Brother of pregnant Colorado mother murdered alongside her two children says his family is trusting God

Shanann Watts pictured with her brother Frankie Rzucek (Facebook/Frankie Rzucek)

The brother of a pregnant Colorado woman who was murdered alongside her children allegedly by her husband has declared that his family has no "worries" because they have faith in "God."

Frankie Rzucek, brother of victim Shannan Watts, sat in court consoling his father Monday as a judge read the felony charges against her husband Christopher Watts. Afterward, the grieving brother took to social media to share a message with the thousands of supporters who've rallied around the family.

"Thank you everyone for the continued prayers and support. We don't have any worries. We have faith in God, support from around the world and the sweetest guardian angels I've ever known," Rzucek assured supporters on Facebook Monday night. 

The affidavit, which was unsealed on the same day as the court hearing, reveals details of how Chris Watts, 33, allegedly murdered his wife, Shanann Watts, 34, and their two young daughters, Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3.

On Aug. 13, Shannan Watts had returned from a business trip in Arizona with her company Le-Vel and about 12 hours later was reported missing. Three days later her remains were found in an oil and gas field where Chris Watts had worked.

"I don't know what to say. Just that my sister and nieces are loved by so many. It's hard to find reasoning for such things," Rzucek wrote in another post over the weekend where he added one of his late sister's inspirational quotes. "'Find the positive in the negative' she says. Thank you Shanann for all that you've done and continue to do and I'm honored to call you my sister."

Rzucek then asked supporters not to attack Chris Watts' family, noting that they, too, are mourning over the tragic loss.

"God bless you all. My prayers to his family. I pray people don't harass them or wish harm on anyone. God will take care of everyone and everything. They are our family and are hurting just as much. Don't just pray for us, pray that everyone finds peace and love in their hearts through these unimaginable circumstances. Again my family and I appreciate all the love and support," he wrote.

Chris Watts initially claimed he was not aware of his wife and daughters' whereabouts and made several pleas to the media asking for their "return." He was subsequently arrested on Aug. 15 in Frederick, Colorado, after he reportedly confessed to police that he had killed his wife.

The affidavit reveals that Watts had been having an affair with a co-worker and told his pregnant wife that he wanted to end their marriage.

In a statement to police, Watts said he saw his wife murder their daughter, Celeste and that looking at a baby monitor, he saw Bella "sprawled" out on her bed as his wife strangled Celeste.

Watts then claimed he was so enraged that he retaliated by strangling Shanann Watts to death. He then loaded the bodies of his three family members into his work truck and dumped them at the oil field. Shannon Watts was buried in a shallow grave, while the girls were found inside oil tanks.

Watts was charged Monday with nine felony counts. His charges included three counts of first-degree murder after deliberation for the deaths of all three of his family members, along with two counts of first-degree murder for killing his daughters, both of whom were younger than 12, while being in a position of trust. In addition, he faces one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy and three counts of tampering with a deceased body.

Judge Marcelo Kopcow denied bail. Watts' next scheduled court appearance for a status conference will be Nov. 19.

This article was originally published in The Christian Post  and is re-published here with permission

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.