A US man, who earlier this week pleaded for the safe return of his pregnant wife and their two young daughters after they went missing, has been arrested on suspicion of killing them.
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Police in the state of Colorado say the body of a woman, believed to be the spouse of 33-year-old Christopher Watts, was discovered on a property where Watts reportedly worked.
The search for the bodies of the couple's two daughters, Celeste, 3, and Bella, 4, turned up human remains that were believed to belong to the two children, police said on Twitter on Thursday.
Their bodies were found in the same area as their mother, Shanann Watts, 34.
Christopher Watts was taken into custody late on Wednesday for the suspected murder of his wife and two daughters.
"This is absolutely the worst possible outcome that any of us could imagine," John Camper, director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, said.
Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke says his office has until Monday to file formal charges against Watts.
Watts - dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit - made a brief appearance in court and was ordered held without bail until at least his next court appearance next week.
Prosecutors said in court they believed Watts' wife and two daughters were killed at their home.
On Tuesday, Watts told local TV he was torn up inside about his family going missing and pleaded for their return.
"I just want them to come back," Watts said.
"My kids are my life. Those smiles light up my life. I want everybody to just come home."
Australian Associated Press