Shanann Rzucek never imagined that a random friend request would lead her to love, but that’s exactly what happened. Two years after connecting online, she married Chris Watts and left her home in North Carolina to start a new life with him in Colorado.

Shortly after celebrating their first wedding anniversary, the couple welcomed their first child, Bella. Two years later, Bella became a big sister when Celeste was born. Despite facing financial challenges, the family was elated to discover Shanann was expecting a boy. They shared this joyful news with Shanann’s parents during a summer trip to North Carolina.

During Shanann’s extended stay in North Carolina with their daughters, Chris Watts began an affair with Nichol Kessinger, a colleague. Just a week after Shanann’s departure, Chris and Nichol went on their first date. Chris misled Nichol by claiming he was in the midst of a divorce, and their relationship quickly intensified. Nichol was even browsing wedding dresses.

In an unexpected twist, Cheryln Cadle, a grandmother with a background in writing short true crime articles, felt compelled to write to Chris Watts, who was serving life sentences for the horrific murders of his pregnant wife and daughters. Her intent was to write a book that delved into his story.

To Cadle’s surprise, Watts responded to her letter, despite receiving numerous letters from others. When they met at the prison, Watts refused to verbally discuss the murders but agreed to communicate through letters about the events of August 13th, revealing his side of the story.

Cadle is surprised to receive a letter back, knowing Watts receives hundreds of letters. When Cadle meets with Watts behind bars, he says he will not speak to her about the murders—but he will write letters about what really happened on August 13th.

Watts writes to Cadle that he “never would have killed his family” if he hadn’t met Nikki, his Anadarko co-worker, Nichol Kessinger. Cadle says Watts was ‘mesmerized’ by Kessinger and felt she gave him a respect Shanann never did. Watts writes as his relationship with Kessinger grew, he actually contemplated killing his family for weeks.

Even before his homicidal daydreams, Watts tries to end Shanann’s pregnancy by giving her oxycodone, because Nikki tells him she wanted to give him his first son.

Watts addresses some of his letters to Shanann and the girls directly, discussing how badly it hurts that they’re gone. Watts often refers to them in the present tense, and Cadle observes Watts acts more like they died in an accident than that he murdered them.

Cadle also notices Watts never once apologizes to them for what happened. Confronted with that omission, Watts tells Cadle he didn’t realize he never expressed his remorse and says he is sorry.

Cadle says the few times Watts discusses the murders with her in person, his eyes turn almost black.

Joining Nancy Grace today:

Cheryln Cadle – CC Publishing, Author of “The Murders of Christopher Watts” and “The Many Faces of Christopher Watts: A 5-year Update”

“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” on Fox Nation is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.

[Feature Photo: Watts family/Facebook]