Unmasking The Enigma: Chris Watts' Girlfriends And The Tragic Story Behind The Photos
The name Chris Watts is synonymous with one of the most chilling family annihilations in recent American history. In August 2018, Watts murdered his pregnant wife, Shanann, and their two young daughters, Bella and Celeste, sending shockwaves across the nation. While the horrific details of his crimes are well-documented, public fascination often gravitates towards the catalyst that many believe pushed him to commit such unspeakable acts: his extramarital affair. At the heart of this narrative is Nichol Kessinger, the woman Chris Watts was secretly dating, whose existence brought a disturbing new layer to an already tragic story. This article delves into her role, the infamous "girlfriend pics," and the lingering questions surrounding her involvement and Watts's twisted affections.
Nichol Kessinger: The Woman at the Center of the Storm
How Their Paths Crossed
Nichol Kessinger was a co-worker of Chris Watts at Anadarko Petroleum in Colorado. Their relationship began in May or June of 2018, just a few months before Watts committed the murders. When Nichol and Chris Watts started dating in June 2018, sparks reportedly flew immediately. Watts, presenting himself as a soft-spoken man and a thoughtful father, led Nichol to believe he was at the end of his marriage. Nichol Kessinger herself claimed she didn't know Chris Watts was married when they began their adulterous affair. Watts allegedly told his mistress that she showed him more respect than his wife, a manipulative tactic to draw her closer while he was living a double life.
The Infamous "Bikini Pics" and Their Significance
The phrase "Chris Watts girlfriend pics" immediately brings to mind images of Nichol Kessinger, particularly those taken by Watts himself. Nicole Kessinger, Chris Watts' mistress, is shown posing for him while he takes photographs of her in a bikini. These images, seemingly innocuous on their own, take on a chilling significance when viewed through the lens of the unfolding tragedy. They served as tangible evidence of the illicit affair, a stark contrast to the family photos Watts was simultaneously taking of his unsuspecting wife and daughters. The images of Nichol Kessinger in a bikini, snapped by Watts, symbolize his desperate desire for a new life, free from his family obligations. It's speculated that Chris Watts killed Shanann Watts because he wanted to end his marriage and pursue a new relationship with someone he had become infatuated with – Nichol. These photos, therefore, are not just snapshots of a relationship, but disturbing artifacts of a man planning to dismantle his entire life, no matter the cost.
In a particularly haunting detail, Chris Watts' young daughters Bella and Celeste are seen smiling for their mother in the last photo that was ever taken of the girls. The images were snapped by their killer dad on his phone, creating a stark and tragic juxtaposition with the images he was taking of Nichol.
The Affair's Escalation and the Tragic Aftermath
Nichol and Watts struck up a friendship, and then their relationship became romantic, with them beginning an affair in June 2018 – a mere two months before the murders. The timeline is critical: on August 13, 2018, Chris Watts murdered his pregnant wife, Shanann, and their two young daughters, Bella and Celeste. On August 18th, 2018, Chris Watts' wife, Shanann, and two young daughters Bella and Celeste, were reported missing from their Colorado home. This rapid escalation from affair to family annihilation underscores the intensity of Watts's desire to escape his current life, a desire he later attributed, in part, to his new relationship.
Nichol Kessinger's Role in the Investigation and Beyond
Cooperation with Authorities
Nichol Kessinger played a crucial role in Chris Watts' conviction. When Chris Watts' family went missing, Kessinger spent nearly four hours searching the internet for information on Watts and news accounts of Shanann's disappearance. This frantic search, coupled with her cooperation with the police, ultimately helped investigators piece together Watts's deceitful narrative. In a newly released police video, Nichol Kessinger shares the last texts she ever received from Watts, the now-convicted killer whom she was secretly dating. These communications provided vital evidence to the authorities, painting a clearer picture of the leadup to the murder of his wife, Shanann, and their two daughters.
Questions of Knowledge and Deception
Despite her cooperation, questions have always lingered about the extent of Nichol Kessinger's knowledge. She consistently maintained she knew nothing of his crimes, nor that he was married when they started dating. However, some speculate that Nichol Kessinger might have been more involved in the Watts family murders than she let on, or at least possessed "guilty knowledge" of the crime, whether by participation or by cover-up. It was also revealed that she deleted texts and photos, raising further suspicions, though she claimed this was done to protect herself after the truth emerged.
Netflix’s new documentary ‘American Murder’ tells the story of murderer Chris Watts who had an affair with girlfriend Nichol Kessinger. The documentary brought the case back into the public eye, reigniting discussions about Nichol's role and the lingering ambiguities.
Watts' Lingering Feelings and Blame
Perhaps one of the most unsettling revelations post-conviction came from Chris Watts himself. In 2019, Chris Watts contacted his pen pal Cheryln Cadle and told her that he still had feelings for Nichol. He even went on to say that he missed her. This bizarre admission from a convicted murderer, years after the fact, highlights a deeply disturbing psychological attachment. Furthermore, killer dad Chris Watts has reportedly blamed his former mistress for his decision to brutally murder his wife and two little girls, and only refers to her as “Jezebel.” This attempt to shift blame, while typical of such criminals, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative of his relationship with Nichol.
Where is Nichol Kessinger Now?
After the horrific events and her pivotal role in the investigation, Nichol Kessinger largely disappeared from the public eye. She was dating Chris Watts when he murdered his wife and children, and maintained she knew nothing of his crimes. The mistress who “softly spoken” father-of-two Chris Watts murdered his family to be with is back in touch with him, three years after changing her identity and disappearing, according to some reports, though her exact whereabouts remain unknown and she has largely succeeded in maintaining a low profile. Where is Nichol Kessinger now? She was featured in the Netflix documentary, and public interest in her fate remains high, but she has effectively vanished from public view.
Beyond Nichol: Other "Girlfriends" in Chris Watts' Life
While Nichol Kessinger remains the most prominent figure in the "Chris Watts girlfriend" narrative, it's worth noting that other women have entered his life, even in prison. Documents show that Anna Nowak, Chris Watts’s prison girlfriend, was turned away from Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, Wisconsin, after reaching the maximum number of visitors. Additionally, there's mention of two other women who now visit him in prison, highlighting a disturbing pattern of Watts's ability to form connections, even from behind bars. These relationships, though far removed from the tragic events of 2018, underscore the continued public and psychological fascination with the nature of Chris Watts's relationships and his capacity for manipulation.
Summary
The story of Chris Watts's girlfriends, particularly Nichol Kessinger, is inextricably linked to the horrific murders he committed. The "bikini pics" and other details of their affair serve as a chilling testament to Watts's double life and his ultimate motive for destroying his family. While Nichol Kessinger maintained her innocence regarding any knowledge of Watts's murderous intentions, her role in the investigation was crucial, and the public continues to debate the full extent of her awareness. Watts's lingering feelings for her and his subsequent attempts to blame her add further layers of psychological complexity to an already devastating case. The Chris Watts case remains a stark reminder of the dark consequences of deceit and the profound tragedy that can unfold when a desperate desire for a new life leads to unspeakable acts.
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