Chris Watts’ prison girlfriend has been identified as Lizzie Henderson, a 39-year-old realtor who moved states to be near him and reportedly applied to marry him. The Daily Mail has since reported that he has called off their plans.
Chris Watts’ until-recently wife-to-be has been identified as Lizzie Henderson, a 39-year-old realtor from Ohio. She holds a real estate license in Wisconsin, where she moved with her mother to be near Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, the prison where Watts, 41, is serving multiple life sentences.
Watts killed his wife, Shanann, and their daughters, Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3, in August 2018. He initially told police his family had vanished and made a public appeal for their return. Later he confessed and pleaded guilty to all nine charges in November of the same year, after Shanann’s family asked prosecutors not to seek the death penalty.
Henderson has confirmed the relationship
Relatives told the Daily Mail in August 2026 that Watts and Henderson had applied to marry within the prison system. In late September however, it was reported that Watts had ended the relationship, only weeks after the application. Henderson’s family members have not been quoted since.
Henderson acknowledged some people might find it “weird.” She declined to say how the relationship began. “How things began is between me, him, and God,” she said. Asked about his crimes, she said he “knows” how she feels and that she would want to respect the people involved.
Prison visit logs show she visited him 20 times last year and spent Christmas Day 2024 with him, the Daily Mail reported. Inside Edition reported 23 visits over 15 months. Relatives said she had started calling herself “Lizzie Watts.” Court records seen by People confirm a Lizzie Henderson filed a name-change case last September, though the details are sealed.
Her family had mixed reactions to the news. Some relatives knew she was dating a prisoner but not who he was or what he had done. Her sister Fredericka told Inside Edition that people sentenced to prison shouldn’t get the privilege of relationships.
Her brother said Henderson made it sound as if the man had killed someone who “stole something.” Her former stepfather said he knew about the relationship and that they had talked about marriage.
Bizarre reason Watts reportedly decided to call off the wedding
According to the Daily Mail, Watts told Henderson he no longer felt “peace” in the relationship and believed God was sending a sign that they shouldn’t be together. A family source said his mother, Cindy, never warmed to Henderson and that “Chris listens to his family.”
The report relies on unnamed sources, and neither Watts nor Henderson has publicly confirmed it. In letters from prison, Watts has previously claimed he has changed and found God.
Rest in peace Shanann, Bella and Celeste.
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