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A HEARTBROKEN dad struggled to contain his tears in court as he faced his daughter's husband who is on trial for her murder.

Frank Rzucek Sr. held his face in his hands as he bitterly wept in a Colorado courtroom on Tuesday, with Chris Watts sitting just feet away from him.

Frank Rzucek the father of Shanann Watt, silently weeps in court, next to his son Frankie
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Frank Rzucek the father of Shanann Watt, silently weeps in court, next to his son FrankieCredit: AP:Associated Press

Watts, from Oklahoma, is accused of throttling his daughters Bella, four, and three-year-old Celeste before hiding their bodies along with their mum Shanann in oil tanks.

The two girls and their mum disappeared from their family home in Frederick, Colorado, last Monday and Chris went on local television pleading for them to come home.

Frank became emotional in court as it was revealed Watts initially told police it was his wife who murdered the children.

Watts claimed he erupted in rage after Shanann strangled their kids, after he said he wanted a separation.

The Watts family murder - what is known so far:

  • The bodies of Shanann and her kids were found dumped inside oil tanks at Chris Watts' workplace
  • Investigators say they were killed at the family home before their bodies were moved
  • Shanann had just landed a glamorous new job which kept her away from home
  • Pals say the mum shared her fears Chris was cheating on her days before her death
  • The couple once filed for bankruptcy and were facing a hefty fine in court next week
  • Chris Watts made an emotional appeal for his missing wife and kids to come home
  • After the appeal, cops reportedly announced he had confessed to killing his family
Shanann and daughters Bella, four, and Celeste, three, were found dead
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Shanann and daughters Bella, four, and Celeste, three, were found deadCredit: Facebook
Christopher Watts is brought in to court for his arraignment hearing at the Weld County Courthouse
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Christopher Watts is brought in to court for his arraignment hearing at the Weld County CourthouseCredit: AP:Associated Press
Murdered toddler, Bella Watts sings to her daddy, Chris Watts
Frank Rzucek, the father of Shanann Watts, reacts during the arraignment hearing of Christopher Watts
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Frank Rzucek, the father of Shanann Watts, reacts during the arraignment hearing of Christopher WattsCredit: Reuters
Watts faces nine charges including several counts of first-degree murder of his wife and his two young daughters
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Watts faces nine charges including several counts of first-degree murder of his wife and his two young daughtersCredit: Reuters
A family friend previously said Chris Watts had very little game with women, but his wife still worried he was cheating
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A family friend previously said Chris Watts had very little game with women, but his wife still worried he was cheatingCredit: Facebook

Frank Rzucek Jr., Shanann's brother, rubbed his grieving father's back while glaring at Watts who did not enter a plea to any of his charges.

Watts faces three first-degree murder charges, two counts of killing a child under 12, one count of unlawful termination of a pregnancy and three counts of tampering with a deceased human body.

Dad, Chris Watts, begs missing family to come home hours before 'admitting killing them'
A locked gate at an entrance to a ranch in Colorado's eastern plains, near where police say the bodies of Shanann Watts and her daughters Bella and Celeste were discovered
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A locked gate at an entrance to a ranch in Colorado's eastern plains, near where police say the bodies of Shanann Watts and her daughters Bella and Celeste were discoveredCredit: AP:Associated Press
The memorial outside the Watts' family home includes flowers, stuffed animals, and cards
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The memorial outside the Watts' family home includes flowers, stuffed animals, and cardsCredit: AP:Associated Press
The couple are pictured together before the death of Shanann and their daughters
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The couple are pictured together before the death of Shanann and their daughtersCredit: Facebook

Judge Marcelo Kopcow told him he would face the death penalty if found guilty.

Investigators believe the three were killed in the family home, before the two children were dumped in oil tanks at the Anadarko oil and gas exploration site where Chris worked in Frederick.

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Police visited the Watts home on August 13 following requests from a family friend who asked officers to check on Shanann.

Cops searched the house and found her cellphone at the bottom of a chair, her purse in the kitchen and suitcase at the bottom of the stairs.

Watts revealed to police that he had planned on leaving his wife.

He claimed their conversation was civil, but they later became "upset and crying", so she planned to stay at her friend's house, court papers said.

Watts will next appear in court on November 19.

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