Camilla Jessen
Netflix’s gripping true crime documentary shocked millions — but key details that never made the final cut add even more disturbing depth to the case of Chris Watts and the family he destroyed.
On the surface, everything seemed perfect. A beautiful American family with two adorable daughters, a well-kept home, and an active presence on social media. But behind the polished facade hid a horrifying truth that shocked the world.
Netflix’s documentary American Murder: The Family Next Door has left viewers stunned since it first aired.
The harrowing story of Chris Watts, who in 2018 murdered his pregnant wife Shanann and their two young daughters, deeply disturbed audiences.
Many viewers found it so intense that they had to pause it midway.
However, according to several media outlets, there are crucial pieces of this horrifying puzzle that were never mentioned in the documentary.
That’s according to The Mirror.
Family Drama Behind the Smiles
Beneath the smiling exterior were tensions—particularly between Shanann and her mother-in-law.
According to The Daily Mail, Shanann felt threatened when Cindy Watts served ice cream with peanuts to Celeste, who suffered from a severe allergy.
In an angry message to Chris, Shanann wrote: “She’s evil and willing to risk your daughter’s life just to upset me.”
The conflict reached a breaking point when Chris’s parents refused to attend their granddaughter’s birthday party—and even skipped the couple’s wedding.
An Affair That Went Too Far
The documentary touches on Chris’s affair with his coworker Nichol Kessinger, but the reality appears to have been far more serious.
Kessinger reportedly dreamed of marriage and searched online for wedding dresses just nine days before the murders.
She was so affected by the aftermath that she later wanted to change her name and start over.
More Dark Relationships
Chris’s double life didn’t end with just one affair.
Several women—and even one man—came forward claiming to have had relationships with him.
One woman recounted how a Tinder date with Watts turned violent and she had to fight him off.
A male escort claimed he had a ten-month-long relationship with Watts, though Watts himself denied the allegation, telling police: “I’ve never been with a guy.”
Behind Bars Visits
After his sentencing, a woman named Anna Nowak began visiting Chris Watts in prison. She visited a total of 31 times throughout 2019.
At one point, she was even turned away—simply for visiting too often.
The reason behind her frequent visits remains unclear.
A Hope for Redemption
While Chris pretended everything was fine, Shanann was doing her best to hold their marriage together.
She planned a romantic getaway, searched for vacation deals, and arranged babysitting so the couple could reconnect. What she didn’t know was that her husband had other—and much darker—plans.
To neighbors and friends, the Watts family seemed picture-perfect.
But behind closed doors, frustration and deceit were quietly building—until it all erupted in a tragedy that still haunts people today.
The story of Chris Watts isn’t just another true crime tale—it’s a chilling reminder that even the most beautiful facades can hide the darkest secrets.