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Shanann Watts murder case: Friends, family recall life of slain NC native

People who knew Shanann Watts describe her as a bright light and an involved mom. That all came to a crushing end when authorities arrested her husband, Chris Watts, late Wednesday night in connection with the disappearance of Shanann, who was pregnant, and their two young daughters.

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ABERDEEN, N.C. — People who knew Shanann Watts describe her as a bright light and an involved mom.

"Positive person. She definitely enjoyed life. She loved her little girls more than life itself," said Stacey Fowler, a friend of Shanann's.

That all came to a crushing end when authorities arrested her husband, Chris Watts, late Wednesday night in connection with the disappearance of Shanann, who was pregnant, and their two young daughters.

Shanann Watts, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste, were reported missing on Monday. Their bodies were found Thursday afternoon on the property of one of Colorado's largest oil and gas drillers where her husband used to work. Authorities did not say how they had been killed.

Shanann Watts grew up in Aberdeen, and still has family members in North Carolina. She attended Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines. She and Chris married in Charlotte in 2012.

The Watts family had spent recent weeks in North Carolina visiting loved ones.

According to Fowler, Shanann shared her pregnancy news on the recent trip.

"She was glowing, they were excited," she said.

The Watt family

On the visit, Shanann brought her husband and their two daughters to the hair salon where her mother, Sandi Onorati, works.

"(Shanann) was one of those people, when she walked in the room it was just like sunshine," said Danell Search, who also works at the salon. "Chris was very standoffish. He didn't really say anything. I said, 'Hi,' to him, and he kept his head down."

Online, Shanann Watts had recently boasted about her love for her husband and posted the message alongside photos with him.

"Knowing Chris and how happy they always seemed, I just, I still can't believe he did it," Fowler said.

But Search said Shanann's mother told her another side of the story.

"She mentioned about them having problems, Shanann and Chris," Search said.

Search said Onorati told her the two were planning to separate.

"It's just heartbreaking and devastating for this to happen to such a good person," Search said. "Such cute, good girls. They had a whole life ahead of them taken away unfairly."

Records show that the couple filed for bankruptcy in 2015, with less than $10 left in their savings accounts. Documents show they had amassed more than $70,000 worth of debt, mostly from credit card purchases. It's unknown if their financial struggles played a role in the murders.

Chris Watts graduated from Pine Forest High School in Fayetteville in 2003. According to the high school year book, he was part of the patriotic page and was into automotive repairs.

A neighbor, who lives near Watts' family home but did not want to be identified, said she spoke with his mother all the time.

"I know her quite well, his mom. I feel bad for her because she just didn't lose her son, who is probably going to go to prison for the rest of his life, she lost two, almost three, grandbabies," the woman said. "There's no way to empathize with that."

Husband arrested in missing family case in Colorado

The same neighbor said they could not see a person like Chris Watts committing such a horrific crime.

"We all had that gut feeling, but I don't think we wanted to believe it because he don't seem like the kind of guy that would have done something like that," she said.

Chris Watts was in court briefly on Thursday afternoon for a bond hearing where a judge ordered him to be held without bond. He is facing three counts of first-degree murder.

Weld County District Attorney said the homicides all occurred inside the family’s home and that the deadline to file charges is Monday afternoon.

His next scheduled court appearance is Tuesday at 10 a.m.

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