Boyfriend of missing Heather Kelley charged with murder

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Over one year after Kalamazoo County mother of eight Heather Kelley disappeared, her boyfriend, Carlos Watts Jr., has been charged with murder.

If convicted, Watts Jr. could either spend the rest of his life behind bars without parole or could face up to life in prison with the possibility of parole, according to Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting Wednesday.

"These charges will allow for an orderly transfer from federal custody to state custody of Mr. Watts after that sentencing occurs," Getting said. "He will remain in federal custody until that time, until the federal authorities have completed that hearing."

An arraignment for the murder charge has not yet been set. However, Watts Jr. is scheduled to be federally sentenced on a felony escape charge Friday.

Watts Jr. has been the main person of interest in the investigation since Kelley first disappeared Dec. 10, 2022.

He was reportedly with Kelley before she went missing.

• WATCH: Kalamazoo County Prosecutor to give update on missing Heather Kelley

Two days later on Dec. 12, 2022, Watts. Jr was seen on surveillance video cutting off his GPS tether at the Kalamazoo Probation Enhancement Program, or KPEP, before running away from the facility.

In the trial brief, prosecutors said they believe he ran away before he “thought” he was a suspect in Kelley’s murder.

However, Watts Jr. told police he ran because he was scared that Kelley's brother was going to kill him, sending death threats, including a picture of an AR-15 assault rifle, according to federal court documents.

Her body has never been found, despite over a year of searching around Kalamazoo County.

She was last seen leaving her Kalamazoo County home around 9 p.m., according to police.

In a phone call nearly an hour later, she told her kids she would be home shortly – but never returned.

• Escape charge: Boyfriend of missing Heather Kelley pleads guilty to KPEP escape charge

Officers found her burnt car near East Michigan Avenue and North Sprinkle Road.

Kelley's blood, hair and other signs of violence were found inside, Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller said.

Silent Observer is offering a reward up to $5,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to Kelley's whereabouts, according to the sheriff's office.