Relatives: Bodies found are 2 kids missing since September

A booking photo provided by the Rexburg (Idaho) Police Department shows Chad Daybell, who was arrested Tuesday, June 9, 2020, on suspicion of concealing or destroying evidence after local and federal investigators searched his property, according to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said they uncovered human remains at Daybell's home Tuesday as they investigated the disappearance of his new wife's two children — a case that's drawn global attention for its ties to two other mysterious deaths and the couple's doomsday beliefs. (Rexburg Police Department via AP)

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Relatives of two children missing since September said Wednesday that the bodies of two kids uncovered in rural Idaho are the young boy and his big sister, whose mother and her husband are behind bars in the case that has seized global attention.

Authorities have not released the identities of the bodies discovered on the property of Chad Daybell, who married the children’s mother, Lori Vallow Daybell, a few weeks after the kids were last seen.

But Joshua “JJ” Vallow’s grandfather Larry Woodcock told the Post Register in Idaho Falls that “both children are no longer with us,” also referring to 17-year-old Tylee Ryan.

Extended family members of both children sent a joint statement to Phoenix television station KSAZ-TV confirming the deaths and asking for privacy.

It’s another grim turn in a case that had dragged on for months without answers, captivating people with its ties to the couple’s doomsday beliefs and the mysterious deaths of their former spouses.

But developments were rapid this week: Investigators searched Chad Daybell’s property for evidence, they found children’s remains, and prosecutors charged him with destroying or concealing two sets of human remains.

Daybell’s attorney, John Prior, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. A judge set bail at $1 million during a short hearing.

Police began searching for Tylee and JJ — who was 7 when he vanished — in November after Woodcock and other relatives raised concerns. Police say the couple lied to investigators about the children’s whereabouts before quietly leaving Idaho and being found in Hawaii months later.

In court documents, Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood said he believes Chad Daybell either concealed or helped hide the remains knowing that they were about to be used as evidence in court. Wood said the first body was hidden or destroyed sometime on or after Sept. 8 — the last known day that Tylee was seen — and the second on or after Sept. 22, the last known day that JJ was seen.

A document that details the reasons behind the charges isn’t available to the public. Wood asked to have it sealed, saying it could compromise the criminal investigation. The prosecutor also noted how much media attention the case has received and said keeping the document secret would help preserve Daybell’s right to a fair trial.

Lori Daybell already has been charged with child abandonment and obstructing the investigation and is in jail on $1 million bond. Her attorney has indicated she intends to defend herself against the charges, and she is scheduled for a preliminary hearing next month.

Besides the missing children, the couple also have been under scrutiny following the deaths of both of their former spouses.

The complex case spans several states and began with Lori Daybell’s brother shooting and killing her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in suburban Phoenix last summer in what he asserted was self-defense. Vallow was seeking a divorce, saying Lori believed she had become a god-like figure who was responsible for ushering in the biblical end times. Her brother, Alex Cox, died in December of an apparent blood clot in his lung.

Shortly after Vallow’s death, Lori and the children moved to Idaho, where Chad Daybell lived. He ran a small publishing company, putting out many fiction books he wrote about apocalyptic scenarios loosely based on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also recorded podcasts about preparing for biblical end times, and friends said he claimed to be able to receive visions from “beyond the veil.”

He was married to Tammy Daybell, who died in her sleep last October of what her obituary said were natural causes. Authorities grew suspicious when Chad Daybell married Lori just two weeks later, and they had Tammy Daybell’s body exhumed in December. The results of that autopsy have not been released.

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9 Comments

  • Joseph Smith June 10, 2020 at 5:12 pm Reply

    Mormon people will look at this kook and his girlfriend like they went “crazy” and left the flock. But WAKE UP CALL MORMONS (And all other religions for that matter) these crazy beliefs are no crazier than your own. WISE UP! All of your “beliefs” were made up. Grow up. Deal with your problems and your life instead of pushing some wacky theology. It’s like living among a world of mentally ill people.

    • Free Bird June 10, 2020 at 7:00 pm Reply

      We are living in a world of mentally ill people, they are called liberals.

  • kim m June 11, 2020 at 9:01 am Reply

    Every one has a right to their own beliefs,if we want to believe in Christianity that’s our choice,although it should not be “pushed” on others.People need to realize that if someone is not interested in you’re beliefs then leave them alone.This couple DID go crazy and left the flock,there is no other explanation.Its sad but we ARE living in a world of people that are mentally ill!With all due respect i had to laugh when I saw you’re name was Joseph Smith!

  • Joseph Smith June 11, 2020 at 1:08 pm Reply

    Everyone does have their right to their own beliefs. I can’t argue that. But the fact that so many people make decisions based on a 14 year old who had visions and found plates that only he could read – with the help of a magic rock…there is a problem. Sounds kind of loony when I write it down. But that’s the basic premise. Can you imagine if any 14 year old boy that you know came home and told you that?!? You’d have him committed. And people build their lives on the premise. They tell homosexuals that they aren’t equal. They tell women that only men hold special powers – so women are less than. But they do it in a loving way, with a soft, kind voice. Love the sinner. Serve thy master. Haha. Cute!

    • Blayne June 12, 2020 at 11:48 pm Reply

      Sorry you got your feelings hurt by someone at church, but get over it. To paint an entire group of people with one broad stroke shows your stupidity and ignorance. Is Moses and the burning bush a more believable story to you? Let’s use your same dumb logic and insult as many people as we can: I saw black lives matter people on tv looting and burning buildings. Black lives matter stands for violence, correct?

      • Joseph Smith June 13, 2020 at 8:50 am Reply

        I don’t think your example really worked, smart guy. And if you would have read my comments above, I’m not just talking about the Mormons, anyone believing and formulating their decisions based on supernatural premise would apply. You’ve been duped. And I’m not upset at Mormons. Most of my closest friends are lds. I’m just speaking fact.

        • Blayne June 15, 2020 at 2:20 pm Reply

          So science and the big bang theory makes more sense to you? You’re not speaking fact, you’re a joke.

  • kim m June 12, 2020 at 3:43 pm Reply

    I understand how “different” that scenario sounds.Who knows what lies after this life are what kind of existance we will have.I hope it’s lovely and peaceful.The world surely would be better if people would focus on kindness and not being judgemental towards others,not what “category” we fit in.I don’t know about you but sometimes i think racism and judgement towards people who love the same sex is worse now than in the 60s and 70s.It seems like back then people minded their own business about homosexuality more than they do now.Granted there were some terrible riots and murders back then towards them,for sure.I was born in 68 and when i was a kid we had a male pastor that liked men romantically.This was in a very small town,in Idaho.He would bring his “friend” to church activities and everyone just acted nice and minded their own business,my parents never even mentioned his romantic preferances.Besides that a lot of people that have had ancestors in America for the last 400 years are suprised when they get their dna and learn they have African,Spanish,or Native American dna.They should be proud to have an interesting dna!

  • Joseph Smith June 15, 2020 at 5:04 pm Reply

    Kim – you seem like a terrific person. I agree – we need more kindness.

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