Other Timelines
Timeline of the Evidence
Monday August 13th, 2018
Afternoon: Chris allows a preliminary search of his property
Tuesday August 14th, 2018
Morning: Chris allows canines & Frederick Police Department to search the house
Canine dogs find:
No indicators in garage
No final alerts in the basement
No tracks leading away from house
No indicators in truck
Afternoon: Chris confirms to FBI Agent Coder that he’ll stay out of the house so a forensic team can search & collect evidence late into the evening
Evidence collected:
Bedding from all 3 rooms
Clothing from laundry hampers
Clothing from the bedroom belonging to Shanann & Chris
Blue nitrile gloves
Electronics: ECHO, router, I Pads, laptops, phones, SMART watches etc.
Books
Bags from trash cans in home
Wednesday August 15th, 2018
Early morning: Chris allows search of house to continue
Evidence collected from Cervi 3-19
Black plastic bag (1)
Black plastic bag (2)
Bed sheet
Rake head
Rake handle
Suspected hair from east tank
3rd piece of rake handle
Search warrant is issued & house is taped off outside
10:12pm search & collection of evidence begins
10:14pm Brad’s Towing arrives to remove both vehicles for processing
11:02pm Chris is arrested
11:12pm Assistant District Attorney, Wrenn & Assistant District Attorney, Roach arrive at the Watts House
11:28pm evidence log completed
Thursday August 16th, 2018
12:11am door to the house is sealed and is released as evidence by District Attorney Rourke
Tuesday August 21st, 2018
10:00am CBI searches Chris’ truck & collects evidence
Evidence collected:
Swabs from the steering wheel
Trace lifts rear seats, console & front seat covers
Shovel (2)
Sickle (1)
Gas can (1)
Work boots
Lighter (1)
Roll of black bags
1:10pm CBI signs off on truck without collecting:
Floorboard trace lifts (0)
Floorboard DNA swabs (0)
September 13th, 2018
Items that were collected at Cervi 3-19 on August 15, 2018 are transferred to CBI lab for testing
Evidence transferred for testing:
Black plastic bag (1)
Black plastic bag (2)
Bed sheet
Rake head
Rake handle
Suspected hair from east tank
3rd piece of rake handle
October 1st, 2018
CBI refuses evidence & sends the evidence back to Fredrick police department for storage
Evidence refused by CBI:
Bed sheet from Cervi 3-19
The coroner liner sheet
Shanann’s clothing
The children’s clothing
Samples taken from Chris’ truck
Suspected hair from the east tank
Nail clippings from all 3 victims
Genetic reports & paternity results
Thrive samples from Cindy D
Timeline of Vivant Logs
Sensors & Motion Sensors in House
Sensors:
All Garage doors
Door from garage to mud room
Basement door
Back Sliding door
Front Door
No Sensors on windows
Motion Sensors:
Right hand corner living room area
Basement
Entrance Access via Key-code on Keypad
Garage doors & front doors
Vivant logs events
Alerts when door is open
Alerts if door is not closed within a certain timeframe that’s been set on control panel
Logs all motions as an ‘event’
Vivant Activity Monday August 13, 2018
1:48am Vivant logs Shanann opening door
1:48am Vivant logs ‘motion’ in the living room
4:26am Vivant logs basement door opens, inside garage door opens, and ‘motion’ in the living room
NO ‘motion’ is detected in the house when Chris killed Shanann or when he dragged her down the stairs
Timeline of Interactions with Law Enforcement
8/13/2018 Monday
2:01pm Officer Doll is at 6432 Saratoga Trail when his dash-cam records Chris’ grey truck heading north on Saratoga Trail; north is going away from - the opposite direction- Chris’ house
2:07:44pm Chris arrives home and has first interaction with Officer Conrad
2:10pm Chris consents to a preliminary search of his property
2:44pm Chris & Officer Conrad watch surveillance footage at Nate’s house
3:37pm Detective Baumhover arrives at the house and receives Shanann’s phone
9:12pm Officer James calls Chris and Chris tells him that he has “not cheated but that Shanann may be seeing someone else” and he provides Officer James some of his friends contact information
8/14/2018 Tuesday
1:58am Chris plays ‘phone tag’ with Frederick police department
2:02am Chris calls police for 5 minutes
7:00am Fredrick police requests a press release about Shanann’s status changed to ‘missing’ and requests assistance from the CBI & the FBI
9:30am A drone search is conducted over the Watts’s house and surround area
11:45am Chris consents to a K9 search of his house; ‘Trauma/fear/agreement/distress’ dog alerts in basement at the bottom of the stairs only, nothing in house, car, truck or garage. K9 Cadaver dog does not alert in house, basement or garage & K9 dog handler sees no need to check further as there was no dead body in the house
2:15pm after a briefing at Fredrick police department, CBI agent Tammy Lee calls Anadarko’s regional security manager, Tony H. and requests Chris’ Geotab/GPS coordinates.
3:35pm Officer Brent Manley conducts a canvas search of the surrounding areas to look for Shanann and the girls
6:42pm Chris returns an unanswered call from Fredrick P.D.
7:00pm Chris arrives at Fredrick PD
7:30pm Amanda & Nick T. arrive at Fredrick PD & wait in their car for Chris
9:00pm Officer Ian Albert takes Chris’ phone to the Dacono police department for data search
11:04pm Chris adds FBI Agent Coder into his contact list & tells friends that “FBI have the case now”
11:05pm Chris leaves Fredrick PD & stays the night at the Thayer’s house
8/15/2018 Wednesday
6:00am Officer Steve Walje collects evidence from the house
7:47am Chris tells his father, “Text me when you land. I can pick you up.”
8:00am Anadarko regional manager, Tony H, informs CBI agent Tammy Lee that they have uncovered evidence of a relationship between Chris and Nichol K.
9:03am FBI Agent Coder texts Chris, “Hey Chris, it’s Graham from last night. Just checking in. Will you call me back?” Chris calls agent Coder 3 minutes later
9:37am Chris texts FBI agent Coder that his father just landed that he’s “en-route to pick him up”
9:49am Nichol K learns that her e-mails to Chris were forwarded to Tammy Lee & calls Fredrick P.D. for 3 minutes
9:52am Nichol K calls Fredrick P.D. for 1minute
10:13am Chris tells Coder that he just picked up his dad
10:27am Coder tells Chris, “Swing on by when you get a chance. We’ll make a game plan for today” and then calls Chris
10:53am Chris resumes his interview with the FBI & CBI
11:38am Nichol K calls Fredrick P.D. for 6minutes
12:38pm FBI agent Mark L. calls Nichol K for 6 minutes
1:57pm FBI agent Mark L. calls Nichol K for 1 minute
1:58pm FBI agent Mark L. calls Nichol K for 1 minute
1:58pm Nichol K calls FBI agent Mark L. for 2minutes
2:00pm Nichol K calls FBI agent Mark L. for 1 minute
3:36pm FBI agent Mark L. interviews Nichol K (with her father present) near her apartment at Majestic View Nature Center in Arvanda, CO
3:37pm Prior to Chris’ confession & without owner’s consent; Commander Borders & Detective Dewitt deploy an unmanned aerial drone to survey the well site at Cervi Ranch. A sheet is found on the ground
3:43pm Nichol K calls FBI agent Mark L. for 1 minute
3:44pm Nichol K calls FBI agent Mark L. for 1 minute
3:45pm FBI agent Mark L. calls Nichol K for 2 minutes
4:00-6:00 pm Officer Bradly Davies hands out fliers about Shanann, Bella & Celeste to pedestrians and vehicles at the entrance to the Wyndham Hill subdivision
4:17pm Mr. Binion Cervi is contacted by phone & provides consent to search the property and collect evidence
4:30pm An hour before Chris confessed, CSM Maloney tells CSA Yocum to respond to Cervi 3-19 to process the scene where the missing persons have been disposed of
4:37pm after failing the polygraph test, Chris says, “I’ll tell the truth after I talk to my dad"
4:54pm Ronnie Watts mentions ‘getting a lawyer to Chris; CBI agents Tammy Lee & Graham Coder immediately walk in & interrupt their conversation
5:51pm CBI agent Tammy Lee shows Chris a picture of Cervi 3-19 so he can tell them where the bodies are
6:30pm Officer Bakes transports the Lexus from Fredrick PD back to the Watts house
8:15pm Officer James’s body cam shows Ronnie Watts being transferred from Fredrick PD to a nearby hotel
8:50pm Officer Ed Goodman secures Lexus
9:17pm Sergeant Albert gives Jackie Boyer Chris’ phone so she can download the data
10:00pm News reports state that Chris confessed to killing Shanann, Bella and Celeste
10:05pm Chris is searched & pictures of his body are taken
10:12pm Officer Steve Walje, Officer Manley & Sgt. Bakes report back to the house & a search warrant is executed
10:45pm Officer Scott Conrod responds to Anadarko Cervi 3-19 oil field, collect hair from oil tank hatch, parts of a rake, a bed sheet matching the one’s found in the Watts house trash & excavate possible burial site about 100 feet from the oil tanks
11:00pm A body of an adult female is located buried in approx. 3-8” of dirt
11:02pm Chris is arrested on suspicion of 3 first-degree murder charges & 3 charges of tampering with a deceased human body
11:12pm Weld County ADA Wrenn & ADA Roche arrive at the house to observe collection of various evidentiary items being collected
8/16/2018 Thursday
12:03am Chris is transferred to county jail
12:05am Shanann's decomposing body is found
12:11am Officer Walje locks the front door of the Watts house & informs Weld County dispatch that the scene is released
9:15am Chris’ public defense files a motion to limit ‘Pre-trial publicity’ to enable a fair trial for CW; Judge Kopcow’s grants the motion
10:52am Chris’ public defense files a motion to have the sealed affidavit unsealed (his defense team still does not know exactly what CW said to put him under arrest) D.A. Michael Rourke argues, “the information contained in the affidavit is sensitive to an ongoing investigation, the release of the information would jeopardize the ongoing investigation and may hinder further investigation. Release of said documents, is therefore not in the public’s interest.”
12:0pm A press conference is held with FBI, CBI, Rourke and Fredrick P.D. Chris confessed to killking Shanann but NOT the girls and D.A. Rourke does not correct the misinformation that was being reported that he confessed to killing Shanann and the girls
2:30pm Chris appears in court for a Hearing on Bond; Judge Marcelo Kopcow denies bail but says bond will be reconsidered after he is formally charged
8/17/2018 Friday
9:24am Nichol K texts CBI agent
10:00am CBI Agent Tammy Lee attends the autopsies of Shanann, Bella, Celeste and Niko.
10:30 am An autopsy of Shanann Watts is preformed
10:51am Phone interview with Nichol K when she claims to ‘have memory refreshed’
11:23am Officer Brent Manley receives an e-mail from Zach B. manager of Flatirons HD Ultrasound Office located in Erie
1:19pm Officer Bradley Davies reports to the Watts’s home to investigate a burglary in progress
1:30pm An autopsy of Bella Watts is preformed
3:30pm Another search is conducted at Cervi 319; nothing is found at the site
3:34pm Det. Dave Baumhover sends a request for DNA card of the fetus
8/20/2018 Monday
3:30pm Chris appears in court and is formally charged
4:00pm District Attorney Rourke speaks to reporters on charges filed against Chris
4:30pm The arrest affidavit for Chris is released by the court
4:35pm Frank Rzucek reads a statement to reporters
5:36pm Nickole A. and her son Nicholas A. are interviewed by the FBI
D.A. Rourke & investigators meet & interview Shanann’s dad and her brother
8/21/2018 Tuesday
10:00am Chris is formally advised on the charges filed against him; his pretrial is deferred to 11/19/2018 at 10:00am
10:20am-1:39pm Officer Walje, CBI David Yocum and Forensic Scientist Kailee Henson search and process the Lexus and Chris’ work truck
6:45pm Nichol K. has a phone interview with CBI
8/24/2018 Friday
8:06am Officer Manley meets with general contractor overseeing construction site at Black Mesa Road. Advises they have reason to believe Chris stopped there for several minutes. Contractor advises trash was removed on 8/16 and taken to land fill
8/26/2018 Sunday
Chris’ defense team goes to the D.A. office to seek a ‘plea deal’
8/27/2018 Monday
1:15pm Sergeant Bedsaul asks Officer Doll to respond to 6432 Saratoga Trail & talk with Jason Evans. Jason was provided a flash drive to download videos from August 13th between 1315 hours and 1410 hours9/3/2018 Monday
Evidence is collected & submitted for forensic testing
9/4/2018 Tuesday
CBI refuses 12 items of evidence, including swabs of Shanann, Bella & Celeste & fingernail clippings of all 3 victims were marked with code E (exodus=elimination) “did not wish to take possession of them at their lab” These items were transported back to Fredrick P.D. (This before Chris took the plea agreement)
1:00pm Nichol K meets Dave Baumhover, CBI & gives 7 pages of typed notes regarding her relationship with & knowledge of Chris
9/10/2018 Monday
The court denies a request that Chris’ defense submitted a request for an investigation of the possible leaks of information related to the case, and that the court order the Weld County District Attorney’s Office to investigate the investigation by law enforcement. The court denied the request citing no legal authority to order an investigation.
The defense also argues that the ‘numerous steps’ the district attorney’s office claims they took to limit statements about the case to the public were too ‘generic’ and that in this "extraordinary" case, more is necessary to constitute the prosecution taking "reasonable care" to protect the integrity of the investigation the defense motion reads "The term reasonable care is always relative, depending on the particular circumstances"
1:20pm Chris’ personal and work phones, Nichol Ks’ personal phone and Shanann’s personal phone are transported to Northern Colorado Regional Forensic Laboratory for testing
9/12/2018 Wednesday
Judge Kopcow files an order stating that several recently filed documents had been marked as suppressed, meaning that only select court staff and attorneys can access them. Only select documents are eligible to be suppressed under Colorado law, and Kopcow's order suggests the documents did not fit those requirements. "The court concludes that public access shall be required and directs the filing party to redact the protected information,"
Defense files a motion asking the court to reconsider its decision & argue that the court does have the authority to order an investigation into the leaks because it has the power to enforce its pretrial order to limit publicity in the case, which was issued Aug 20 That ruling instructs law enforcement to abide by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct in the case, which includes limitations on what information can be released publicly prior to a trial
9/13/2018 Thursday
Chris appears in court room
9/17/2018 Monday
6:00pm Chris appears in court; a defense motion accuses the prosecution of withholding evidence.
The district attorney requests the court seal the victims' autopsy reports from the public, as autopsies are public record. In its motion, the district attorney's office claims that "the disclosure of this information to the public prior to trial could result in tainting witnesses that have not yet been interviewed and impacting future jurors."
9/18/2018 Tuesday
Motion from Defense states that a Colorado Bureau of Investigation agent developed possible bare foot impressions from a bag collected at the location where the bodies were found.
A court order responding to this motion, 19th Judicial District Judge Marcelo Kopcow wrote that this motion is similar to a motion filed by the district attorney's office on 9/12/2018 requesting cheek swabs, finger and palm prints, and photos of both of Watts' hands. The defense objected to the Sept. 12 motion, saying that forcing Watts to provide what the court described as "non-testimonial evidence" violates his constitutional rights against unreasonable search and seizure and self-incrimination
9/19/2018 Wednesday
Motion from Defense states that a Colorado Bureau of Investigation agent developed possible bare foot impressions from a bag collected at the location where the bodies were found.
A court order responding to this motion, this motion is similar to a motion filed by the district attorney's office on 9/12/2018 requesting cheek swabs, finger and palm prints, and photos of both of Chris' hands. The defense objected to the Sept. 12 motion, saying that forcing Watts to provide what the court described as "non-testimonial evidence" violates his constitutional rights against unreasonable search and seizure and self-incrimination violates his constitutional rights against unreasonable search and seizure and self-incrimination
9/21/2108 Friday
6:00pm Chris appears in court room 5 for a Review Hearing
Judge Kopcow instructs the district attorney's office to provide the defense with the autopsy reports by Tuesday 9/25/2018. The district attorney's office replied stating that they "have every intention of providing counsel for defendant the reports, upon receipt."
An order from the court mentions that the court was not aware of any Colorado Open Records Act requests for the autopsy reports from the public.
The district attorney's office, after talking with the coroner, stated in its filing that the coroner's office received approximately 20 requests to get the reports. "In addition to the written requests, there are numerous media outlets ... who continually telephone the (coroner's office), on a daily basis, requesting the autopsy reports and updates," the district attorney's recent filing states.
The defense files a notice accusing the district attorney's office of withholding evidence, as they had not received copies of the autopsy reports. They stated they could not respond to the district attorney's motion without first looking at the reports. The defense motion claimed that the failure of the district attorney's office to provide these reports "violates due process of law," undermines the fairness of the proceedings, makes it impossible for attorneys to provide Watts with effective assistance, "and continues to put Mr. Watts on unequal footing with the government
9/24/2018 Monday
The autopsy records of Shanann, Bella and Celeste Watts will be kept confidential, at least until the Weld County District Attorney's Office provides copies of the reports to the court and defense team
9/25/2018 Tuesday
The court orders weld DA to release autopsy reports to Chris’ attorneys. After asking the court to seal autopsy records for Shanann, Bella and Celeste, the District Attorney's Office said they have not yet received the reports from the coroner.
The district attorney's office stated it filed the request to seal the reports prior to seeing them themselves "in an abundance of caution." In the filing, the district attorney's office confirmed with Weld County Coroner's Office that the coroner has not received final reports from the forensic pathologist, so the full reports are not yet available
9/28/2018 Friday
Franklin Police Department takes custody of the fetus (Niko) for transport to the Weld County Coroner's Office for DNA testing & ultimately to be shipped to North Carolina
10/02/2018 Tuesday
2:48pm A 10-page written statement from Sandi Rzucek is faxed to Frederick Police Department
Frank Rzucek, Shanann’s father, is appointed trustee of her estate
11/5/2018 Monday
Chris signs ‘plea deal’
11/6/2018 Tuesday
2:00pm Chris enters guilty pleas to all nine counts
A sentencing hearing is scheduled on Monday, November 19 at 10:00 a.m. (the date of the original deferred pretrial)
11/19/2018 Monday
10:00am Chris appears in court & is sentenced to 5 life sentences
1:30pm Rourke & Wrenn speak to the media after Chris is sentenced
Frank and Sandy Rzucek file for wrongful death against CW
12/3/2018 Monday
due to ‘security concerns’ Chris is moved to an out-of-state prison
12/5/2018 Wednesday
Chris arrives at maximum-security prison Dodge Correctional Facility in Wisconsin
11/18/2018 Monday
Weld County Judge Todd Taylor awards the Rzucek family $6 million
Timeline of Witnesses
8/14/2018 Tuesday
3:00pm A women who lives in Wyndham Hills, calls the Frederick PD to report that on 8/13/2018 at 2:10am she heard a gunshot or a loud car backfire; she was concerned enough that she took a picture of the clock.
3:35pm Officer Brent Manley conducts a canvas search of the surrounding areas to look for Shanann, Bella & Celeste; Chris’ neighbor, Betty informs him that she saw a grey truck on 8/13/2018 at 5:15am when she left for the gym. It was still there when she came home at 6:45am & at 12:00pm. Don & Ann Watt also informs Officer Manley about a white van that they saw twice during day light hours driving in the area 7 days prior to Sunday 8/12/2018.
8/15/2018 Wednesday
Fredrick PD receives a call from a witness stating that they observed an older gentleman that looks like Chris but older on Sunday 8/12 driving a white van/SUV type vehicle that was asking questions with a map about a trail at Estes Park.
6:17:57pm ‘Jackie’ calls Fredrick P.D. to report, “a white ford explorer LIC unknown, on HWY 52 right by the Urgent Care, facing West, that has been sitting there since yesterday. There is a blank going across the dash window and she thinks it might be related.”
8/16/2018 Thursday
CBI receives a call from witness who observed a suspicious ‘white truck’ Monday 8/13 at 1:30am on Hwy 52 near mile marker 3.25 the report states mile marker 3.5 (the hand-written notes have it as 3.25); Hwy 52 WCR 3.25 is a 6-minute drive from Saratoga Trail.
None of the witnesses are followed-up with by the FBI, CBI, or the Frederick police department
Timeline of the Rzucek Family
Tuesday 7/24/2018
4:06pm-4:45pm Sandy calls Chris 12 different times & they talk for 30 minutes
Monday 8/13/2018
8:00am-8:30am Sandy calls to see if the girls are in school. Detective Lang interviews the Director of Primrose school, Keri W., who verifies the call was made by Shanann’s mother
10:28am Sandy texts Chris, "ls Shanann, ok?" Chris makes an unanswered call to Sandy and then she calls Chris again for 1 minute
10:44am Sandy calls Chris
10:51am Chris calls Sandy for 1minute, 12 seconds
11:00am-11:30am Sandy calls Primrose & speaks with Meyer. Meyer said, “Sandy said that she’s Shanann’s mother and that everything was fine & not to tell anyone that she called; don’t tell anyone that I called & excuse me for caring, don’t worry about anything”. Meyer said that she told Sandy that she was glad everything was ok and that she was glad that they were able to talk to Shanann & then Sandy quickly hung-up. Meyer said that around 3:00pm Sandy called back again and spoke with Wood
Tuesday 8/14/2018
4:38am Sandy calls Fredrick P.D. & speaks with Officer Ed Goodman, “Rzucek was upset and told me that she and her husband believe that her daughter and granddaughters' disappearance involved, "Foul play," and that she honestly believes that her son-in-law was involved in the disappearance of her daughter and granddaughters. She stated that Christopher is acting, "Weird," and out of the ordinary. She said that Christopher is telling people, "He has to go to work," and that just doesn't seem right. She felt that he is going out to pour oil on the bodies to dispose of them somewhere. Rzucek said that she felt when Shanann had come home late from her trip and had been exhausted and that she and Christopher had argued, but due to Shanann's Lupus she would not have been able to put up a fight. Rzucek also told me that she had bought Shanann an Apple I-Watch, and the ID was her plan number. She said she had purchased it under her T-Mobile plan, but that Shanann had transferred it to her own ATT account. She identified the I-Watch as being a 38mm Sil Al, white in color. Rzucek then called me back and told me that she and her husband, Frank, had just spoken to Christopher and that he is not shedding a tear about his missing family. She did tell me that she told him if he was involved, he would see her become irate. Rzucek finally told me that Christopher had called a neighbor and told them that he feels we are watching him about his involvement in this. I explained to Rzucek that she should not threaten Chris or say too much in regard to the direction of this investigation, as we do not know exactly what the circumstances are involving the where-about of Shanann and her granddaughters.”
4:58am Sandy calls Chris for 4 minutes
5:33:51pm Sandy calls Fredrick P.D., “I have information & may have a lead on the situation”
6:28:33pm Sandy calls Fredrick P.D., “Saw on channel 9 that SW’s husband said at the end of the video that his kids were find & then corrected himself. Requesting officers to watch video”
6:32am Sandy calls Chris for 6 minutes
3:15pm Sandy contacts Fredrick P.D., “wants luggage upstairs searched, it has been untouched since Shanann’s trip”
7:01:30pm Sandy calls Fredrick P.D., “calling to see about checking the baby monitors. One in each kids room & on SW’s bed side”
7:03:08pm Sandy calls Fredrick P.D., “do not tell Chris about the baby monitors”
Wednesday 8/15/2018
6:56:51am Sandy calls Fredrick P.D., “I’m the mother of Shanann, live in N.C. & want some answers now from an officer. I called the FBI this morning.”
1:05pm Officer Ian Albert contacts Sandy via phone to get some background as to Shanann's marriage to Chris & what she may have observed over the past few months. “Sandra informed me that her daughter and Chris had been married for the past several years and over that time things seemed great between the two of them. Sandra believed that Chris was a great father and husband and that she couldn't ask for a better person to marry Shanann. However, Sandra noted recently that Chris’ behavior had seem to change. Recently Chris, Shanann & the grandkids had spent time out in North Carolina with Frank and Sandra. During that time Chris appeared to be quite cold towards Shanann & the children. Sandra recalled one night where Shanann was quite sick due to her pregnancy and had been vomiting for most of the evening. Sandra noted that Chris not been supportive at all to Shanann and Sandra found it quite odd. Sandra made other references to Chris' behavior being cold & indifferent towards Shanann. I asked Sandra if she knew why this could be and she was not certain. I also asked Sandra how often she spoke to Shanann and her reply was, "everyday". Sandra described her relationship with Shanann to be extremely close and they would talk on the phone frequently. They also chatted on video via Skype as well.
6:34:48pm Sandy calls Fredrick P.D., “Would like an update on what is going on. It’s been 6 hours since last heard anything.”
8:41:22pm Sandy calls Fredrick P.D., “No on called back, it has been 3 hours and would like an officer to contact her by phone. Wants to know what’s going on”
9:57:57pm Frank calls Fredrick P.D., “Wants a call back, why is the house taped off? He is calling from out of state and was advised of this by a neighbor that lives in the area.”
Sunday 8/19/2018
11:00am Sandy emails Fredrick P.D.
Timeline of Shanann’s Pregnancy Sickness
Wednesday 8/1/2018
Shanann texts Cassie R., “NO vomiting this pregnancy but nauseousness. The last week I have have not been able to pee normal (hard to pee). Feeling great otherwise. 10pm last night Chris rubbed my back in first time in over a month. When he was done I sat up and I was lightheaded, body felt kinda numb/tingly, itching all over and just weird. 11pm about an hour later I stood up to pee and vomited (mildly) about 30 minutes later a massive instant migraine came our of no where. Took Imitrix around 2:30am. Usually gets rid of migraine within 20 mins. It’s still just as bad row. Maybe 1.5 sleep last night and I just vomited again 5:30am. Still lightheaded, shaky, blurry vision and exhausted. Went our to eat last night for dinner. could this be vaginal infection, migraine, virus, food poisoning or morning sickness starting at 15 weeks? Thank you. Doctor said it is dehydration and wanted me to go to ER” Cassie replies, “I was afraid you haven’t been drinking lots of water…you really needed, you should go to ER, get them fluids back up. It’s important for the baby.” Shanann tells her, “Girl I’m out of network….”
Monday 8/6/ 2018
Shanann texts Cassie R., “I’m so dizzy and lighheaded and nauseous" Cassie replies, “ Have you drank enough water and eaten?” Shanann tells her, “Working on it. You staying with me Friday? I think it’s because I haven’t shit in weeks…”
Tuesday 8/7/2018
Shanann texts Addy, “He hasn’t asked me once about how I’m feeling or the baby. I was vomiting the other day so bad & he just existed. I don’t know where my heard is at. I will fix it though”
Thursday 8/9/2018
Shanann texts Addy, “I haven’t slept most of the week, my eyes burn from crying so much.”
Shanann texts Addy, “Ok. Love you. Have a migraine & face ruts from crying. Can’t sleep. Thank you for listening.”
Friday 8/10/2018
Shanann texts Addy, “LOL yeah. Just a long 11 days of lack of sleep & stress.”
Timeline of the Home Router
8/7/2018 Tuesday
10:58pm Chris' work phone connects with home router
8/9/2018 Thursday
4:40pm Chris’ cell connects to home router
8/10/2018 Friday
11:10pm Chris' phone connected with home router
8/12/2018 Sunday
9:26:39am Chris’ work phone connects to home router (DHCP IP: 92.168.1.16) to MAC address 08:66:98:72:43:58
9:29:06am Chris’ work phone connects to home router (DHCP IP: 92.168.1.16) to MAC address 08:66:98:72:43:58
9:29:07am Chris’ work phone connects to home router (DHCP IP: 92.168.1.16) to MAC address 08:66:98:72:43:58
10:20:00am Unknown Apple device connects to home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.5) to MAC address 70:70:0d:06: e6:9a
10:47am HP device IP renewal on home router log
11:46am iPad IP renewal on home router log
12:15pm Chris’ personal phone connects to home router: (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.16) to MAC address08:74:02:84:60:fe
1:15pm Amazon Alexa Alert-(DHCP IP: 192.168.1.32) to MAC address 4c: ef:c0:79:26:21
9:00:45pm Chris’ personal phone connects to home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.6) to MAC address 06:74:02:84:60: fe
11:20:35pm Chris’ personal phone connects to home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.6.) to MAC address 08:74:02:84:60: fe
11:20:36pm Chris’ personal phone connects to home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.6.) to MAC address 08:74:02:84:60: fe
8/13/2018 Monday
12:18:20 Amazon’s Alexa alerts (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.32) to MAC address 4c: ef:c0:79:26:21
12:47:06am Amazon’s Alexa Alerts (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.32) to MAC address 4c: ef:c0:79:26
1:11:00am Chris’ personal phone connects to the home router DHCP IP: 192.168.1.6.) to MAC address 08:74:02:84:60: fe
1:11:02am Chris’ personal phone connects with home router DHCP IP: 192.168.1.6.) to MAC address 08:74:02:84:60: fe
1:32:54am Chris’ personal phone connects with home router DHCP IP: 192.168.1.6.) to MAC address 08:74:02:84:60: fe
1:35:09am Chris’ personal phone connects with home router DHCP IP: 192.168.1.6.) to MAC address 08:74:02:84:60: fe
1:35:10am Chris’ personal phone connects with home router DHCP IP: 192.168.1.6.) to MAC address 08:74:02:84:60: fe
1:48:40am Shanann’s personal phone connects with home router DHCP IP:192.168.1.6.) to MAC address 08:74:02:84:60: fe
5:25:47am unknown Apple device connects to the home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.5) to MAC address 70:70:0d:06: e6:9a
5:39:25am Chris’ work phone connects to the home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.16) to MAC address 08:66:98:72:43:58
5:41:48am Chris’ work phone connects to the home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.16) to MAC address 08:66:98:72:43:58
5:43:40am Chris’ work phone connects to the home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.16) to MAC address 08:66:98:72:43:58
12:18:20pm Amazon’s Alexa Alerts (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.32) to MAC address 4c: ef:c0:79:26:21
2:07:46pm unknown Apple device connects to home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.5) to MAC address 70:70:0d:06: e6:9a
2:08:30pm Chris’ personal phone connects to home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.6.) to MAC address 08:74:02:84:60: fe
2:31:26pm Chris’ personal phone connects to home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.6) to MAC address 06:74:02:64:60 (41-TL-)
2:35:25pm Chris’ work phone connects with home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.16) to MAC addres006:74:02: 64:60 (40-TL-)
2:38:48pm Chris’ work phone connects with home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.16) to MAC addres006:74:02: 64:60 (40-TL-)
3:08:42pm Chris’ work phone connects with home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.16) to MAC addres006:74:02: 64:60 (40-TL-)
4:25:56pm Chris’ work phone connects to home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.16) to MAC address 08:66:98:72:43:58 (40-TL)
4:28:20pm Chris’ work phone connects to home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.16) to MAC address 08:66:98:72:43:58 (40-TL)
4:28:21pm Chris’ work phone connects to home router (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.16) to MAC address 08:66:98:72:43:58 (40-TL)
7:35:18pm Chris’ personal phone connects to home route (DHCP IP: 192.168.1.6.) to MAC address 08:74:02:84:60: fe
10:47pm HP printer IP renewal
11:49:34pm Amazon’s Alexa alerts DHCP IP: 192.168.1.32) to MAC address 4c:ef:c0:79:26:21
8/14/2018 Tuesday
10:52:03pm Amazon’s Alexa alerts DHCP IP: 192.168.1.32) to MAC address 4c:ef:c0:79:26:21
11:20:48pm Amazon’s Alexa alerts DHCP IP: 192.168.1.32) to MAC address 4c:ef:c0:79:26:21
Timeline of the Autopsies
Shanann Watts
Dr. Burson, Medical examiner
Tammy Lee, CBI Agent
Erik Bryant, CSA Agent
had x-rays taken prior to the autopsy
informed Dr. Burson that Shanann had a prior neck surgery
wearing a purple/gray t-shirt, black bra, & blue thong underwear, which were removed and collected as evidence.
appeared to have a large amount of skin slippage
amniotic sack protruding from her vaginal area
The amniotic sack & removed the fetus
The fetus was collected as evidence & CBI Laboratory Manager, Aaron Koning, arrived during the autopsy to transport the fetus directly to the CBI’s Forensic Laboratory
Dr. Burson pointed out several important findings:
The hyoid bone was not broken, although he pointed out bruising to the soft tissue on the right side of the hyoid bone
Bruising to the neck muscles & tissue
No other trauma was found on the body
No evidence of diseases
Preliminary cause of death was asphyxiation due to manual strangulation
Bella Watts
Dr. Burson, Medical examiner
Tammy Lee, CBI Agent
Erik Bryant, CSA Agent
dressed in a pink nightgown covered in butterflies and a pair of underwear
Clothes were removed & collected as evidence
Had a large amount of skin slippage
x-rayed as there was concern, she may have had a broken jaw
The x-rays were sent to a Pediatric Radiologist at Children’s Hospital who advised it appeared to be gas in the area of the jaw & not an actual fracture
Scrapes to her buttocks & the tops of both shoulders
Dr. Burson pointed out several important findings:
Frenulum (skin connecting the top lip to the gum) was torn, which created a large hole
Gums & inner lip appeared bruised & that Bella had bit into her tongue
Injuries were consistent with hard downward pressure on her nose & mouth
Death was violent as it appeared she struggled to get away
No bruising or injury to the neck
Preliminary cause of death was asphyxiation due to manual smothering
Celeste Watts
Dr. Burson, Medical examiner
Tammy Lee, CBI Agent
Erik Bryant, CSA Agent
dressed in a pink nightgown, Minnie Mouse underwear, & a pull-up
nightgown & underwear were collected as evidence
had a large amount of skin slippage
no obvious signs of injury or bruising to her neck area
no injury to the mouth or face, to include petechiae
measured the hip & shoulder width of Bella & Celeste & advised the smallest width was Celeste at 9 ½ inches; the opening to the hatch of the oil tank was only 8 inches in diameter
items of evidence collected during the autopsy were packaged & turned over to Detective Baumhover
Photographs are attached to the report along with the sign-in sheets for each autopsy
Preliminary cause of death was asphyxiation due to manual smothering
Nikko Watts
Dr. Burson, Medical Examiner
Tammy Lee, CBI Agent
Erik Bryant, CSA Agent
Adjacent to the probable uterus is a largely degraded portion of tissue which is covered in sandy debris from the grave-site.
Upon further examination of this tissue, it is revealed to be a largely decomposed fetus
Gender & age cannot be determined, however it has the following measurements:
Crown/rump length of approximately 10.5 cm & a foot length of approximately 0.7-0.8 cm
fetus was removed from the amniotic sack
fetus was collected as evidence & CBI Laboratory Manager, Aaron Koning, arrived during the autopsy to transport the fetus directly to the CBI’s Forensic Laboratory
The remains of a fetus were visible
Inconsistencies in autopsies
Shanann and Niko’s
No evidence of manual strangulation
Inconsistencies regarding Shanann’s state of decomposition
Three different descriptions of Shanann’s appearance at postmortem
Three different descriptions of decomposition of Niko
No time of death of Shanann could be determined despite multiple forensic markers being available
No gender or age of Niko could be determined despite the fact that his foot & length could be measured
No mention of Niko still being in the amniotic sac
No mention of any insects on or in the body of Shanann despite being exposed to heat & rain
No further explanation of rigor mortis/blanching of Shanann’s right side of abdomen, groin & thigh despite Shanann being found in a different position
No bloodshot eyes, no nose/ear bleeds
No evidence of urination or defecation in the house, the truck, or on the sheet found next to her body
Niko was taken for genetic testing which is not common procedure
Bella and Celeste’s
Yellow bruising on Bella’s shoulder & rear was at least 7 days old
No fibers found in airways or nasal cavity of either children even though Bella had significant injuries due to fighting & both were smothered with the same blanket
Celeste had at least one collapsed lung but no injuries supporting being smothered
No abrasions or injuries on Celeste suggesting she went into the tanks through the 8-inch thief hatch. Smallest measurement of either child was 9.5 inch belonging to Celeste’s shoulders
Toxicology report for both children stated that the ethanol level in their spleen blood would be present due to decomposition even though the toxicology report was not yet drafted or had the lab received the blood for testing
