Colorado authorities say they have found body of missing NC native

Authorities have charged Shanann Watts' husband, Chris Watts, with first-degree murder in connection with the case.

Chris Watts was taken into custody in Weld County, Colorado, after he admitted to killing his wife and two young daughters. He faces three counts of tampering with physical evidence charges and three counts of first-degree murder and is being held without bond.

After Watt's pregnant wife, 34-year-old Shanann Watts, and their two daughters, 4-year-old Bella and 3-year-old Celeste were reported missing Monday, Watts spoke with media and pleaded for his family's safe return.

"I texted her a few times and called her and didn't get a response - which that was a little off. And then her friend Nicole showed up about a little after noon. I could see her on the doorbell camera. That's when I was just like alright something's not right if she's not answering the door, the car was here - I gotta go home," said Watts.

Watts graduated from Pine Forest High School, in Fayetteville, in 2003. According to the high school year book, he was part of the patriotic page and was into automotive repairs.

A neighbor, who lives near Watts' family home, said she spoke with his mother all the time.

"I know her quite well, his mom. I feel bad for her because she just didn't lose her son, who is probably going to go to prison for the rest of his life, she lost two, almost three, grandbabies," the woman said. "There's no way to empathize with that."

Shanann Watts grew up in Southern Pines and still has family members in North Carolina. She attended Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines. The couple was married in Charlotte in 2012.

The FBI and Colorado Bureau of Investigation are also investigating.