Chris Watts, who is serving multiple life sentences without parole for killing his pregnant wife and two young daughters, has reportedly sought to marry a new love interest. The woman, identified as Lizzie Henderson, allegedly met Watts while he was incarcerated at Dodge Correctional Institution in Wisconsin. Reports say both applied to marry through the prison system, while Wisconsin court records show Henderson filed a confidential name-change application in 2025. Watts pleaded guilty in 2018 after prosecutors agreed not to pursue the death penalty.
| 1) | Reported prison marriage plans |
| 2) | The 2018 family murders and sentence |
| 3) | Henderson’s reported connection to Wisconsin |
| 4) | Statements about the planned marriage |
| 5) | What remains unconfirmed |
Reported prison marriage plans
Reports indicate that Chris Watts wants to marry Lizzie Henderson, a woman he is said to have met while serving his sentence. The reported relationship has drawn attention because Watts is incarcerated for the 2018 killings of his wife and two children. According to published reports, both Watts and Henderson applied to marry within the prison system, although the available information does not establish that a marriage has taken place.
Watts is held at Dodge Correctional Institution, a maximum-security prison in Waupun, Wisconsin. He has previously written to female prison pen pals, according to the report, but the current account describes Henderson as a new romantic partner rather than simply a correspondent.
The 2018 family murders and sentence
Watts killed Shanann Watts, who was pregnant, and their daughters, Bella Watts, 4, and Celeste Watts, 3, on Aug. 13, 2018. Investigators said the killings occurred while Watts was having an affair. The case became one of the most closely followed family homicide investigations in recent years.
Later in 2018, Watts pleaded guilty to all charges. The plea agreement allowed prosecutors to avoid seeking the death penalty, and he was sentenced to life without parole for the murders. He remains imprisoned and cannot be released on parole under that sentence.
Henderson’s reported connection to Wisconsin
Lizzie Henderson is reportedly from Cleveland, Ohio, and recently moved to Wisconsin, where Watts is serving his sentence. The reported relocation places her closer to Dodge Correctional Institution and has been cited in accounts of the couple’s alleged plans.
Wisconsin court records reviewed for the report show that a woman named Lizzie Henderson applied for a legal name change in Racine County in 2025. The filing was listed as confidential. The record supports the existence of the application but does not publicly disclose the requested new name or independently confirm that the filing was connected to Watts.
Statements about the planned marriage
In comments attributed to the Daily Mail, Henderson addressed the killings and her relationship with Watts. Her remarks acknowledged the seriousness of the crimes while indicating that she wanted to respect those affected.
“He knows how I feel. I don’t know all the people involved but I would want to respect them.”
Henderson also described the murders as “something harsh for anyone to experience.” The comments offer her stated perspective, but they do not provide additional details about the reported marriage application, its status, or the couple’s plans inside the prison system.
What remains unconfirmed
The reported marriage application and the confidential name-change filing have not been presented as proof that a legal wedding occurred. The information available describes an alleged application process rather than a completed marriage. A real estate office in the Milwaukee area confirmed that Henderson is not a current employee and declined to discuss her past employment status.
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections was contacted for comment. No agency confirmation of the reported marriage plans was included in the available account. As a result, the timing, status and any requirements associated with a potential prison marriage remain unclear.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Watts is serving life without parole for killing his wife and two daughters. |
| 2 | Reports identify Lizzie Henderson as his new love interest. |
| 3 | Both reportedly applied to marry through the prison system. |
| 4 | A confidential 2025 name-change application was filed in Racine County. |
| 5 | A completed marriage has not been independently confirmed. |
Summary
The reported marriage plans add a new development to the continuing public interest in the Watts case. While reports and court records describe an alleged relationship, a prison marriage application and a confidential name-change filing, they do not confirm that a wedding has occurred. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections had been contacted for further information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Chris Watts reportedly seeking to marry?
Chris Watts is reportedly seeking to marry Lizzie Henderson, whom reports say he met while serving his prison sentence.
Why is Chris Watts in prison?
Watts is imprisoned for killing his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, and their daughters, Bella Watts and Celeste Watts, in August 2018. He pleaded guilty and received life without parole.
Has the reported prison marriage taken place?
The available reporting says that Watts and Henderson applied to marry, but it does not confirm that a legal marriage has been completed.
What public record is connected to the report?
Racine County records show that a woman named Lizzie Henderson filed a confidential legal name-change application in 2025. The record does not publicly reveal the requested name or establish the reason for the filing.
