Katharina Buczek
He was reportedly on probation leading up to Heather’s disappearance, and the day after she vanished, he left his residence without permission.
According to his GPS tether, Carlos was working at the Park Club as a busboy on the day Heather disappeared. However, at 9:30 p.m. that night, the tether ultimately went dead.
Then, Carlos did not return to his probation home until approximately 2:45 a.m. At that point, witnesses reportedly claimed there were deep scratches on both his back and chest.
Around half a mile away from Heather’s abandoned truck, investigators found articles of clothing – including a durag and a pair of jeans – that contained both Heather’s and Carlos’ DNA.
The public also learned that, after Carlos was interviewed by authorities on the evening Heather disappeared, he was caught on surveillance footage cutting off his GPS tether at the Kalamazoo Probation Enhancement Program (KPEP). Afterward, he reportedly escaped via an emergency exit.
Carlos was arrested, and on January 12, 2024, he was ultimately sentenced to 14 months behind bars due to a federal escape charge. That same month, prosecutors also announced that he would be charged with Heather’s murder.
“Carlos Watts poses a tremendous threat to our community. While finishing his sentence at a halfway house for drug trafficking and pressing a firearm, Mr. Watts cut his tether, fled the facility, and has since been charged with the murder of his former girlfriend. My office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe and hold criminals accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten in a statement.
However, Heather’s remains still have not been found.
Her loved ones have created a Facebook page entitled Help Us Find Heather Kelley to raise awareness about her case and encourage community members to come forward with tips. According to the page, there is also a $25,000 reward being offered for information that leads to her discovery.
At the time she vanished, Heather was five foot ten, weighed 130 pounds, and had blonde hair and brown eyes. She also had various tattoos, including a dream catcher on her left forearm and a rose and a lion on her right forearm.
If you have any information regarding her disappearance, you are urged to contact the Kalamazoo County Central Dispatch at (269) 488-8911.
