Convicted murderer Chris Watts, who is serving life sentences for the 2018 murders of his pregnant wife and two daughters, is reportedly seeking to marry a woman he met while incarcerated. Watts, 41, is currently held at the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, Wisconsin, where he has recently formed a relationship with 39-year-old Lizzie Henderson, a realtor from Cleveland.
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It has come to light that Watts and Henderson have submitted an application to marry within the prison system. Reports indicate that Henderson has also taken steps to change her name to Lizzie Watts, reflecting her intentions to solidify their relationship. Details regarding the name change application have been filed under confidentiality, making specific information difficult to ascertain.
Since relocating to Wisconsin from Ohio, Henderson has frequently visited Watts at the maximum-security facility. She confirmed her relationship with him, acknowledging that while some may view their connection as unusual, the specifics of their meeting remain private. Henderson has indicated that their bond is something sacred, expressed as being between “me, him, and God.”
The crimes for which Watts was convicted have been harrowing. On August 13, 2018, he admitted to strangling his wife, Shanann, in their home before disposing of her body at an oil site where he was employed. He subsequently smothered their daughters, Bella, aged four, and Celeste, aged three. After pleading guilty to the trio of murders, Watts was sentenced to five life terms without the possibility of parole. The catalyst for these tragic events was linked to an extramarital affair with a coworker, which Watts had not disclosed to Shanann.
In the lead-up to the murders, Shanann had expressed growing concerns about their marriage to a friend but, tragically, she never suspected any imminent danger. Henderson has acknowledged the severity of his actions, stating, “How I feel about it? He knows. He knows how I feel. […] It’s something harsh for anyone to experience.” Despite the abhorrence surrounding Watts’ crimes, numerous women have shown interest in him during his time in prison.
Closer to two years post-conviction, Watts was reported to have corresponded with several women, many drawn to him under the impression of compassion or physical attraction. Some sources suggested that after the 2020 release of a Netflix documentary detailing his case, ‘American Murder: The Family Next Door,’ he received an increase in mail from admirers. According to insiders, this correspondence has included “racy” exchanges, with some women sending suggestive photographs.
Prison regulations permit inmates to communicate with the outside world, provided it poses no threat to safety, although explicit pornography is prohibited. Nevertheless, suggestive images remain permissible. Sources close to Watts indicated that the letters he receives are a vital source of connection for him, particularly given his status in protective custody, where he is reportedly not well-liked by other inmates.
While it remains unclear what Watts’s motivations are for engaging in these letter exchanges, he reportedly finds the connections important, as they serve as a primary outlet while incarcerated. An insider remarked, “He’s got nothing else to do, so he feeds his ego in that way.”
The ongoing public fascination with Watts and his crimes fuels the debate over the morality of relationships formed by inmates with the outside world. The situation raises questions not only about the psychology of those who are drawn to convicted criminals but also about the nature of love, rehabilitation, and forgiveness in extreme circumstances.
As the story continues to unfold, Watts is now facing the potential complexity of a union behind bars, which will undoubtedly spark further discussions regarding the ethical implications of such relationships for both parties involved.