The Interrogation Tapes - Episode 3: The Devil in Disguise
Digest
The episode "The Devil in Disguise" delves into the investigation of the shocking murders of a pregnant mother, Shanann Watts, and her two young daughters, Bella and Celeste. The episode highlights the interrogation of Chris Watts, Shanann's husband, and the crucial evidence that led to his confession. The episode begins with the disappearance of Shanann and her daughters, which quickly draws national attention. Detectives notice inconsistencies in Chris's initial statements, particularly his lack of emotion during public pleas for his family's return. The episode then focuses on the interrogation process, showcasing the techniques used by investigators to gain Chris's trust and elicit information. The investigators use open-ended questions, a polygraph test, and even bring in Chris's father to try and break down his defenses. The episode reveals the discovery of a hidden app on Chris's phone, which contained evidence of his affair with a coworker, Nicole Kessinger. This discovery provides a motive for the murders, as Chris was seeking to escape his marriage and start a new life with Nicole. The episode culminates in Chris's confession, where he admits to strangling Shanann and smothering his daughters. The episode concludes with the sentencing of Chris Watts and the emotional impact of the case on the families involved.
Outlines
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Introduction
This Chapter introduces the episode "The Devil in Disguise" of The Interrogation Tapes, a limited series produced by ABC News Studios in partnership with 2020. The episode focuses on the investigation into the shocking murders of a pregnant mother and her two young children.
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The Disappearance of Shanann and Her Daughters
This Chapter details the disappearance of Shanann Watts and her two daughters, Bella and Celeste, which quickly captures national attention. The episode highlights the initial investigation and the suspicions surrounding Chris Watts, Shanann's husband.
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The Interrogation of Chris Watts
This Chapter focuses on the interrogation of Chris Watts by Agent Graham Coder. The episode showcases the techniques used by investigators to gain Chris's trust and elicit information, including open-ended questions, a polygraph test, and the involvement of Chris's father.
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The Discovery of Chris's Affair
This Chapter reveals the discovery of a hidden app on Chris's phone, which contained evidence of his affair with a coworker, Nicole Kessinger. This discovery provides a motive for the murders, as Chris was seeking to escape his marriage and start a new life with Nicole.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Chris's Confession and Sentencing
This Chapter culminates in Chris's confession, where he admits to strangling Shanann and smothering his daughters. The episode concludes with the sentencing of Chris Watts and the emotional impact of the case on the families involved.
Keywords
Chris Watts
Chris Watts is the husband of Shanann Watts and the father of Bella and Celeste. He was convicted of murdering his wife and daughters in 2018. The case gained national attention due to the horrific nature of the crimes and the shocking details that emerged during the investigation and trial.
The Interrogation Tapes
The Interrogation Tapes is a special limited run series produced by ABC News Studios in partnership with 2020. The series explores high-profile criminal cases through the lens of interrogation recordings, providing insights into the psychology of suspects and the techniques used by investigators.
Shanann Watts
Shanann Watts was a young mother who was murdered by her husband, Chris Watts, in 2018. She was pregnant with their third child at the time of her death. The case sparked widespread outrage and sympathy for Shanann and her daughters.
Interrogation
Interrogation is a process used by law enforcement to question suspects and gather information about a crime. It involves a variety of techniques, including open-ended questions, polygraph tests, and psychological manipulation. The goal of interrogation is to elicit a confession or obtain evidence that can be used in court.
Polygraph Test
A polygraph test, also known as a lie detector test, is a technique used to assess a person's truthfulness by measuring physiological responses, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. Polygraph tests are often used in criminal investigations to determine the veracity of a suspect's statements.
Motive
Motive is the reason why a person commits a crime. It can be driven by a variety of factors, such as anger, greed, jealousy, or revenge. In the case of Chris Watts, the motive for the murders was his desire to escape his marriage and start a new life with his mistress.
Nicole Kessinger
Nicole Kessinger was a coworker of Chris Watts and his mistress. She was unaware of Chris's marriage and family until after the disappearance of Shanann and her daughters. Nicole came forward to the police with information about her relationship with Chris, which proved to be crucial in the investigation.
Confession
A confession is a statement made by a suspect admitting to the crime. Confessions are considered to be the most powerful form of evidence in a criminal case. In the case of Chris Watts, his confession was obtained through a combination of interrogation techniques and the discovery of incriminating evidence.
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing of another human being with malice aforethought. It is a serious crime that carries a heavy penalty, including life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Family Secrets
Family secrets are often kept hidden for a variety of reasons, such as shame, guilt, or fear. They can have a profound impact on family relationships and can sometimes lead to conflict or tragedy. The episode "The Sins of the Father" explores the theme of family secrets and their consequences.
Q&A
What were the initial suspicions surrounding Chris Watts in the disappearance of his wife and daughters?
Detectives noticed inconsistencies in Chris's initial statements, particularly his lack of emotion during public pleas for his family's return. They also found it suspicious that he had cleaned out his truck and seemed to be trying to cover his tracks.
What techniques did investigators use to interrogate Chris Watts?
Investigators used a variety of techniques, including open-ended questions, a polygraph test, and even bringing in Chris's father to try and break down his defenses. They also used psychological manipulation to try and get Chris to confess.
What was the motive behind Chris Watts's murders?
The discovery of a hidden app on Chris's phone revealed that he was having an affair with a coworker, Nicole Kessinger. This provided a motive for the murders, as Chris was seeking to escape his marriage and start a new life with Nicole.
How did Chris Watts confess to the murders?
Chris initially denied any involvement in the murders, but after a lengthy interrogation and the discovery of incriminating evidence, he eventually confessed to strangling Shanann and smothering his daughters. He also provided details about the location of the bodies.
What was the impact of the case on the families involved?
The case had a devastating impact on the families involved. Shanann's family was left heartbroken and struggling to cope with the loss of their loved ones. Chris's family was also deeply affected by the crimes and the subsequent trial.
What is the significance of the interrogation recordings in The Interrogation Tapes?
The interrogation recordings provide a unique and intimate glimpse into the psychology of suspects and the techniques used by investigators. They also offer a powerful reminder of the human cost of crime and the importance of justice.
What is the purpose of The Interrogation Tapes series?
The Interrogation Tapes series aims to explore high-profile criminal cases through the lens of interrogation recordings, providing insights into the psychology of suspects and the techniques used by investigators. The series also seeks to raise awareness about the importance of justice and the impact of crime on families and communities.
What is the role of the polygraph test in the interrogation process?
The polygraph test is often used in criminal investigations to assess the veracity of a suspect's statements. It can be a valuable tool for investigators, but it is not foolproof and should be used in conjunction with other evidence.
What is the significance of the discovery of Chris Watts's affair?
The discovery of Chris Watts's affair provided a motive for the murders, as it showed that he was seeking to escape his marriage and start a new life with his mistress. This information was crucial in the investigation and helped to build a strong case against Chris.
What is the ethical dilemma surrounding the use of interrogation techniques?
The use of interrogation techniques can raise ethical concerns, as they can sometimes involve psychological manipulation and coercion. It is important for investigators to use these techniques ethically and to ensure that suspects are not coerced into making false confessions.
Show Notes
20/20’s The Devil in Disguise follows investigators as they resort to a surprise maneuver inside the interrogation room during the hunt to discover what really happened to a young mother and her two young children.
The Interrogation Tapes was produced by ABC News Studios in partnership with 20/20.
The series is now streaming on Hulu.
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