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Coroner Positively Identifies Bodies Found Belong To Watts Family

FREDERICK, Colo. (CBS4) - An autopsy completed Friday afternoon confirms the identity of three bodies found earlier in the week as those of Shanann, Celeste, and Bella Watts.

Both the manner and cause of death will be released by the Weld County Coroner's Office and only after further lab testing has been completed.

In court documents filed by the state, the bodies of two of the victims in Frederick were in an oil well filled with crude oil for four days.

Those same documents suggest the victims might have been strangled.

Shanann Watts
(credit: CBS)

On Friday afternoon, Chris Watts' attorneys filed a motion that "an expert be present at the autopsies to take swabs consistent with what" the DNA expert recommends. Watts is the sole suspect in the murder of his pregnant wife and two daughters.

Chris Watts
Chris Watts (credit: Weld County)

That expert, Richard Eikelenboom, stated, "I have a lot of experience taking samples from dead bodies getting good results after strangulation."

Eikelenboom is a forensic scientist who has testified as a DNA expert in trials across Colorado.

Frederick Police, the FBI, and CBI joined other agencies in the three-day search for Shanann Watts, and her daughters Bella and Celeste.

Shanann Watts 3
(credit: CBS)

Chris Watts reported them as missing after suggesting they went to visit a friend and never returned.

Wednesday night, Chris was arrested on suspicion of three counts of first-degree murder, and three counts of tampering with deceased bodies.

Sources told CBS4 Watts admitted to murdering his family, though law enforcement would not confirm nor deny those allegations.

He is scheduled to appear in court at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

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