A clinical psychologist and a convicted murderer may seem like an unlikely pairing, but that doesn't seem to be the case where Christa Richello is concerned
The 42-year-old began writing to Chris Watts, known for murdering wife Shanann Watts and daughters Bella and Celeste Watts, after being fascinated by his case. Richello believes that Watts has been deprived of a true investigation into Shanann's death and that he is innocent.
But the friendship didn't just stay between Watts and Richello. It seems on one occasion, fellow prisoner and alleged cellmate Dylan Tallman answered one of Richello's letters on Watts' behalf. Tallman, in jail for charges related to drug possession, made a connection with Richello, and they are currently engaged. Richello is opening up about her experience in a new Lifetime documentary, Cellmate Secrets: Chris Watts, which premieres Friday, June 25, at 10 p.m.
Christa Richello is not ashamed of the "close and intimate" relationship she's formed with convicted killer Chris Watts. In Cellmate Secrets: Chris Watts, Richello talks about how she came to be in contact with Watts as the documentary explores his life behind bars.
Watts was sentenced to five life sentences after the murder of wife Shanann Watts and daughters Bella and Celeste Watts. Richello felt drawn to the case.
"I found it very odd, the way the case was handled," she said.
"I've never seen a case in history that somebody took a plea agreement so quickly, a case was completely ended and not investigated."
"And there's all these different theories because normally this would be going on in a trial for years, and it was only two months to this plea agreement. And that's what caught me," Richello continued.
In talking to Watts, Richello one day received a letter written by his prison friend, Dylan Tallman. Today, Richello and Tallman are engaged.
That wasn't after some big drama, however. Rumors of a romance between Tallman and Watts flew in early 2021 when news that Watts had been disciplined after his boxers were found in Tallman's cell became public. However, it wasn't quite what it seemed, as documents later revealed.
Watts and Tallman were both disciplined after it was discovered Watts gave Tallman underwear, petroleum jelly, assorted toiletries, and books. Tallman was transferred to another facility, as he had been requesting for some time. That wasn't the only issue, however. Watts was also talking to Tallman's parents and girlfriend, Richello, on his behalf, which is against prison rules.
"I can definitely prove that my fiancé is not gay, and neither is Chris Watts," Richello told the Daily Mail.
"And I don't believe that force of circumstance because they were locked up led them to have any sexual contact. Those accusations are just crazy, and I just have to laugh at it," she continued.
"I know both Chris and Dylan and I know their relationship. They are friends. They are very close but that's all it is."
"Chris was trying to help out a friend," Richello said.
"They spent nine months side by side, talking through the outlet for 23 hours a day and they became very friendly."
The two were working on a prayer book prior to the move. "It's difficult for Dylan. He's having a hard time without having Chris next to him in the cell. They call each other brothers in spirit."
