chris played the grieving husband, pleading on TV for his family’s safe return.
- Blaming Shanann: After his arrest, Chris told investigators that Shanann had killed the children and he retaliated by killing her.
- Confession: He later confessed to killing Shanann during an argument and admitted to smothering his daughters.
Chris’s shifting stories and cold demeanor during interviews further shocked the public.
The Real Motive
- Affair: Chris was having an affair with a coworker, Nichol Kessinger, at the time of the murders.
- Desire to Escape: Prosecutors argued that Chris killed his family to start a new life with Kessinger.
- Financial Strain: The Watts family was facing bankruptcy, which added stress to their marriage.
Conviction and Sentence
- In November 2018, Chris Watts pleaded guilty to all charges, avoiding the death penalty in exchange for life in prison without parole.
Public Reaction
The Watts case drew immense media attention because of:
- The perceived perfection of the Watts family’s life on social media.
- Chris’s calm and deceptive behavior during the initial search for his family.
- The sheer brutality and senselessness of the murders.
Would you like to explore more about this case, such as its media coverage, Shanann’s legacy, or the psychological analysis of Chris Watts?
The Perfect Father: The True Story of Chris Watts, His All-American Family, and a Shocking Murder