Body language expert analyzes Christopher Watts' behavior before arrest in deaths of wife, kids
A body language expert has weighed in on the demeanor of Christopher Watts as he spoke to reporters to plead for the safe return of his wife and kids — just hours before he was arrested in their deaths.
Watts made a chilling television appearance to beg the public for the safe return of his wife, 34-year-old Shanann Watts, and his two daughters, 4-year-old Bella Watts and 3-year-old Celeste Watts, before he was taken into police custody on Wednesday night.
"My heart is racing a mile a minute," Watts told reporters just hours before he was arrested. "It's not something I could ever, ever fathom would happen in my lifetime, and I have no inclination of where she is."
"My kids are my life. Those smiles light up my life," he added.
Body language expert Traci Brown spoke with KDVR about Watts' demeanor and said she was able to observe signs of deception right away.
"He rolled his lips back over his teeth a lot. You see his lips disappear?" she told the station, referencing footage of Watts' recent interview. "That's a telltale for someone who knows more than they're saying." He clearly knew then and he was trying to hold back and the whole thing unraveled on him."
Photos of the family:
Shanann Watts was reported missing on Wednesday afternoon and was found dead on Thursday on land owned by Anadarko Petroleum, where her husband had been employed until he was terminated by the company amid the investigation into his family's disappearance. She was 15 weeks pregnant with a baby boy at the time of her death.
The bodies of the couple's two young children were reportedly found Thursday inside of "mostly full" oil and gas tanks that were also owned by Anadarko Petroleum, according to KMGH.
Watts was arrested on Wednesday night but has not been formally charged with any crimes in relation to the case. However, law enforcement sources allegedly told the station that he confessed to killing his wife and daughters and showed them where he hid their bodies.
Weld County prosecutors have until Monday to file formal charges against Watts. He is being held without bond until his next court appearance.
