Missing Colorado Woman's Husband Confesses to Killing Wife and Daughters [UPDATED]

The case of a missing woman from Frederick, Colo. is drawing to a close as the husband of pregnant wife and mother Shanann Watts confessed Wednesday evening to killing Watts and their two young daughters.

According to CBS Denver, 34-year-old Shanann Watts, along with daughters Bella and Celeste, were reported missing Monday.

A friend of the woman told Fox 31 she last saw Watts at 2 a.m. Monday morning, when she dropped her off at home after a work trip. Watts had planned to meet friends later in the day, but when she didn't respond to their phone calls and failed to show up for a prenatal appointment, they became concerned. The police were notified and conducted a welfare check of the woman's home. Watts' phone, purse, car seats and children's medicine were found inside.

On Tuesday afternoon, The Colorado Bureau of Investigation issued an Endangered Missing Alert for all three.

On Wednesday evening, after a two-day search for the missing woman and children, police in Frederick detained husband Chris Watts. While in custody, the man reportedly confessed to the murder of his wife and two daughters and agreed to bring officers to the location of the bodies. At this time, Watts is being held in the Weld County Jail. More updates are expected from CBS Denver on Thursday morning.

UPDATE: 08/16/18 1:30 pm EDT - A recording of the Shanann Watts Investigation press conference can be viewed here via the Town of Frederick Facebook Page. During the conference, authorities reported finding the body of a woman they believe to be Shannan Watts on the property of a petroleum and natural gas exploration company where Chris Watts once worked. Authorities also believe they know the location of the children's bodies.

UPDATE 2: 08/17/18 12:30 pm EDT - The bodies of two young children, believed to be the daughters of Frederick, Colorado resident Chris Watts, were found inside "mostly full" crude oil and gas tanks, said law enforcement authorities. The tanks were found on property owned by Anadarko Petroleum, the same location where Shanann Watts' body was recovered. Authorities told KMGH they believe Watts placed the bodies of his daughters in the containers to cover the smell of decomposition.

At a 2:30 p.m. bond hearing Thursday, Weld County prosecutors said they believe Shanann and the girls were killed inside of the family's home though no explanation was given for their claims. Official charges against Chris Watts won't be filed until Monday after the investigation is complete. It is unclear if Watts is being represented by a lawyer. According to The Denver Channel, Watts will learn of the formal charges he might face at a 10:30 a.m. Tuesday court hearing. Watts is being held without bond until his next court appearance.

UPDATE 3: 08/20/18 5:30 p.m. EDT - New court filings revealed Christopher Watts may have strangled his wife and daughters to death. The bodies of the three were positively identified on Friday.

Colorado is a state that supports capital punishment. If Watts is charged with the murders of his wife and daughters he could face the death penalty. As more is learned, we'll continue to update this post.