A former employee of US oil company Anadarko Petroleum was taken into police custody after the bodies of his wife and two children were discovered on property owned by the company in Colorado. It is being reported that a murder investigation has been launched.
According to US news reports, the bodies of the pregnant woman and her two children were found at a site where the husband, Chris Watts, had worked.
Reports said Watts, of Frederick Colorado, was taken into custody on Wednesday on suspicion of killing his wife and two daughters.
It is being reported that an Anadarko spokeswoman confirmed via email that Watts’ employment was terminated effective August 15.
“We are heart-broken by this, and our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones and friends of the Watts family,” the spokeswoman is quoted as saying. “We will continue to support law enforcement in its investigation.”
It is also being reported that Watts faces one count of first-degree murder after deliberation; two counts of first-degree murder – position of trust; and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body. Watts is reportedly being held without bail at least until his next court appearance.
In October 2013, the MV Teknik Perdana was conducting seismic work off the Guyana coast on behalf of Anadarko when it was approached by a Venezuelan navy vessel and forced to sail to Venezuela’s Margarita Island.
