The Becky Watts Case: A Disturbing Familial Betrayal

The tragic case of Becky Watts, a 16-year-old girl from Bristol, England, stunned the nation in 2015. This article delves into the details of Becky's life, her disappearance, the extensive investigation that followed, and the harrowing discovery of her fate.

Becky Watts: A Loving Daughter and Sister

Rebecca Marie Watts, known as Becky, was born on June 3, 1998. She lived with her father, Darren, and her stepmother, Angie, in Bristol. Becky had a biological mother named Tanya and an older biological brother named Daniel, who lived with Tanya. Becky also had a stepbrother, Nathan Matthews, who was ten years older than her. Although Nathan didn't live with them full-time, he visited on weekends.

Becky adored her older brothers, often wanting to join in their activities despite their age differences. Her first clear word was "Nathan," indicating her affection for him, though Nathan didn't reciprocate her feelings. He resented sharing his mother's attention with Becky and often found her annoying.

A Troubled Adolescence

At 11, Becky faced severe bullying in school, particularly about her weight. This bullying led her to develop anorexia, and by age 12, she was diagnosed with the condition and nearly hospitalized due to her low weight. Despite eventually recovering physically, the emotional scars and bullying persisted.

Becky's home life was also challenging. Nathan, who had turned 23, would bully her, calling her names and making derogatory comments about her weight. Becky also suffered from anxiety and occasional depressive episodes, likely stemming from her earlier struggles with anorexia.

Counseling Sessions

At the age of 12, during her counseling sessions, Becky expressed deep fears about Nathan. She told her counselor that she was scared of him, feeling unsafe when left alone with him. Although she felt somewhat safer with her father and stepmother present, the anxiety and fear persisted in Nathan's presence. Her father, Darren, was informed of these fears but believed there was nothing to be concerned about, a decision that would later haunt him.

The Disappearance

On February 19, 2015, Becky suddenly stopped replying to messages and went quiet on social media. Her family hadn't seen her since the previous Tuesday, and by Friday, February 20, they realized she was missing. Angie's initial assumption that Becky was with friends was dispelled when her friends showed up at their house without her. Panic set in, and Darren rushed home from work.

Becky's room was searched, and it was discovered that her phone, tablet, and laptop were missing, but none of her clothes or money. This unusual behavior led her family to contact the police, reporting her missing at 4 p.m. on February 20.

The Investigation Begins

Despite Becky being a minor and missing for 48 hours, it took police two and a half hours to respond to the report. When they arrived, Becky's friends and family shared what they knew. Shauna Hoare, Nathan's girlfriend, mentioned she believed Becky was in the house on Thursday morning, though she hadn't seen her.

Initial police theories suggested Becky might have run away. However, her family knew this was unlikely due to her anxiety and timid nature. A social media campaign, #FindBecky, was launched, reaching over two million people.

Searching for Clues

Searches for Becky included local areas, houses, parks, and bodies of water. Hundreds of officers and volunteers participated, but no significant evidence emerged. Police interviewed friends and family to understand Becky better, and suspicions soon fell on Nathan and Shauna due to their inconsistent and unusual behavior.

Nathan appeared indifferent and unbothered during questioning, while Shauna seemed giggly and lighthearted, which police found suspicious. Their stories were too consistent, suggesting they had colluded.

The Breakthrough

Six days after Becky's disappearance, forensic teams found bloodstains and fingerprints in Becky's bedroom. The fingerprint belonged to Nathan Matthews. Further testing confirmed the blood was Becky's, leading police to arrest Nathan and Shauna on suspicion of kidnapping.

During questioning, Nathan eventually confessed to killing Becky, claiming it was an accident during an attempted kidnapping to "teach her a lesson." He stated that Becky saw his face during the struggle, which caused him to panic and strangle her. He also admitted to dismembering her body with a circular saw purchased from a local store.

The Horrifying Discovery

Twelve days after Becky was reported missing, her dismembered body was found in a shed. Her remains were wrapped in cling film and packed with cat litter and salt crystals. The autopsy revealed she had been suffocated, sustained multiple injuries, and had over 14 stab wounds inflicted after death.

Nathan's written confession detailed his actions but minimized Shauna's involvement, claiming she was unaware of the murder. However, evidence suggested otherwise. Shauna's DNA was found on the face masks and bags used to dispose of Becky's body.

The Trial and Sentencing

Nathan Matthews was charged with murder, and Shauna Hoare with manslaughter and other offenses. During the trial, it was revealed that Nathan and Shauna shared a disturbing interest in young girls, as evidenced by their text messages and online searches.

Nathan was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 33 years. Shauna was found guilty of manslaughter and received a 17-year sentence. Both appealed their sentences, but the appeals were rejected.

Conclusion

The Becky Watts case is a tragic reminder of the potential for darkness even within families. Becky was a loving daughter and sister whose life was brutally taken by someone she trusted. The investigation revealed the depths of Nathan Matthews' and Shauna Hoare's depravity, bringing some measure of justice to Becky's grieving family.

Becky's memory lives on as a beacon of innocence and the importance of vigilance and awareness in protecting vulnerable individuals from harm.