Newly surfaced messages reveal just how strained Shanann and Chris Watts’ relationship had become in the weeks before the Colorado father killed his family.
Shanann was murdered by her husband Chris in August 2018 while she was 15 weeks pregnant with their third child. Chris also killed their daughters, Bella, four, and Celeste, three.
In the lead-up to early August 2018, Shanann had reportedly been planning a gender reveal celebration and had charged items such as a cake, flowers, and other party supplies to her credit card.
The party was later called off after Chris told Shanann he did not want another child.
After the celebrations were canceled, Shanann asked Chris for a divorce. Days later, Chris strangled Shanann and suffocated their two young daughters.
Texts Shanann sent to a friend paint a bleak picture of the situation at home, as she shared concerns about where their marriage stood.
According to messages obtained by Daily Mail, she wrote: “Chris told me last night he’s scared to death about this third baby and he’s happy with just Bella and Celeste and doesn’t want another baby.
“He said we’re not compatible anymore. He refused to hug me after he said he will try to ‘work it out.'”
In another message, she added: “I grabbed his hand during ultrasound and he didn’t grab back.”
It’s reported that Shanann’s friend Nicki Atkinson was the only person who knew the baby’s gender at the time, after being asked to prepare a balloon filled with pink or blue confetti for the reveal.
Had the gathering gone ahead, Shanann would have learned she was expecting a boy, surrounded by friends and family.
After the plans were scrapped, Shanann sent another update describing how overwhelmed she felt. She wrote: “I haven’t slept most of the week. My eyes burn from crying so much.
“I canceled gender reveal. Nicki is going to tell me [the baby’s gender] today. I need happy news today.”
She then added: “This baby in my belly deserves his full love either way,”
Chris was later charged over the deaths of Shanann, their unborn son, and their two daughters.
He pleaded guilty on November 6, 2018, and is serving a life sentence.
Chris, who admitted he had been having an affair, avoided the death penalty by accepting a plea deal with prosecutors.
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