Updated: August 12, 2026
The Chris Watts case still unsettles people years later. On August 13, 2018, in Frederick, Colorado, Christopher Lee Watts murdered his pregnant wife Shanann and their two young daughters. The story of the children—Bella, Celeste, and the unborn son named Nico—remains one of the most painful parts of this tragedy. This post looks clearly at who they were, what happened, and why their short lives continue to matter.
Table of Contents
Who Were Chris Watts’ Children?
Bella Marie Watts, often called “Bells,” was born on December 17, 2013. She was four years old when she died. Her younger sister, Celeste Cathryn Watts, nicknamed “CeCe,” arrived on July 17, 2015, and was three. Shanann was 15 weeks pregnant with their third child, a boy the family planned to name Nico (sometimes spelled Niko).
From the outside, the Watts family looked typical. Shanann frequently shared videos and photos of everyday moments—the girls playing, singing, or spending time with their dad. Bella once recorded a sweet song calling her father a hero. Those images made the eventual crime even harder for the public to process.
Key facts about the children:
- Bella was the older sister and showed a strong will even in her final moments.
- Celeste was the energetic toddler often seen with her favorite blanket and stuffed animals.
- Nico never got the chance to be born; his death was ruled part of the same crime.
The Events of August 13, 2018
In the early morning hours, Chris Watts strangled Shanann at their home. According to his later statements, Bella walked in and asked what was wrong with her mother. He told the girls their mom was sick and needed to go to the hospital. He then loaded Shanann’s body and both daughters into his truck and drove to an oil site where he worked.
There, he smothered Celeste first with a blanket, then Bella. Bella reportedly pleaded, “Please Daddy, don’t do to me what you just did to CeCe.” He placed the girls’ bodies in separate crude oil tanks and buried Shanann nearby. The children were found days later still in their pajamas.
Chris initially claimed Shanann had killed the girls and that he had reacted in rage. He later admitted full responsibility. In November 2018 he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of first-degree murder and other charges. He received five life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus additional years for related crimes. He remains incarcerated with no chance of release.
Remembering Bella, Celeste, and Nico
The family is buried together at Bethesda Cemetery in Aberdeen, North Carolina. The headstone uses Shanann’s maiden name, Rzucek, and does not include the Watts surname. Friends and relatives have described Bella and Celeste as bright, affectionate children who were deeply loved by their mother and extended family.
Public interest has stayed high because the case involved such young victims and a complete betrayal of parental trust. Documentaries, news specials, and ongoing discussions continue to focus on the children rather than the perpetrator. Their ages—just four and three—make the loss feel especially sharp.
Here’s a clear summary of the key details:
| Name | Birth Date | Age at Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bella Marie Watts | Dec 17, 2013 | 4 | Older daughter, nicknamed Bells |
| Celeste Cathryn Watts | July 17, 2015 | 3 | Younger daughter, nicknamed CeCe |
| Nico (unborn) | Expected 2018 | — | Shanann was 15 weeks pregnant |
Why This Story Still Matters
Cases like this force hard questions about domestic violence, warning signs, and how quickly a family can be destroyed from within. Shanann had mentioned marital strain to a friend shortly before the murders. Chris had begun an affair. None of that justifies or explains the choice to kill two small children and an unborn baby.
The lasting impact comes from the children’s complete innocence. They trusted the person who ended their lives. That fact keeps the case in public memory long after the legal process ended.
Conclusion
Bella, Celeste, and Nico Watts never got the chance to grow up. Their names appear in true-crime coverage, court records, and memorials because what happened to them was both preventable and unforgivable. Chris Watts will spend the rest of his life in prison. The children, however, are remembered for the short, ordinary lives they lived—playing, singing, and being loved by their mother. That is the part of the story worth holding onto.