‘Not a monster’: Chris Watts’ parents defend son who murdered family

FAYETTEVILLE, NC (WTVD) — The parents of Christopher Lee Watts are sharing their story and defending their son a week after he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.

Chris, who grew up in Fayetteville, admitted to police he killed his 34-year-old wife, Shanann in a “fit of rage,” after he claimed he walked in to see his wife strangling their two daughters.

In a deal with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to all nine charges he was facing, including the first-degree murders of his wife and two daughters, 3-year-old Celeste and 4-year-old Bella, in exchange for avoiding the death penalty

Shanann is from Southern Pines.

“It was a very hard relationship,” said Cindy Watts, Chris’ mother. “It was a very hard relationship (with Shanann) as far as I’m concerned. I couldn’t do anything right.”