Watts was sentenced to five consecutive life sentences without parole after pleading guilty to killing his wife, Shanann Watts, who was 15 weeks pregnant, and their daughters, Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3.
Chris Watts, who is serving multiple life sentences for murdering his pregnant wife and two daughters, is reportedly planning to marry a 39-year-old Wisconsin realtor who has been regularly visiting him in prison.
Lizzie Henderson has confirmed she is in a relationship with Watts, who is incarcerated at Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, Wisconsin. Relatives told the Daily Mail that the couple has applied to marry through the prison system, while sealed court records show Henderson filed an application to legally change her name in September 2025.
Henderson has also relocated from Ohio to Wisconsin with her mother and has been a frequent visitor to the prison. Prison records obtained by the Daily Mail show she visited Watts 20 times last year and spent Christmas Day with him in 2024. During a visit in August 2025, witness Lisa Johnson told the Daily Mail that she saw Henderson and Watts kissing as their visit ended.
“I was shocked. I was absolutely shocked to see him,” Johnson said. Johnson said Watts was holding a Bible while speaking with Henderson before the visit ended. According to Johnson, Henderson told Watts, “I love you,” and Watts responded, “I love you too.” Wisconsin inmates can request permission to marry, but the process requires approval from prison officials. Conjugal visits are not permitted at Dodge Correctional Institution.
Henderson confirmed her relationship with Watts during a phone interview but declined to provide many details. “How things began is between me, him and God,” she said. When asked about Watts' crimes, Henderson said: “How I feel about it? He knows. He knows how I feel.” She added: “I don't know all the people involved but I would want to respect them.”
Watts was sentenced to five consecutive life sentences without parole after pleading guilty to killing his wife, Shanann Watts, who was 15 weeks pregnant, and their daughters, Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3, in Colorado in August 2018. Prosecutors said Watts killed Shanann by strangulation before killing their daughters and disposing of their bodies at an oil site where he worked.
Watts had previously told investigators that he wanted to start a new life with a woman with whom he was having an affair.
He has had other female admirers and pen pals since his conviction in 2018. Henderson's relatives say the relationship has now progressed toward marriage.
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