Gruesome Autopsy Results In Killer Dad Chris Watts' Case Ordered To Be Sealed
Jul. 13 2019, Updated 12:13 a.m. ET
Autopsy results in Chris Watts' case will not be made public, after a judge ruled they should be sealed in order to ensure a fair trial, RadarOnline.com exclusively learned.
The autopsy of Chris’ wife, Shanann — whom he admitted to strangling — and their two daughters, Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3, will only be shared with prosecution and defense lawyers after it was deemed they could bias a jury when he stands trial.
The autopsies are seen as key evidence because Chris claimed that he witnessed Shanann strangling their daughters, which is why he allegedly killed her in a rage.
His defense team asked for the medical examiner to try and obtain DNA evidence or potential marks on his daughters’ necks —evidence they believe could connect her to their killings.
Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke has fought for the autopsy documents to be kept from the public, due to the fact it could taint witnesses and/or future jurors. On Sept 21st, the court ordered, “Until further order of the court the parties and the Weld County Coroner shall treat these reports as confidential and not a public document.”
On Sept 26th the court wrote it would schedule a hearing on the question of releasing the reports to the public.
Now RadarOnline.com has confirmed that the autopsy results have been completed but a source in the Weld County DA’s office told RadarOnline.com: “That will not be a public document.”
Judge Marcelo Kopcow ordered the autopsy reports be turned over to the defense.
According to court records obtained by RadarOnline.com, “The People are in receipt of the autopsy reports of Shanaan, Bella and Celeste Watts and The People have provided said documentation to the Defendant, via the discovery process.”
On August 20th, Christopher Watts was charged with five counts of murder in the first degree, one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy in the first degree and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body.
Chris was taken into custody on August 15, days after Shanaan and the two girls were reported missing. Police found Shanann’s body in a mock grave, allegedly made by Watts, on the property of Anardarko Petroleum where he worked. Hours later, police found the bodies of their two children who were found in oil tanks nearby where Shanann was buried.
Chris will continue to be held without bond after he waived his rights to a preliminary hearing. His status conference was set for Monday, Nov. 19 at 10:30 a.m.
We pay for juicy info! Do you have a story for RadarOnline.com? Email us at tips@radaronline.com, or call us at (866) ON-RADAR (667-2327) any time, day or night.
For the biggest celebrity news stories of the day, controversies, crime, and other hot topics listen to our new podcast ‘All Rise’ below!