Photo: Shanann Watts/Facebook
Friends oftriple-homicide suspect Chris Wattssay their decision to let him sleep over — in a bedroom across from their five year old daughter — in the days before his arrest for allegedlykilling his wife and two daughtersnow haunts them.
Shan’ann Watts (center) and her daughters.Shanann Watts /Facebook
Chris, 33,made his first appearance in court Tuesdaybut did not enter a plea. His attorney did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Chris Watts.Joshua Polson/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Instead, after the girls vanished and Chris Watts made public appeals for his wife’s and daughters’ safe return, the Thayers invited Chris into their home to stay overnight, while also defending him on social media as speculation grew about his alleged involvement.
The Thayers said they placed him in a bedroom across the hall from their own daughter.
Neither Thayer said they knew of any troubles in the Watts’ relationship. “Chris and I never talked about that kind of stuff anyway,” said Nick Thayer.
Amanda Thayer said: “Shanann had jokingly mentioned it, but honesty she wasn’t worried. But you know when your husband doesn’t answer your text messages, as a woman, your thought process just goes to the wrong things. … It was never a serious concern of hers.”
Shanann Watts.Shanann Watts /Facebook
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“That was a really big relief,” he said. “All I can do is say we’re sorry we defended him on social media. … We really had no idea that he was capable of something like this.”
The shocking turn of events left the Thayers wondering what they’d say to their 5-year-old about her friends.
“We have no idea,” said Nick Thayer, as he began to choke up. “I just looked at, while I was giving her a bath this morning and taking her to school, I just kept looking at her like, how do I tell you that your best friend’s gone?”
According to the affidavit, Chris allegedly admitted to killing Shanann — but said he only did so after he “went into a rage” after, he claimed, he watched Shanann strangle one of their daughters.
Chris is due back in court Nov. 19.
source: people.com
