Family's heartbreaking tribute after mum, daughters 'killed by husband'
The “heartbroken” brother of a murdered Colorado mum who was killed along with her two daughters, has shared a poignant tribute honouring his family.
Police arrested Christopher Watts, 33, last week on suspicion of killing his wife Shannan and daughters Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3.
Frankie Rzucek, the younger brother of 15-weeks-pregnant Shanann, posted on Facebook of how the woman and her little girls changed his life.
“My sister and nieces meant the absolute world to me. They made me strive to be an even better man.
“I wanted them to be proud of their uncle,” he wrote early on Friday.
“I wish I could go back in time and be there to keep you safe from harm. Sorry uncle couldn’t save you. Absolutely heartbroken.”
In a follow-up post on Sunday, Mr Rzucek added that Mrs Watts, Bella and Celeste were “loved by so many”.
In trying to heed his sister’s philosophy of “finding the positive in the negative”, the uncle said it was tough in this tragic circumstance.
“Thank you Shanann for all that you’ve done and continue to do and I’m honored to call you my sister. God bless you all.”
Their bodies were found on Thursday on property owned by Andarko Petroleum, one of Colorado’s largest oil and gas drillers, where Watts worked as an operator.
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Court documents filed by defense lawyer James Merson said the girls had been submerged in crude oil for four days. Weld County prosecutors said Watts was jailed in protective custody and that charges were expected to be filed later today.
The cause of their deaths has not been made public, however a motion seeking DNA samples from the girls’ necks suggested that they may have been strangled.
Mrs Watts had planned a party Saturday to reveal the gender of her baby. Mr Rzucek said his sister was going to name her baby boy Niko.
