Chris Watts, Convicted Family Killer Serving Life Sentences, Applies to Marry Prison Pen Pal
Chris Watts, serving five life sentences for killing his pregnant wife and daughters, has applied to marry a woman he met while incarcerated.
Chris Watts, who in 2018 confessed to murdering his pregnant wife Shanann and their two young daughters, is reportedly seeking to marry again — this time from prison. According to TMZ and Us Magazine, Watts has applied for a marriage license to wed Lizzie Henderson, a woman he connected with while serving his sentence. Henderson publicly revealed the relationship in August 2026, confirming the couple's plans to marry. Watts is currently serving five consecutive life sentences with no possibility of parole for the killings, which shocked the country when they came to light in 2018. Prison marriages are legally permitted in the United States, though they require facility approval and must comply with state and federal regulations. Whether the application will be approved by the facility where Watts is held has not been confirmed in the available reporting.
Why it matters
The case remains one of the most widely followed domestic homicide cases in recent U.S. history; Watts' attempt to remarry is likely to resurface public discussion about victims' rights and the legal privileges afforded to convicted killers.
What's next
It has not been reported whether the prison facility has approved or denied the marriage application.
Key facts
- Chris Watts is serving five consecutive life sentences for the 2018 murders of his pregnant wife Shanann and their two daughters
- Watts applied to marry Lizzie Henderson, a woman he met through a prison correspondence or connection
- Henderson publicly revealed the relationship in August 2026
- Prison marriages are legally permitted in the U.S. but require facility approval
- Watts confessed to the killings; his wife Shanann was pregnant at the time of her death
Bias & framing notes
Both sources are entertainment/tabloid outlets (TMZ and Us Magazine). TMZ uses 'reportedly' without naming a primary source; Us Magazine relies heavily on Henderson's own public statements. No independent corroboration from court records, prison officials, or legal filings is cited. Core facts — the relationship and public announcement — appear consistent across both outlets, but the marriage application itself remains unverified by an authoritative source.
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