Chris Watts’ Parents Ronnie and Cindy Don’t Think He’s Guilty of Murdering Wife and Kids Despite Plea

It’s been nearly three years since Chris Watts pleaded guilty to murdering his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, and their two daughters Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3, but his family still isn’t convinced he’s a killer.

Chris’ Parents Don’t Believe He Is Guilty

Following their son’s admission, Ronnie and Cindy Watts protected Chris’ innocence, claiming his lawyer talked him into confessing to a crime with mounting evidence against him — whether he committed those acts or not.

“I asked Chris, ‘If you did not do this, do not confess to something you didn’t do,'” Cindy told ABC7 at the time. “(His defense attorney) shut me down. She completely shut me down.” His father, Ronnie, chimed in adding, “If he didn’t kill the children, I want him to face that and let them prove it.”

Cindy insisted her son is not a “sociopath” and justice had not been served. “To me, all they wanted to do was save his life, just save his life. Save his life and life in prison — to me, there’s no difference. He’s going to die in prison. I just want him to fight. I don’t want him to take this plea deal. I want him to plead not guilty to the children,” she said.

Chris’ Sister Has Yet to Speak Out

While Chris’ parents have been vocal about their son, his sister, Jamie Lyn Williams, remains silent. Those invested in the case have wondered why she has yet to speak out.

“Where the hell is she in all this? Estranged from the family? I just find it odd that she’s been totally MIA in this investigation,” one reddit user questioned. Another added, “I wish the sister would talk, maybe she can give some insight as to why her brother is a lunatic and as to why he wouldn’t just divorce her, screw his tramp on the side and move on.”

Watts and his then-coworker, Nichol Kessinger, began having an affair in June 2018, two months before the slayings. In 2019, Watts told author Cherlyn Cadle, who penned her explosive book Letters from Christopher, “If I had not met Nikki, I would never have killed my family.”

The Colorado native allegedly tried to cause Shanann to miscarry their son Nico, giving her the powerful painkiller Oxycodone, after Nichol told Watts she wanted to “give him his first son.”

In March 2021, it was revealed that the pair were still in contact while he serves five life sentences at the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, Wisconsin.

His Neighbor Reveals Details

In 2019, Chris’ neighbor spoke out about what he saw the night Chris allegedly murdered his family. Nathan Trinastich said he was acting “strange” on surveillance footage in Oxygen’s documentary Criminal Confessions.

“I definitely was watching Chris’ body language, and at that point in time, he definitely could have been freaking out because his wife was gone and his children were gone, but I just personally thought the way he was acting was a little strange,” he said.

Ronnie and Cindy Forgive Him

After Chris admitted to the murders, Ronnie and Cindy each gave statements to the court.

“We are not here to ask for leniency and are not in any way condoning or tolerating the crime that has occurred or the pain that has been caused … ” their attorney read.

During her son’s trial, Cindy added, “I have always loved you and I still do. We love you and forgive you, son.”

As for Ronnie, he said that he forgave his son for his actions too. “The Bible says if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us,” he said. “Chris, I forgive you, and your sister forgives you and we will never abandon you.”