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American Murder: The Family Next Door - what happened to Chris Watts' former lover?

The true crime documentary has both gripped and shocked fans

american murder
Francesca Shillcock
Senior Features Writer
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Netflix fans are all talking about American Murder: The Family Next Door – a devastatingly tragic true crime documentary that tells the story of the Watts murder case. In 2018, Shanann Watts and her two daughters, four-year-old Bella and three-year-old Celeste, were killed at the hands of her husband Chris Watts – who is currently serving life sentences in prison.

MORE: The shocking moment Chris Watts' guilt was revealed in Netflix's American Murder

But there was another aspect of Chris' life that has fascinated followers of the case. Prior to committing the heinous crime, Chris was in a relationship with another woman, Nichol Kessinger – so where is she now? We investigated...

WATCH: Shocking new true-crime documentary American Murder on Netflix

Who was Chris Watts' former mistress Nichol Kessinger?

Chris and Nichol began an extra-marital affair shortly before Chris' family were found dead in August 2018. The couple met at their work, the Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in Colorado, in June 2018. Nichol had no knowledge of Chris' shocking actions, and had no involvement in the case.

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nichol kessinger

Nichol Kessinger was in a short relationship with Chris Watts before his heinous crimes

In fact, Chris had lied to Nichol when they met telling her that he was at the time going through divorce proceedings with his wife Shanann, and refrained from telling Nichol that his wife was pregnant with their third child.

What has Chris Watts' former mistress Nichol Kessinger said about the case?

After Chris' arrest, Nichol spoke to authorities and was naturally shocked by the crimes committed by her former lover. Nichol explained everything that Chris had lied about, telling investigators: "It's not fair. It wasn't fair to me in the first place, it wasn't fair to her in the first place, it wasn't fair to any of us in the first place.

MORE: The bizarre reason why Enola Holmes is being sued - and Henry Cavill's response

american murder fam next door© Photo: Netflix

Shanann Watts, her unborn child, and two daughters were killed by Chris

"It wasn't fair to his family for him to have an affair, it wasn't fair to me to have him lie to me and make me think that everything is going to plan. And still to this day, I don't even know what's a lie and what's not."

She added: "It's like, you know, I'm gonna wake up every day and know that like this mom and her unborn child and these two little girls are not around anymore and it breaks my heart."

MORE: Fans criticise Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma for this reason

Where is Nichol Kessinger now?

Soon after his arrest and Nichol's interview with investigators, Nichol was placed into witness protection to shield her from any harm herself. She has since moved away from Colorado and received a new identity.

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