ABC News August 20, 2018

Man accused of killing pregnant wife, daughters formally charged with murder

WATCH: Man accused of killing pregnant wife, daughters formally charged with murder

The Colorado man accused of killing his pregnant wife and two young daughters has been charged with murder, prosecutors said.

When Shanann Watts, 34, and her children, Celeste, 3, and Bella, 4, were reported missing last Monday by a family friend, Watts' husband, Chris Watts, spoke to reporters, claiming his wife disappeared without a trace.

Watts, 33, was then taken into custody Wednesday.

The bodies of Watts' wife and children were recovered Thursday.

(MORE: 'I hope it's a boy for him,' pregnant wife said weeks before husband allegedly killed her, 2 daughters)

In addition to five counts of murder, three for pre-meditated murder and two for killing a child under 12, Watts is also facing counts of unlawful termination of pregnancy and tampering with a deceased human body, court documents showed.

Watts will be in court for a hearing on his case Tuesday, records showed.

He has not yet entered a plea and it is unknown if he has retained an attorney.

(MORE: 'He fooled us': Friends of man who allegedly killed pregnant wife, daughters speak out after shocking arrest)

At a press conference Monday afternoon, Shanann's father thanked everyone for their prayers and for coming out to the vigil for his daughter.

A memorial outside the home of Shanann Watts in Colorado.

Shanann Watts' body was found in a shallow grave near an oil tank, according to court documents filed in Weld County and obtained by ABC News. The property she was found on is where Chris Watts worked, according to ABC affiliate KMGH in Denver.

(MORE: Investigators find bodies believed to be 2 young daughters of father arrested for murder) (MORE: Pregnant mom, 2 young daughters vanish in Colorado; police vow to 'not rest until we have the answers')
Town of Frederick, CO
Shanann Watts, 34, and her two daughters ages 3 and 4 were reported missing.

The daughters' bodies were found inside mostly full oil and gas tanks, according to a court document filed Thursday by Weld County prosecutors.

Town of Frederick, CO
Shanann Watts, 34, and her two daughters ages 3 and 4 are missing in Frederick, Colo.