Chris Watts’ mistress reveals all; says why she called cops day after wife, daughters’ disappearance

The mistress of Chris Watts, the man who admitted to killing his pregnant wife and the couple's two daughters, has opened up about their relationship, and shed some light on the character of her former boyfriend.

Police charged Watts with multiple felonies on Aug. 20 after his wife Shanann — 15 weeks pregnant — disappeared along with the couple’s 3- and 4-year-old daughters in Frederick, Colorado.

Two days after Shanann and the girls were reported missing, police found Shanann's body buried in the ground at a petroleum company where Watts worked. Law enforcement also discovered the remains of the couple's daughters submerged in a nearby oil tank.

What did the mistress say?

Nichol Kessinger spoke with The Denver Post on Thursday, where she detailed her affair with the married family man.

Kessinger, one of Watts' former co-workers, told the outlet that she had a brief, physical affair with him prior to the death of his family.

Kessinger is also one of the people listed on the prosecution's witness list.

During the interview, Kessinger said that Watts did not wear a wedding ring at the office, and said that he'd told her that he was separated, and in the final stages of a divorce.

“When he spoke to me, he was very soft-spoken. He appeared to be a good listener,” she explained. Kessenger told the outlet that she and Chris saw one another frequently.

The day Shanann and the couple's daughters went missing, Watts texted Kessinger to tell her that his family was "gone," and said that his wife had not returned from a playdate with the children.

While Watts didn't reportedly sound too concerned about their absence, Kessinger became concerned when she saw that the media had taken interest in his wife and children's disappearance.

“I was very confused why the media was at his house,” Kessinger said.

Media reports ultimately confirmed that Watts had been lying to Kessinger, too.

“When I read the news, I found out he was still married and his wife was 15 weeks pregnant,” she said.

Kessinger told the outlet that she and Watts discussed the events at length prior to his arrest. The day after Shanann and the girls disappeared, Kessinger said that she outright asked Watts if he'd had any involvement in their disappearance.

He reportedly told Kessinger that he'd never do anything to hurt his family.

“It got to a point that he was telling me so many lies that I eventually told him that I did not want to speak to him again until his family was found,” she said.

The next day, Kessinger visited with authorities to file a report on her limited knowledge of Watts' mistruths.

“I just wanted to help,” she said. “With a pregnant woman and two children missing, I was going to do anything that I could.”

Police arrested Watts that very day.

Kessinger told the outlet that she's convinced he's guilty.

“He’s a liar. He lied about everything,” she added.

What else?

Shanann returned home to Frederick, Colorado, from a business trip in the early hours of Aug. 13. Upon her return, the couple reportedly held an emotional conversation about the status of their marriage. During the conversation, Chris reportedly told Shanann that he wanted a divorce.

Local police performed a welfare check on Shanann and her young daughters after the 34-year-old mother didn’t show up for a 1:30 p.m. doctor’s appointment.

Just one day later, police arrested Watts and took him into custody.

In an unsealed court affidavit, police alleged that Watts was having an affair — a claim he initially denied. Watts admitted to killing his wife in a fit of rage. He claimed his wife had strangled their daughters after he revealed he wanted a divorce.

He has been incarcerated at the Weld County Jail. Watts pleaded guilty to all charges last week to avoid the death penalty.  He is due back in court on Monday for sentencing.

You can read more on the background of the case here.