Pregnant Mom, 2 Daughters Killed In Colorado Had Strong NJ Ties

FREDERICK, CO – The mother of two children who police say were killed after they disappeared this week – allegedly murdered by her husband – had strong New Jersey ties.

Police say that Christopher Watts, 33, was arrested in connection with the murder of his wife, Shanann Watts, 34, and two daughters, Celeste and Bella, ages 3 and 4, according to police.

Investigators say they recovered Shanann's body at an oil and gas site, and say they believe they know where the bodies of two daughters are located.

Shanann Watts said on her Facebook page that she was from Passaic, though she eventually moved with her family to North Carolina.

A 2014 obituary from the Shook Funeral Home in Clifton identified Shanann and her brother, Frankie, as among the survivors after the death of their grandmother, Joyce Rzucek of Clifton. Joyce lived in the Passaic County community for many years, the obituary said.

On Facebook, Frankie Rzucek, who identified himself as Shanann's brother and as a Clifton native, used the platform to go after Christopher Watts and the police.

"I just want to know why," Rzucek said. "My precious family, my one and only sibling, my sister, Shanann, 2 adorable nieces Bella and Celeste and her soon to be found out unborn son, Niko. I just want 30 seconds alone with that heartless psychopath.

"May Satan have mercy on his soul. The cops drug their feet," he added. "He was the only one with them and backed his truck into the garage. Doesn't take a genius to know who was suspect. My blood is boiling and the pain and anger and sadness I have in my heart. Nothing absolutely nothing would get in my way of taking away his life like he did mine and my ENTIRE FAMILY."

Christopher Watts was booked into the Weld County Jail and faces three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of tampering with physical evidence.

Read more: WATCH: Police Discuss Arrest Of Husband In Death Of Wife

"This is heartbreaking for the Frederick police who have poured their heart and soul into this investigation," Frederick Police Sergeant Ian Albert said. The 19th Judicial District Attorney asked for the arrest affidavit to be sealed.

On Wednesday morning, the FBI and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation joined the search for Shanann and the girls. The three were reported to Frederick police as missing Monday.

Earlier in the day, Christopher Watts gave an interview with Denver7 where he said Shanann and his daughters had disappeared, leaving her purse and keys on the table. Shanann was 15 weeks pregnant.

"I just want them back. I just want them to come back," he told the station. "If they're not safe right now, that's what's tearing me apart right now."

Watts claimed in the interview Shanann had returned from a work trip to Arizona and arrived home from the airport around 2 a.m. and he had left the house around 5:30 a.m. while she was still in the house. He claimed she was not responding to texts from him around 12:30 p.m., "but she didn't get back to any of her people as well."

"I walked in the house and nothing. Just vanished. She wasn't here, the kids weren't here," he said. Watts claimed he and his wife had "an emotional conversation, I'll leave it at that."

Watch Chris Watts interviewed by Denver7 about his wife and daughters' disappearance:

About 10 months ago, Shannan Watts posted a loving video on Facebook for the couple's anniversary. She posted a slideshow of the couple and a paragraph declaring her love for her husband.

"7 years ago I️ fell in love with you, 5 years ago I️ married my best friend, my soul mate, I️ married you!! Chris these have been the best years of my life! Our love just grows strong everyday! We have two beautiful little girls that call us mommy and daddy! We sold a house, moved to Colorado 5 years ago and built a home for our family! You make me a better person, you believe in me, we have dreams and goals together, you understand me, you put up with me!I️ love you more than words can say and God placed you in my life at the right time! I️ couldn’t imagine life without you! Happy Anniversary! #WeddingAnniversary #Love #Family #Dreams #Goals #Marriage #Bestfriend #Ourfutureisbright #Big #Passion #soulmate #ourweddingsong

Here is the press conference:

With reporting by Jean Lotus

Image via Colorado Bureau of Investigation