Chris Watts, Colorado man who killed pregnant wife and daughters, moved to prison out of state: Officials

Chris Watts was sentenced last month to life without parole.

December 4, 2018, 10:21 AM

The Colorado man convicted of killing his pregnant wife and two young daughters has been moved to a prison out of state, according to the Colorado Department of Corrections.

Chris Watts was sentenced last month to life without parole for the murders of his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, 34, and their daughters Celeste, 3 and Bella, 4.

"We will not disclose his location for safety and security reasons," Colorado Department of Corrections spokesman Mark Fairbairn told ABC News via email on Tuesday.

"The victims and District Attorney have been notified," Fairbairn added.

PHOTO: Chris Watts arrives in court in Colorado for his sentencing on Nov. 19, 2018.
Chris Watts arrives in court in Colorado for his sentencing on Nov. 19, 2018.
ABC News

Chris Watts had pleaded guilty to all charges again him, and in exchange, prosecutors did not pursue the death penalty, the Weld County District Attorney's office said. The victims' family agreed to those terms.

At his sentencing this month, prosecutors said both daughters died from smothering.

"Imagine the horror in Bella's mind as her father took her last breaths away," Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke said at sentencing, adding that "Bella fought back for her life."

PHOTO: Shanann Watts, 34, and her two daughters ages 3 and 4 were killed in Frederick, Colo.
Shanann Watts, 34, and her two daughters ages 3 and 4 are missing in Frederick, Colo.
Town of Frederick, CO

Shanann's father, Frank Rzucek, at sentencing said Chris Watts "carried them out like trash."

"I trusted you to take care of them, not kill them," said Rzucek. "You disgust me."

PHOTO: Chris Watts appears in court in Colorado for his sentencing on Nov. 19, 2018.
Chris Watts appears in court in Colorado for his sentencing on Nov. 19, 2018.
ABC News

In August, right after the killings, Chris Watts spoke out to reporters, saying his wife and daughters disappeared without a trace, leaving her purse and keys at home.

PHOTO: Shanann Watts, 34, and her two daughters ages 3 and 4 were killed in Frederick, Colo.
Shanann Watts, 34, and her two daughters ages 3 and 4 are missing in Frederick, Colo.
Town of Frederick, CO

"My kids are my life," he told ABC Denver affiliate KMGH. "I mean, those smiles light up my life."

"When I came home and then walked in the house, nothing. Vanished. Nothing was here," he said.

Within days of the disappearance, Chris Watts was arrested and the bodies of his wife and children were found.

PHOTO: Christopher Watts is accused of killing his wife and two daughters in Colorado.  Watt's pregnant wife, 34-year-old Shanann Watts, and their two daughters, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste were reported missing on Aug. 13, 2018.
Christopher Watts is accused of killing his wife and two daughters in Colorado. Watt's pregnant wife, 34-year-old Shanann Watts, and their two daughters, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste were reported missing on Aug. 13, 2018.
Weld County Sheriff's Office via AP

Chris Watts declined to speak at his sentencing but his attorney, Kathryn Harrold, said her client is "devastated" and "is sincerely sorry for all of this."

Prosecutors claim his "desire for a fresh start" to begin a new relationship was a motive for the crimes.

At the time of the killings, Chris Watts was dating another woman, 30-year-old Nichol Kessinger, she told The Denver Post.