Print Print    Close Close

Netflix doc pushes Chris Watts' mistress to change name

By Louis Casiano

Published October 16, 2020

Fox News
Fox News Flash top headlines for October 16 Video

The former mistress of Chris Watts reportedly applied for a name change this month, shortly after Netflix released a documentary focusing on events leading up to his arrest for the murders of his wife and two young daughters. 

The Daily Mail reported that Nichol Kessinger, 32, applied for the change in Jefferson County, Colo. She was featured briefly on "American Murder: The Family Next Door," where she is seen in recordings telling police that she and Watts had an affair.

Nichol Kessinger said Chris Watts told her he was finishing up divorce proceedings with his wife and that a month into their relationship he told her the divorce was final. She reportedly applied to change her name on the hells of a Netflix documentary detailing the events that led up to Watts murdering his family. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Nichol Kessinger said Chris Watts told her he was finishing up divorce proceedings with his wife and that a month into their relationship he told her the divorce was final. She reportedly applied to change her name on the hells of a Netflix documentary detailing the events that led up to Watts murdering his family. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Watts was convicted for the 2018 murders of his wife, Shanann Watts, 34, their daughters, Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3, and their unborn child, Nico. He strangled his wife in the bedroom of their Frederick, Colo., home and smothered the girls with a blanket at an oil field where he worked.

Watts eventually confessed to the murders in exchange for prosecutors not seeking the death penalty and was sentenced to several life sentences. 

Kessinger's reason for the name change was not clear, but it follows the Sept. 30 release of the documentary. 

In the film, she tells investigators that she thought Watts and his wife were separated. The pair met while working together for a petroleum company and carried on a relationship that included romantic trips. Watts had taken several photos of her in a bikini. 

She told investigators she ended the relationship with Watts because of his lies.

Christopher Watts sits in court for his sentencing hearing at the Weld County Courthouse in 2018 in Greeley, Colorado. Watts was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his pregnant wife, daughters. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Christopher Watts sits in court for his sentencing hearing at the Weld County Courthouse in 2018 in Greeley, Colorado. Watts was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his pregnant wife, daughters. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In 2018, Radar Online reported that Kessinger had moved and was in witness protection.  

Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.

Print Print    Close Close

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/netflix-chris-watts-mistress-name

  • Home
  • Video
  • Politics
  • U.S.
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Tech
  • Science
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • World
  • Sports
  • Weather
  • Privacy
  • Terms

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. © FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Do Not Sell my Personal Information - New Terms of Use - FAQ