The name Nichol Kessinger has, unfortunately, become linked to one of the most chilling true crime stories of recent times, the Chris Watts family murders. Her involvement, as the affair partner of Chris Watts, brought her into a spotlight she certainly did not seek, and it changed the course of her life forever. Many people, even now, want to understand her place in this tragic narrative.
It's almost, in a way, hard to believe how quickly a seemingly normal life can become entangled in such a dark event. Nichol Kessinger was dating Chris Watts for months before he committed the unspeakable acts against his family. This relationship, it seems, became a central point of the investigation.
After Chris Watts murdered his wife and daughters, he even texted her, a detail that truly underscores the immediate aftermath. Her story, from her initial silence to her eventual cooperation with authorities, is a key piece of the puzzle, and many are still curious about where she is today, and what her life is like now.
Table of Contents
- Who is Nichol Kessinger?
- Nichol Kessinger: Personal Details
- The Affair with Chris Watts
- Her Role in the Investigation
- Speaking Out: Nichol Kessinger's Interview
- The Motive: A New Life
- Where is Nichol Kessinger Today?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Nichol Kessinger
- Conclusion
Who is Nichol Kessinger?
Nichol Kessinger found herself in a truly horrible spotlight when detectives uncovered that convicted murderer Chris Watts was having an affair with her. She was, in essence, Chris Watts' affair partner, and some believe she represented a significant motive behind his family murders. Her connection to the case quickly made her a figure of intense public interest, so, her name became widely known.
She was, it appears, a coworker of Chris Watts, and their relationship began in June 2018. Sparks, it seems, flew immediately between them. This relationship developed in the weeks leading up to the murders, a period when Chris Watts was still living with his pregnant wife, Shanann, and their two young daughters. It’s a detail that, in some respects, adds a layer of complexity to the tragic events that followed.
Even though she was not directly involved in the murders themselves, her relationship with Chris Watts became a crucial element in the investigation. Her cooperation with the police and her testimony against him were vital for understanding the sequence of events and Chris Watts' mindset at the time. She, basically, helped the authorities piece together what happened.
Nichol Kessinger: Personal Details
Nichol Kessinger was born in Colorado in 1988, which places her age around 30 at the time of the Chris Watts murders in 2018. Her background, before the terrible events, seems quite ordinary and focused on education and career.
She earned a bachelor of science degree in geology from Colorado State University. Later, she completed an associate degree, further building her professional qualifications. These details, in a way, paint a picture of someone pursuing a career and building a life, just like many others.
Here's a quick look at some personal details about Nichol Kessinger, as known from public records and the investigation:
| Full Name | Nichol Kessinger |
| Year of Birth | 1988 |
| Place of Birth | Colorado, USA |
| Education | Bachelor of Science in Geology (Colorado State University), Associate Degree |
| Occupation (at time of events) | Co-worker of Chris Watts |
The Affair with Chris Watts
The relationship between Nichol Kessinger and Chris Watts started in June 2018. They dated for a few months before he committed the heinous acts. This affair was, quite literally, the central personal drama in Chris Watts' life leading up to the murders. He was, apparently, very much invested in this new connection.
Chris Watts, you know, was having an affair with Nichol Kessinger when he murdered his family. This detail is crucial because it provided a significant motive for his actions. He wanted, it is speculated, to end his marriage and pursue a new relationship with someone he had recently met at work, and that someone was Nichol.
The affair itself was a secret from his family, of course. Chris Watts reportedly told Nichol Kessinger that he was separated from his wife, Shanann, which was a complete lie. This deception, it turns out, played a big part in how the relationship unfolded and how Nichol later reacted to the truth.
Her Role in the Investigation
Nichol Kessinger's role in the investigation was, quite honestly, pivotal. She did not speak publicly during the initial stages of the investigation, but after Chris Watts was arrested, she became a key witness. Her cooperation was essential in bringing Chris Watts to justice.
She cooperated with the police and testified against him, even though some people might have wondered about her involvement. The police interview with Chris Watts' mistress, Nichol Kessinger, where she spoke out against him, became a significant piece of evidence. This interview, you know, provided crucial insights into Watts' lies and behavior.
Video footage from the Weld County District Attorney's Office and later featured in Netflix documentaries, shows parts of her police interview. This footage helped the public understand her perspective and how she reacted when the truth about Chris Watts' family came out. She, basically, helped paint a clearer picture for the authorities.
Speaking Out: Nichol Kessinger's Interview
In a very revealing interview with The Denver Post in November 2018, Nichol Kessinger discussed her affair with Chris Watts and what happened in the months leading up to the murders. This was one of the few times she spoke publicly about the ordeal. She, actually, shared quite a bit.
"He lied about everything," Nichol Kessinger, then 30, told The Denver Post. This quote captures her shock and betrayal upon learning the full extent of Chris Watts' deception. She had, as a matter of fact, believed his claims about being separated from his wife.
During her police interviews, she provided timelines and details about their relationship, which helped investigators track Chris Watts' movements and actions. Her testimony was critical in proving his lies and establishing his motive. She, in a way, helped connect the dots for the police.
She described Chris Watts as a "liar" and recounted how he maintained the facade of a struggling husband throughout their relationship. It's almost, in some respects, hard to imagine the shock she must have felt when the truth about his family's disappearance and his involvement came to light. Her statements provided a stark contrast to Watts' initial denials.
The Motive: A New Life
It's widely speculated that Chris Watts killed Shanann Watts because he wanted to end his marriage and pursue a new relationship with someone he had recently met at work, and that person was Nichol Kessinger. This desire for a new life, it seems, became a powerful, dark motivation.
Watts himself claimed to a fellow inmate, David Tallman, that Kessinger told him to choose between her and his family on the night of the murders. He allegedly said, "Jezebel was the forbidden fruit," and that, well, he chose the "forbidden fruit." This statement, if true, highlights his twisted perception of the situation and his affair.
The idea of starting fresh with Nichol Kessinger was, apparently, a driving force for Chris Watts. He saw her as a path to a different future, free from his current family life. This desire, you know, led him down a horrific path, ending in the murder of his wife and daughters.
The documentary, "American Murder: The Family Next Door," tells the story of how Chris, who was having an affair with girlfriend Nichol Kessinger, murdered Shanann and the couple’s daughters because he wanted a new life. It truly brings to light the devastating consequences of his choices, and how his affair with Nichol played a role in his actions.
Where is Nichol Kessinger Today?
Nichol Kessinger keeps a very low profile today. She did not speak publicly during the initial stages of the investigation, and she has remained almost entirely out of the public eye since Watts pled guilty in November 2018. Her desire for privacy is, quite understandably, very strong.
It's speculated that Nichol Kessinger has allegedly been placed in witness protection. This would explain her complete disappearance from public view. If she is indeed in witness protection, it means her identity and location are carefully guarded for her safety. She, basically, vanished from the public eye.
She has not spoken publicly since her Denver Post interview, and her current whereabouts are unknown to the general public. This is a common outcome for individuals who become unwillingly entangled in high-profile criminal cases, especially when they cooperate with authorities. It's a way, you know, to regain some semblance of a normal life.
Many people still ask, "Where is Nichol Kessinger now?" The answer remains that she is likely living under a new identity, trying to move on from the horrific events that brought her unexpected notoriety. Her life, you know, was irrevocably changed by her association with Chris Watts, and she seems to have chosen to live as privately as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nichol Kessinger
Here are some common questions people have about Nichol Kessinger, based on what many search for:
Was Nichol Kessinger involved in the murders?
No, Nichol Kessinger was not involved in the murders of Shanann Watts or her daughters. She cooperated with the police and provided information that helped convict Chris Watts. She, in fact, was a witness for the prosecution.
Why did Chris Watts kill his family?
Chris Watts killed his family because he wanted to end his marriage and pursue a new relationship with Nichol Kessinger. He saw her as a way to start a new life, free from his existing family obligations. This desire, it seems, was a primary motive.
Where can I learn more about the Chris Watts case?
You can find the answers to the biggest questions about Chris Watts, his wife Shanann Watts, and Chris Watts' girlfriend Nichol Kessinger from Netflix's documentary, "American Murder: The Family Next Door." You can also learn more about the broader context of true crime on our site, and get more details about the investigation's key moments here. For additional details, you might consult reputable news archives or true crime resources, like this biography of Chris Watts, which covers the case extensively.
Conclusion
Nichol Kessinger's story is a stark reminder of how quickly a life can change due to unforeseen circumstances and the actions of others. Her involvement as Chris Watts' affair partner was, undeniably, a significant element in the unfolding of the tragic events. She cooperated with authorities, providing crucial details that helped bring Chris Watts to justice.
Despite her cooperation, she found herself at the center of a public storm, leading her to seek a life of extreme privacy. Today, she keeps a low profile, possibly under witness protection, aiming to live a life away from the public eye. Her story, you know, remains a compelling part of the Chris Watts case, highlighting the unexpected ways lives can intersect with dark events.
