DENVER—Lawyers for the parents of a Colorado woman killed by her husband say he did so after she threatened to keep him from seeing their children because he wanted a divorce.
Lawyer Thomas Grant, who represents Shannan Watts’ parents, Frank, and Sandy Rzucek, said on the “Dr. Phil” show Tuesday that Chris Watts spoke to investigators about why he killed his wife and two daughters after finding God.
Attorney Steven Lambert said Watts’ 4-year-old daughter walked in as Watts was wrapping up his wife’s body in a blanket.
Watts grew upset and strangled his wife to death. While doing so, Bella walked into the room and asked, “What are you doing with mommy?”
Watts responded, “Mommy is sick and we need to take her to the hospital to make her better.”
He then drove his family to the oil field and killed his daughters before stashing their bodies in an oil tank where officials later found them submerged. His wife was buried nearby.
Choked Daughter
Prosecutors previously said that Bella fought for her life as Chris Watts strangled her to death.“Imagine the horror in Bella’s mind as her father took her last breaths away,” Rourke added.
The county coroner found blunt force trauma on the girl’s jaw, and lacerations, and contusions in her mouth. The autopsy also found teeth impressions and superficial bite marks on the surface of her tongue.
“He had a desire for a fresh start, to begin a new relationship with a new love,” Rourke said.
Grant said Sandy Rzucek was briefed on the interview but hasn’t heard the recording.
The lawyers declined to comment to The Associated Press.
