Amanda McMahon details extended Tinder affair with Chris Watts months before murders
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Summary
The segment features Daily Mail reporter Steve Helling discussing new details from Amanda McMahon, identified via case discovery as a second woman who had a sexual relationship with Chris Watts in early 2018. McMahon met Watts on Tinder, believed his marriage was ending based on his account, and now claims the encounters lasted longer than she initially told police while noting red flags such as watching husband-kills-wife films like Shutter Island and aggressive behavior. The relationship reportedly fizzled before the August 2018 murders of Shanann Watts and the children. Helling notes text messages in discovery and Watts' denial of the affair. The reporting ties into the upcoming 'The Trial USA: Chris Watts' podcast premiering July 29.
Editorial Assessment
The broadcast presents McMahon's updated account as reported by Helling without embellishment, grounding it in police discovery documents and text trails that investigators already possessed. Viewers receive clear attribution that these are her current recollections years later, offered after initially minimizing the relationship to authorities while shaken by events. Missing context includes the scale of any new evidence versus her prior statements and whether prescription drug claims align with toxicology or other records never tested at trial. The piece avoids speculation on motive impact and notes the case's guilty plea prevented full courtroom airing. Overall, it functions as standard true-crime update rather than analysis.
Key Moments
McMahon initially told police the relationship was a short fling that didn't last long
Matches 2018 discovery statements referenced in multiple contemporaneous reports and Helling's sourcing from documents.
She now says the relationship lasted longer than initially reported
Direct claim from McMahon via Helling's Daily Mail reporting and NewsNation segment; attributed as her updated recollection.
Watts claimed his wife was leaving and taking the kids; McMahon believed the marriage was over
Consistent with McMahon's 2018 and new statements; aligns with pattern in discovery of Watts' statements to her.
They watched films like Shutter Island about husbands killing wives; other red flags noted
McMahon's specific allegation reported by Helling; presented as her account without independent confirmation in segment.
Text messages and a trail of contact existed; police did not pull her name randomly
Supported by discovery documents referenced in 2018-2019 coverage and Helling's review.
Sources Consulted
- Chris Watts watched ‘Shutter Island’ with his mistress months before killing his family
- I was killer dad Chris Watts' secret mistress. There's so much I never told police
- Amanda McMahon Says One-Night Stand With Chris Watts Was A 'Rape Fantasy' For Him
- Christopher Watts confession update details how he met mistress Nichol Kessinger