Chad Daybell trial live: Lori Vallow’s friend confronted with subpoena outside court in cult prophet case

Melanie Gibb, the former friend of Lori Vallow, was served with a subpoena during a break in Chad Daybell’s triple murder trial in Boise, Idaho on Thursday.

Daybell’s defence attorney John Prior told her she had to accept to the papers. Ms Gibb was called by the prosecution to testify in the case a year after she testified at Vallow’s trial about the couple’s extreme religious beliefs.

Daybell, 55, is on trial for the murders of Vallow’s children, Tylee Ryan, 16, and JJ, seven, as well as his then-wife Tammy Daybell, who died suddenly in her sleep in October 2019. Weeks later, Daybell married Vallow.

Nine months after the children were last seen, they were found on Daybell’s property in Rexburg, Idaho.

Prosecutors say his “desire for sex, power, and money” led to their murders. Mr Prior, however, said his client was manipulated by Vallow.

Last year, Vallow was convicted in the three murders and sentenced to life in prison. Jurors heard how she, Mr Daybell and her late brother Alex Cox were fuelled, in part, by their bizarre cult beliefs.

If convicted, Mr Daybell faces either the death penalty or life in prison.

Key points

• Who is Chad Daybell?

• What are the charges against Chad Daybell

• What is the bizarre ‘doomsday’ cult at centre of murders

• Uncle of Lori Vallow believes ‘cult mom’ would love to testify for husband Chad Daybell

What are Chad Daybell’s charges?

06:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Daybell was arrested on 9 June 2020 and booked into the Fremont County Jail after the remains of Lori Vallow’s children were found in his Rexburg, Idaho backyard.

He had left the house during the search as Rexburg Police, Fremont County Sheriff deputies and the FBI swarmed the property and began a dig that lasted for hours. But he was arrested a short time later.

Daybell has shown little to no emotion at his court appearances over the past four years.

On 21 March, he was transferred from Fremont County Jail to the Ada County Jail in Boise in preparation for his trial.

Daybell is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of the two children and the death of his former wife Tammy. He’s also charged with insurance fraud.

Prosecutors say that the couple conspired with Vallow’s brother Alex Cox to kill the children and Daybell’s wife both as part of their doomsday beliefs – but also to collect life insurance money, the kids’ social security and survivor benefits.

Chad Daybell’s suspicious Google searches exposed in court

01:00 , Andrea Cavallier

FBI Tactical Specialist Nicole Heideman testified in the Boise, Idaho courtroom that Mr Daybell searched Google for “ssw wind” and “what is the definition of ssw direction” from his Google account on 8 September 2019.

It’s believed Tylee was burned and buried in his yard the next day.

Mr Daybell also searched for malachite jewelry, which is the ring he gave Vallow, months before his then-wife Tammy’s mysterious death.

Just a few weeks after her death, Mr Daybell and Vallow got married on a beach in Hawaii.

Texts reveal Melanie Gibb told the prosecutor that she and Dateline’s Keith Morrison wanted to protect the LDS church

21:03 , Andrea Cavallier

The defence questioned Ms Gibb about her texts to prosecutor Wood, including one following her interview with Dateline’s Keith Morrison.

Ms Gibb says it was meant to clarify that these teachings Daybell and Vallow were engaged in were not consistent with the teachings of the LDS Church.

Prior reads the text Ms Gibb sent to Mr Wood:

“Keith, the guy from Dateline, and I want to make sure the church is protected. He has done a good job so far. That’s why I feel comfortable talking with him.”

“Why did you send that to a prosecuting attorney who is prosecuting Chad Daybell,” he says.

Ms Gibb says she felt comfortable talking to Rob to let him know what she was up to.

Defence asks Melanie Gibb about her 340 texts with prosecution in 2020

20:44 , Andrea Cavallier

Mr Prior asks Ms Gibb about her text messages between her and Prosecuting attorney Rob Wood.

“Would it surprise you to learn that between May 20 and November 4 of 2020 the two of you exchanged text messages over 340 times?” he asks.

Ms Gibb replies that it’s possible but she really doesn’t know.

Mr Prior asks if any time during her communication with Mr Wood she needed to protect a person or organization as part of whether or not she was going to testify.

Ms Gibb says her intent was not to protect anything other than to share what she knew.

Melanie Gibb testifies that Daybell said at religious conferences that wife Tammy Daybell was going to have a short life

20:33 , Andrea Cavallier

Lori Vallow’s former friend testified that Chad Daybell said at religious conferences – like the one where he met Vallow in 2018 – that wife Tammy Daybell was going to have a short life.

Tammy died suddenly in October 2018 of what was originally reported as natural causes.

Emergency dispatchers and first responders described how Chad Daybell appeared distraught when he reported Tammy’s death, telling authorities that he’d woken to find his wife’s body hanging halfway off of their bed after she’d spent part of the night coughing and vomiting.

He told the coroner that the 49-year-old school librarian had recently had fainting episodes and low blood pressure and that she sometimes had leg convulsions or seizures. Based in part on that information, it was determined Daybell had died of natural causes.

Authorities later grew suspicious and had the body exhumed for an autopsy, which determined Tammy died of asphyxiation.

Defence questions Melanie Gibb about visions and LDS faith

20:28 , Andrea Cavallier

Daybell’s defence attorney John Prior is conducting cross examination of Melanie Gibb.

Mr Prior asks about dreams and visions, but Gibb says she doesn’t have those experiences but her faith believes people can have them.

She says her husband has this gift and she believed, at one point, that Daybell would have dreams and visions.

Melanie Gibb testifies about how Chad Daybell labeled people as ‘light’ or ‘dark’

20:16 , Andrea Cavallier

The state asks about the recording of Chad Daybell making comments that Tammy Daybell was going to die.

Ms Gibb says when Tammy died in October 2019, she reached out to Vallow and it seemed like she already knew of the death.

Prior to Tammy’s death, Vallow said Tammy was supposed to continue her mission on the other side of the veil and Tammy would be OK with Vallow and Chad being together.

Ms Gibb says she heard from Vallow that Daybell referred to Tammy as “dark” at the end of September or early October 2019.

Who is Melanie Gibb?

20:07 , Andrea Cavallier

Melanie Gibb is Lori Vallow’s former best friend.

She has said they became friends at a church event in 2018 but that Vallow’s spiritual beliefs soon veered away from what they had been taught at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She testified at Vallow’s trial that Chad Daybell called her in November of 2019, warning her not to answer her phone if Rexburg police called because Vallow Daybell had told investigators JJ was visiting Ms Gibb in Arizona.

Ms Gibb later confronted Vallow about JJ’s whereabouts in a recorded phone call that was played in court then and again at Daybell’s trial.

Vallow claimed on the call that she was trying to protect her son because his grandmother, Kay Woodstock, was trying to “kidnap him.”

She then reassured Ms Gibb that JJ — who investigators believe had already been killed months earlier along with Tylee — was “safe and happy.”

ICYMI: Melanie Gibb confronted about relationship with Chad Daybell in secret recording

19:47 , Andrea Cavallier

During Lori Vallow’s trial last year, prosecutors played a phone conversation between Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell and her former best friend Melanie Gibb in court.

Daybell’s trial is now hearing the recording a year later.

Read more:

Lori Vallow confronted by best friend about JJ lies in secret recording

Melanie Gibb served with subpoena on trial break

18:58 , Andrea Cavallier

Melanie Gibb, the former friend of Lori Vallow, was in the hallway on a break during Chad Daybell’s murder trial, when a man served her with papers.

She refused to take them and defense attorney John Prior came out of the courtroom and told her she had to accept.

The prosecutors came out and said she can’t be served a subpoena while on the stand. It appears Prior wants Ms Gibb as a defence witness. The attorneys met with the judge in chambers briefly before testimony continued.

Lori Vallow’s former friend Melanie Gibb is on the stand

17:20 , Andrea Cavallier

The first witness to take the stand for the state on Thursday is Melanie Gibb.

Gibb was Lori Vallow’s former friend who was there when Vallow met Chad Daybell in October 2018.

She also testified at Vallow’s trial last year about the couple’s extreme religious beliefs.

Gibb said Vallow believed her kids were "zombies" and that her son, "JJ," was possessed by an evil spirit.

Detective gets emotional as he testifies about the last time Tylee Ryan used her card

Wednesday 17 April 2024 22:18 , Andrea Cavallier

Detective Kunsaitis became emotional on Wednesdayl while testifying about Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow’s final bank transactions months before their bodies were found buried on Chad Daybell’s property.

He said Tylee Ryan, 16, had been spending money daily in August of 2019 but then stopped.

Her card was used for the last time in person at a McDonald’s in St. George on 1 September 2019, while the family was moving to Idaho.

Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow inquired about leasing Hawaii property as couple with ‘no kids or pets’

Wednesday 17 April 2024 20:58 , Andrea Cavallier

Three days after Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow got married in Hawaii, they inquired about a property on the islands.

A document shown in court on Wednesday was an email from Chad.Daybell@gmail.com to Julie Black with Hawaii Dreams Realty on 8 November 2019.

“We are interested in seeing this property,” the email read. “Would the owners be interested in leasing this property to a clean couple with no kids or pets.”

Rexburg Police Detective Chuck Kunsaitis, who is on the witness stand, says at the time of the email, the children were missing.

Day 5 of testimony in Chad Daybell’s trial begins with new witness

Wednesday 17 April 2024 15:43 , Andrea Cavallier

Day five of testimony in Chad Daybell's trial is starting.

The first witness called by the prosecution today will be Rexburg Police Detective Chuck Kunsaitis.

Attorney Rob Wood is questioning him.

Watch live on Steven Judge Boyce’s livestream:

What did Chad Daybell search for before the murders?

Wednesday 17 April 2024 15:17 , Andrea Cavallier

The day before Lori Vallow’s 16-year-old daughter Tylee Ryan was burned and buried in a shallow grave on Chad Daybell’s Idaho property in 2019, the Doomsday author searched online about wind direction, his trial heard Tuesday.

FBI Tactical Specialist Nicole Heideman testified in the Boise, Idaho courtroom that Mr Daybell searched Google for “ssw wind” and “what is the definition of ssw direction” from his Google account on 8 September 2019.

It’s believed Tylee was burned and buried in his yard the next day.

Mr Daybell also searched for malachite jewelry, which is the ring he gave Vallow, months before his then-wife Tammy’s mysterious death. Just a few weeks after her death, Mr Daybell and Vallow got married on a beach in Hawaii.

Defence attorney John Prior argued that Mr Daybell’s searches were not as suspicious as they appeared to be. He argued his client had texted Tammy about “burning limbs” around the same time he was searching for wind direction.

Mr Prior also told the court that the pair may have been having an affair, and looking up wedding items, but that doesn’t make him a murderer.

Mr Prior also pointed out there were no searches on life insurance for children - which was found in Lori Vallow’s Google searches as presented to court.

He asked Ms Heideman: “There’s no email or search on ‘let’s kill two children’ is there?”

Ms Heideman responded there is not.

RECAP: Chad Daybell’s affair exposed in emails, trial hears ‘cult’ author blessing Alex Cox, and officer testifies that he recommended Daybell for Charles Vallow’s death

Tuesday 16 April 2024 23:30 , Andrea Cavallier

Chad Daybell’s affair with Lori Vallow was exposed in emails and text messages read in court at the doomsday cult author’s triple murder trial.

Detective Nathan Duncan, who investigated the 2019 shooting death of Vallow’s fourth husband, Charles Vallow, revealed how Charles confronted Vallow about the affair.

He texts Vallow and tells her, “she better explain” or he will contact Daybell’s then-wife Tammy.

Charles sent an email to Tammy’s work email on 29 June 2019 that said he had some “vital and disturbing” information about her husband and his wife.

“I apologize to be the one sending this but something has to be done. I feel it’s best if I shed some light on this issue,” he told her.

Another email has the subject: “Your husband and my wife…” and the email continues: “are having an affair. I have definite proof. If you care to see it, contact me.”

Det Duncan says Charles sent emails to Tammy but there is no indication she looked at the emails or received them before her death.

The detective later said he believed Alex Cox did not act alone in the shooting death of Charles Vallow. He said he recommended Daybell for charges in connection to Charles’ death, however, he has not been charged.

The court also heard a recording of Daybell giving a patriarchal blessing to Alex Cox.

Daybell says as the Second Coming approaches, Cox will know when it’s time to move to the other side. His spirit will leave his body and he will be welcomed by the Savior.

Alex Cox died two weeks later on 12 December 2019.

What is a patriarchal blessing?

Tuesday 16 April 2024 21:52 , Andrea Cavallier

A patriarchal blessing includes a declaration of a person’s lineage in the house of Israel and contains personal counsel from the Lord, according to churchofjesuschrist.org.

As a person studies his or her patriarchal blessing and follows the counsel it contains, it will provide guidance, comfort, and protection.

Patriarchal blessings are used in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Chad Daybell gives patriarchal blessing to Alex Cox two weeks before he died

Tuesday 16 April 2024 21:14 , Andrea Cavallier

A recording is played in court of Mr Daybell giving a patriarchal blessing to Lori Vallow’s brother Alex Cox two weeks before he died.

The recording was found on Vallow’s iCloud.

Patriarchal blessings are used in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Det Duncan says he has some basic knowledge of the church and that a stake patriarch is authorized to give a patriarchal blessing.

Mr Daybell was not authorized to give blessings.

The recording from November 2019 reveals Mr Daybell crying while giving the blessing. A woman’s voice was heard in the video and Duncan said he believed it to be Vallow.

Daybell tells Alex Cox that great warriors and powerful goddesses were needed.

“You were selected to help protect your sister. You helped her in numerous probations to be a defender.”

Daybell tells Cox that he has already assisted him and Vallow “in ways you can never be repaid.”

“Well done. Thy soul is cleansed. All is well,” Daybell says.

He blesses Cox with knowledge and says he will now move forward as a true warrior in ways that can be demonstrated through physical action and spiritual power.

Daybell tells Cox that he will be known throughout the world for his good heartedness and willingness to save souls all over the world through portals.

“You will begin to gather the souls who come until Christ. I see you in New Jerusalem but more importantly I see you as a messenger of the Lord.”

Cox will be a prophet and share his own experiences of overcoming adversity, Daybell says. He tells Cox he will give tremendous blessings to people and “raise their vibrations.”

Daybell says as the Second Coming approaches, Cox will know when it’s time to move to the other side. His spirit will leave his body and he will be welcomed by the Savior.

Alex Cox died two weeks later on 12 December 2019.

Chad Daybell calls funeral home using fake name day after Charles Vallow’s death

Tuesday 16 April 2024 20:57 , Andrea Cavallier

Mr Daybell gave the name “Dabal,” said his uncle had just passed and asked about shipping a body from Arizona to Louisiana and cremating it.

He said his uncle’s name was John Myron DABEL.

“We just had a death in the family, and we really don’t want anything but a cremation, and then to send the cremains to the family in Louisiana. Just a simple, no, nothing other than a cremation and sending him to his family for a service in Louisiana. Is there any way to know a ballpark price on that?”

The funeral home says it would be roughly $2,000 for transportation of the body, the price of cremation and other fees. Mr Daybell says he’s going to call a few other funeral homes and get back to them.

Chad Daybell compares himself to Harry Potter in 2019 text

Tuesday 16 April 2024 20:39 , Andrea Cavallier

The jury was shown bombshell emails and text messages between Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell as they embarked on an affair prior to allegedly conspiring to kill people in their way.

In one bizarre message, Mr Daybell compared himself to Harry Potter.

“I’m a grown-up version of Harry Potter, who has to live with the Dudleys in his little space under the stairs,” he wrote in July 2019.

“Every few weeks I get to escape and have these amazing adventures with my Goddess lover, but then I have to return to my life under the stairs feeling trapped.”

Hearing held on motion to prevent defence calling prosecutor as witness

Tuesday 16 April 2024 20:35 , Andrea Cavallier

A hearing is being held on the state’s motion to prevent the defence from calling prosecutor Rob Wood as a witness.

Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake says a defence attorney can call a prosecutor in a case but it’s disfavored and should be disclosed well in advance of a trial.

Mr Prior says “I do not attend to call Mr Wood”

He explains that the state gave him 342 emails and texts between Mr Wood and Melanie Gibb regarding the case and that he should be able to ask her about the communication.

He said he is going to ask Ms Gibb about her contact with Mr Wood.

“If she can’t remember it, he says every legal right to show her the emails to refresh her memory,” he said.

‘Spear through my heart’: Lori Vallow texts Chad Daybell about insurance policy on Charles Vallow

Tuesday 16 April 2024 18:45 , Andrea Cavallier

Lori Vallow texted Chad Daybell on 18 July 2019 about getting a letter from the insurance company saying she is not the beneficiary.

At the time Charles was killed, she believed she was getting insurance money.

“It’s a spear through my heart. Who do you think he changed it to? Brandon? Or probably Kay?”

Kay Woodcock is Charles Vallow’s sister and JJ’s grandmother.

“Wow. That’s terrible. There is no way to find out?” and she responds no.

He then says: “I love you. This is terrible but it is probably another step in bringing down the Gadiantons, especially Brandon.”

The text continues: “It will be interesting if it got changed after he had two bullets in his chest.”

Another text later shows that Lori wrote to Chad: “So I talked to the insurance company. He changed it in March. So it was probably Ned before we got rid of him. They can’t tell me to who of course but it’s done. I still get the $4,000 a month from SS [social security].”

Charles Vallow confronts Lori Vallow about affair

Tuesday 16 April 2024 18:35 , Andrea Cavallier

In a message from Charles to Lori on 3 June 3, 2019, he says “There really is something wrong with you. You have to be exposed for what you are.”

Charles tells Lori he’s going to Idaho to meet Tammy but Lori says she won’t listen to him because Tammy is her friend.

Text messages were shown to the court between Charles and Adam Cox around 7:30am the day Charles was shot – 11 July 2019.

Charles was shot and killed shortly after these messages were sent.

Detective reads emails of Charles Vallow confronting Chad Daybell

Tuesday 16 April 2024 18:27 , Andrea Cavallier

The detective now reads emails that Charles Vallow sent to Chad Daybell confronting him about the fake email allegedly sent by Charles and the affair with Lori Vallow.

“Either you or Lori need to tell me what’s going on or this will be exposed for all to see. Regards, Charles Vallow,” he wrote.

He continued: “And does your wife know you have several of Lori’s dance videos? She sent them to you at your request in January. Explain how that is in any way appropriate.”

Charles Vallow tells Tammy Daybell of spouses’ affair

Tuesday 16 April 2024 18:21 , Andrea Cavallier

Charles sent an email to Tammy’s work email on 29 June 2019 that said he had some “vital and disturbing” information about her husband and his wife, Det Duncan testified.

“I apologize to be the one sending this but something has to be done. I feel it’s best if I shed some light on this issue,” he told her.

Another email has the subject: “Your husband and my wife…” and the email continues: “are having an affair. I have definite proof. If you care to see it, contact me.”

Det Duncan said he is not clear if Tammy saw the email or not.

Charles Vallow confronts ‘evil’ Lori about affair

Tuesday 16 April 2024 18:16 , Andrea Cavallier

In messages shown to the court, Charles Vallow confronts Lori about the affair with Chad Daybell.

He calls her email and says that he has Tammy Daybell’s contact info and will tell her everything.

Det Duncan tells Lori that “she better explain” and has until noon to explain or he will contact Tammy.

He says Charles sent emails to Tammy but there is no indication she looked at the emails or received them before her death.

Charles tells Lori that he emailed Tammy and that “their game is u.”

He then adds: “Please stop spending money on the credit cards. I appreciate it.”

Detective testifies about Charles Vallow’s cell phone data

Tuesday 16 April 2024 18:12 , Andrea Cavallier

The state displays a presentation called “Charles Vallow’s Cell Phone Extraction Data.”

Det Duncan reads an email purportedly from Charles to Chad Daybell inviting him to visit Arizona and that he will pay him to be a ghostwriter for his book.

The email was found by Charles and the first indication that she was having an affair with Charles.

“All indications in Charles’ phone is that this letter was fictitious and not created by him,” Det Duncan says.

Bracelets honoring Tammy, Tylee, JJ handed out at trial

Tuesday 16 April 2024 18:01 , Andrea Cavallier

Bracelets with the names of Tammy Daybell, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow were handed to spectators outside of court on Tuesday as testimony continued in Chad Daybell’s trial.

Similar bracelets were passed out among supporters last year at Lori Vallow’s trial.

A Celebration of Life service will be held for Tylee and JJ on 27 April.

Court is now on morning break

Tuesday 16 April 2024 17:16 , Andrea Cavallier

Judge Steven Boyce dismissed the court for morning break.

Court will resume in 30 minutes.

Detective Duncan will return to the stand.

Charles Vallow’s phone was centre of argument with Lori day of shooting, detective says

Tuesday 16 April 2024 17:15 , Andrea Cavallier

Detective Duncan testified that he had determined that Charles Vallow’s phone was the catalyst of an argument that happened between him and Lori Vallow on the day he was shot by Alex Cox in Chandler, Arizona.

Lori Vallow left with his phone after the shooting and later returned it to police who did an extraction.

Detective said indentation on floor indicated Charles Vallow was shot while lying on the ground.

Tuesday 16 April 2024 17:08 , Andrea Cavallier

Detective Duncan said indentation on floor indicated Charles Vallow was shot while lying on the ground.

Alex Cox told police he was standing in the southwest corner of the living room and that he and Charles Vallow were face to face with each other when he shot Charles twice while they were standing up.

However, Duncan testified says that as police were cleaning up the scene, he noticed an indentation in the floor that would have been consistent with Charles being shot while lying on the ground.

Detective says amount of blood was not consistent with CPR claims

Tuesday 16 April 2024 17:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Detective Duncan is describing what he saw when he arrived at the Chandler home in response to the shooting of Charles Vallow on 11 July 2019.

Lori Vallow’s brother Alex Cox made the 911 call. He said he shot Charles in self-defence after Charles struck him with a baseball bat.

It was claimed that Alex Cox had done CPR on Charles.

But the detective testified that he did not see a lot of blood, and he says he would expect more more blood if CPR had been done as claimed.

Next witness is Arizona detective who investigated Charles Vallow’s death

Tuesday 16 April 2024 16:53 , Andrea Cavallier

The next witness to take the stand is Detective Nathan Duncan.

He was the Chandler, Arizona officer who investigated the shooting death of Charles Vallow.

This investigation led to Lori Vallow to be indicted on a charge of conspiracy to commit murder.

No searches on killing children, defence claims

Tuesday 16 April 2024 16:39 , Andrea Cavallier

Prior is going through Daybell’s searches and points out there were no searches on life insurance for children - which was found in Lori Vallow’s searches as presented to court.

He asks Heideman:

“There’s no email or search on ‘let’s kill two children’ is there?”

Heideman responds there is not.

Defence says Daybell texted wife about burning limbs day after checking wind conditions

Tuesday 16 April 2024 16:33 , Andrea Cavallier

Derfence attorney John Prior pointed out on cross with Heideman that Daybell sent text to his wife Tammy Daybell on 9 September, that he was going to “burn some limbs in the yard.”

This was a day after he searched the wind direction, Prior said.

Heideman had testified that Daybell searched for “ssw wind” and “what is definition of ssw direction” on 8 September 2019.

She said this was important to the investigation because investigators believe that Tylee Ryan, 16, was killed, and that her remains were burned and buried on Daybell’s property the next day.

Defence asks why searches don’t include Melanie Gibb or David Warwick

Tuesday 16 April 2024 16:23 , Andrea Cavallier

Daybell’s defence attorney is cross examining Heideman about his client’s google searches.

He asks why the searches don’t include Melanie Gibb or David Warwick.

Gibb and Warick were around on the day JJ Vallow died, as was Vallow’s late brother Alex Cox.

Heideman said she doesn’t write the search warrants.

Daybell searched for wind direction day before Tylee Ryan was burned, buried on his property

Tuesday 16 April 2024 16:18 , Andrea Cavallier

Heideman testified that Daybell searched for “ssw wind” and “what is definition of ssw direction” on 8 September 2019.

She said this was important to the investigation because investigators believe that Tylee Ryan, 16, was killed, and that her remains were burned and buried on Daybell’s property the next day.

Other searches included “Ned Schiender” which Heideman said was an entity name for Charles Vallow, Lori Vallow’s fourth husband who said she had referred to him as that name, according to police reports. The name also showed up on her gmail account.

Another search of Daybell’s account revealed the word “hiplos” which Heideman said is another entity name for Charles Vallow, replacing Ned Schiender.

Chad Daybell searched for malachite wedding bands for Lori Vallow months before death of his wife, FBI Specialist testified

Tuesday 16 April 2024 16:11 , Andrea Cavallier

FBI Tactical Specialist Nicole Heideman testified about her search of Daybell and Vallow’s online searches from October 2018 - 2020.

Heideman said that on 5 May 2019, Daybell searched for malachite ebay and malachite jewelry. She said Daybell and Vallow’s wedding bands were made of malachite. They were married less than three weeks after Tammy Daybell died.

At the point they were searching for malachite, Tammy was still alive.

Testimony resumes in Chad Daybell’s trial

Tuesday 16 April 2024 15:36 , Andrea Cavallier

Court is back in session as testimony resumes for a fourth day.

FBI Tactical Specialist Nicole Heideman, who began her testimony yesterday, will be back on the stand this morning.

Watch the proceedings on Judge Steven Boyce’s livestream:

JJ’s grandfather rocks socks featuring slain boy’s favorite Queen song in court

Tuesday 16 April 2024 14:40 , Andrea Cavallier

In court on Monday, JJ Vallow’s grandfather, Larry Woodcock, was wearing socks that featured his slain grandson’s favorite song by Queen.

The photo was posted on social media by the Pretty Lies And Alibis account, a podcast hosted by GiGi.

Last year, at Lori Vallow’s trial, Mr Woodcock regularly played JJ’s song “We will rock you,” before and after court and blasted it for all to hear outside the courthouse after Vallow was convicted in the murders.

RECAP: Chad Daybell tells his daughter ‘I’m not coming back’

Tuesday 16 April 2024 13:00 , Andrea Cavallier

On Monday, prosecutors played video from the police cruiser that showed Chad Daybell in the back seat of a police car talking to his daughter Emma who tearfully told her dad, “I love you so much.”

Daybell was being detained after the bodies of Lori Vallow’s children were found buried on his property in June 2020.

“Yeah, I’m not coming back,” he told his daughter in the never-before-seen video footage that was played for the jury in his triple murder trial.

Read more:

Chad Daybell trial resumes today

Tuesday 16 April 2024 12:00 , Andrea Cavallier

The triple murder trial of Chad Daybell resumes today with more testimony.

Nicole Heideman, FBI Tactical Specialist, will return to the stand.

Court will begin at 10.30am ET.

Celebration of Life to be held for JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan

Tuesday 16 April 2024 11:00 , Andrea Cavallier

A Celebration of Life will be held on 27 April to honor Joshua “JJ” Vallow and Tylee Ryan.

JJ’s grandparents, Larry and Kay Woodcock, will be hosting the memorial at the Colonial Theater in Idaho Falls, according to EastIdahoNews.com.

“It’s going to be a celebration of two children whose lives were taken way too early,” Larry Woodcock told the outlet.

“We have so many wonderful friends here – friends that we’ll have for a lifetime – and we think it’s time to appreciate the lives of Tylee and JJ.”

The bodies of Tylee and JJ were found on Chad Daybell’s property in June 2020. Their remains were released to family at the end of last year.

Visitation hours will be from 11am-1pm MT followed by a service from 1 to 2pm.

The memorial will be streamed on EastIdahoNews.com.

What we know about the Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell ‘cult’ murder case

Tuesday 16 April 2024 09:00 , Andrea Cavallier

With ‘cult mom’ Lori Vallow jailed for life for the murders of her children and her spouse’s first wife and Chad Daybell now on trial, Rachel Sharp delves into the deeply disturbing tale of murders, unexplained deaths and apocalyptic cult beliefs.

What we know about the Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell ‘doomsday cult’ murder case

What charges does Chad Daybell face?

Tuesday 16 April 2024 07:00 , Andrea Cavallier

• Murder of Tammy Daybell

• Murder of Joshua “JJ“ Vallow

• Murder of Tylee Ryan

• Conspiracy to commit murder of Tammy Daybell

• Conspiracy to commit murder and grand theft in the death of Joshua “JJ“ Vallow

• Conspiracy to commit murder and grand theft in the death of Tylee Ryan

Who was Tammy Daybell?

Tuesday 16 April 2024 05:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Tammy was the former wife of Chad Daybell. On 19 October 2019, the healthy 49-year-old died suddenly in her sleep.

Despite the mysterious circumstances, her husband declined an autopsy and her death was ruled from natural causes.

Less than three weeks later, he married Lori Vallow.

It was only after her two children were reported missing weeks later – and authorities began delving into Vallow and Daybell, their sudden remarriage and bizarre cult beliefs – that questions began being asked about her death.

Investigators exhumed her body for an autopsy in December 2020 and found that Tammy had died “at the hands of another and died of asphyxiation.“

In a shocking moment revealed at Vallow’s trial, Daybell had predicted his wife Tammy would soon be dead.

Daybell is charged with murder in relation to her death, as well as the murders of Vallow’s two children. He’s also charged with conspiracy to commit murder for all three deaths.

Vallow was found guilty of conspiracy to kill Tammy, with prosecutors alleging that the couple conspired with Vallow’s brother, Alex Cox.

Court sees video of Chad Daybell telling his daughter ‘I’m not coming back’

Tuesday 16 April 2024 02:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Chad Daybell calmly talked to his adult daughter about handling finances and other family matters as he was detained on the day investigators found the remains of Lori Vallow’s two children buried in the backyard of his Idaho property.

“Yeah, I’m not coming back,” Mr Daybell told his daughter Emma in never-before-seen video footage that was played for the jury in his triple murder trial on Monday.

Read more:

Video: Officer describes finding remains of Chad Daybell’s stepdaughter

Tuesday 16 April 2024 01:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Nicole Heideman - FBI Tactical Specialist - is next witness

Monday 15 April 2024 21:52 , Andrea Cavallier

Court is back in session following the afternoon break.

The prosecution calls Nicole Heideman, FBI Tactical Specialist, to the stand.

She also testified in Lori Vallow’s trial last year.

Ms Heideman will be the last witness of the day.

Celebration of Life to be held for JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan

Monday 15 April 2024 21:30 , Andrea Cavallier

A Celebration of Life will be held on 27 April to honor Joshua “JJ” Vallow and Tylee Ryan.

JJ’s grandparents, Larry and Kay Woodcock, will be hosting the memorial at the Colonial Theater in Idaho Falls, according to EastIdahoNews.com.

“It’s going to be a celebration of two children whose lives were taken way too early,” Larry Woodcock told the outlet.

“We have so many wonderful friends here – friends that we’ll have for a lifetime – and we think it’s time to appreciate the lives of Tylee and JJ.”

The bodies of Tylee and JJ were found on Chad Daybell’s property in June 2020. Their remains were released to family at the end of last year.

Visitation hours will be from 11am-1pm MT followed by a service from 1 to 2pm.

The memorial will be streamed on EastIdahoNews.com.

Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow were holding hands at Hobby Lobby 12 days after Tammy Daybell died

Monday 15 April 2024 21:15 , Andrea Cavallier

On redirect, Wixom asks Lt Powell if he was aware the kids were missing - which he replied yes. He then asks Lt Powell if he was aware Daybell and Vallow were together at the time of the exhumation. He said yes.

He was made aware of Tammy Daybell’s death on 19 October 2019.

Daybell and Vallow were spotted holding hands at Hobby Lobby 12 days later – on 1 November 2019.

Defence questions Lt Powell about ‘digging Tammy out of the ground’

Monday 15 April 2024 21:00 , Andrea Cavallier

In cross-examination, Daybell’s defence attorney John Prior shows the court Tammy Daybell’s death certificate and asks if Lt Powell had looked at it. He says he did not.

“You went to a judge to have her dug out of the ground and you didn’t even once look at the certificate of death!?” Prior asks.

Lt Powell responds, “Nope.”

Lt Powell testifies that Tammy Daybell ‘appeared to be healthy’ so he got a warrant for exhumation

Monday 15 April 2024 20:51 , Andrea Cavallier

Lt Powell testified that he ran Tammy’s name through a law enforcement prescription program to find out if she was on any medicine.

She was on Tramadol, which is for pain, and Fluoxetine, an antidepressant.

Lt Powell says when dealing with unattended death cases, it’s typical to get medical records. He says Tammy’s past medical history is pretty normal other than depression.

“She appeared to be healthy so I got a warrant for exhumation,” Lt Powell says.

Tammy Daybell’s aunt wipes tears from eyes as autopsy photo is show in court

Monday 15 April 2024 20:45 , Andrea Cavallier

Vicki Hoban, the aunt of Tammy Daybell, is in the courtroom wiping her tears as an autopsy photo of Tammy is shown to the jury.

Larry and Kay Woodcock, the grandparents of slain 7-year-old JJ Vallow, are also in the courtroom today.

Watch: New video shows Chad Daybell telling daughter ‘I’m not coming back’

Monday 15 April 2024 19:20 , Andrea Cavallier

Court on lunch break

Monday 15 April 2024 19:10 , Andrea Cavallier

Court is on lunch break for an hour.

Proceedings will resume at 3pm ET.

Lt Joe Powell is still under oath and will return to the stand following break.

Lieutenant testifies about surveillance on Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow

Monday 15 April 2024 19:06 , Andrea Cavallier

Lt Joe Powell testified about the surveillance he was conducting on Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow.

He was at Vallow’s apartment on Pioneer Road when he saw Daybell leaving on the morning of 1 November 2019.

He followed Daybell to Mountain America Credit Union and then lost him so went back to the apartment. They then followed Vallow to the post office in Sugar City, then to Walgreens and then followed both Vallow and Daybell as they left the apartment, went to a credit union in Idaho Falls and then to Hobby Lobby and Cafe Rio.

A photo was shown in court of Daybell and Vallow holding hands as they walked into Hobby Lobby. Another photo was of the couple eating inside Cafe Rio.

Fremont County Lt. Joe Powell Joe is testifying

Monday 15 April 2024 18:54 , Andrea Cavallier

The next witness for the state is Fremont County Lt. Powell Joe.

On  31 October 2019, Lt Powell got a call from law enforcement in Arizona inquiring about Tammy Daybell’s death.

The investigators asked for a copy of the death report.

Detective says Daybell looked over in direction of fire pit where Tylee’s remains were. later found

Monday 15 April 2024 17:47 , Andrea Cavallier

Detective Wheeler testified that while Chad Daybell was in the back of the patrol car, he had looked over in the direction of the fire pit where Tylee’s remains were later found.

At the time Daybell was being detained, only JJ’s body had been found.

‘We are independent - I’m not Colby,’ Daybell’s daughter says during his arrest

Monday 15 April 2024 17:43 , Andrea Cavallier

As Chad Daybell is being detained while investigators dig up the bodies of Lori Vallow’s children, he tells his daughter Emma that neighbors will be talking.

Court saw the new video footage from the patrol car on Monday.

She tells him the neighbors are already talking.

“We’re ok dad. We’re ok. You raised us so we are independent now. I’m not Colby,” she said, apparently referring to Colby Ryan, Lori Vallow’s son.

Daybell tells her “it will work out” and she tells him she’s going to miss him.

Daybell and daughter discuss location of remains

Monday 15 April 2024 17:32 , Andrea Cavallier

Emma tells her dad she asked the police where they found the human remains. At this point, only JJ’s remains had been found.

She said police told her the remains were found near the pond, under the tree and that there were boards over it. When Daybell responds, “OK,” Emma then says, “I can see in your face that it surprises you.”

Daybell also tells Emma that he talked to Lori for a few minutes just before he was being detained, and Emma asked if she was surprised.

“She seemed bothered and disturbed,” he says.

Court hears that Daybell’s daughter was in contact with jailed Lori Vallow

Monday 15 April 2024 17:28 , Andrea Cavallier

As Chad Daybell instructs his daughter Emma to use Telmate to communicate with him, she tells him that she has an account because she has been talking with Lori Vallow, who had already been arrested.

In the police video, Emma asks if things can be sent from Amazon to the jail and Dyabell responds that Lori would know the Amazon account. He says he has around $265 in gift certificates in his Amazon account.

Chad Daybell tells his daughter ‘I’m not coming back’

Monday 15 April 2024 17:25 , Andrea Cavallier

As Daybell discusses finances with his daughter, Emma, she promises to take care of things the best she can.

He tells her the house is essentially hers and that he will talk to John Prior about financial arrangements.

“I’m not coming back,” he says.

Court sees video of Chad Daybell detained in cop car

Monday 15 April 2024 17:14 , Andrea Cavallier

During Det Wheeler’s testimony, the state plays a video from his patrol car that shows Daybell talking to his daughter Emma after he’s been detained at his house.

He has not been formally arrested at this point.

Det Wheeler had testified just before he was put in the cop car, there were multiple times he saw Daybell looking “awkwardly“ over his shoulder toward where the investigators were searching and cadaver dogs were working on the property.

Emma comes up to the side of the car and is crying as she says “I love you so much“ and gives her dad a hug.

Daybell goes over finances with Emma and says she will be running his finances “I suppose.“

He tells her there is about $9,000 in a middle drawer in Mark’s room and also gives her the password to his bank account. He says his company business card is in the same drawer as the $9,000.

Updated camera angle shows better view of Chad Daybell

Monday 15 April 2024 16:38 , Andrea Cavallier

After numerous complaints about the court’s live stream feed over the past two weeks, it has been updated and improved for the third week of testimony.

Chad Daybell’s trial is being live streamed on Judge Boyce’s YouTube channel.

The camera angles previously showed the entire court, the judge and the witness on the stand.

Now there is a camera pointed directly at the defence table to show Daybell and his attorney John Prior.

Another angle is pointed at the courtroom and the state, while the others are at the witness and the judge.

Detective Eric Wheeler is now on the stand

Monday 15 April 2024 16:18 , Andrea Cavallier

Detective Eric Wheeler is now testifying for the state.

He said he has worked for the Rexburg Police Department for 18 years.

He was a patrol officer in 2020 when the remains of the children were found on Chad Daybell’s property.

Det Wheeler’s role was to maintain safety and security while investigators conducted the search of Tylee and JJ.

Court hears jail phone calls between Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow

Monday 15 April 2024 16:05 , Andrea Cavallier

Deputy Kaaiakamanu explains he oversees the Telmate phone/video system that inmates use in the jail.

One of the calls is entered into evidence and it’s played in court.

Lori Vallow calls Chad Daybell and asks enthusiastically, “Hey babe. Are you OK?”

“They’re searching the property,” he responds.

“The house right now?” she asks.

“Yes. Yes,” Daybell says. “So Mark Means will be talking to you.”

Mark Means is their former attorney.

Vallow asks if they are in the house. Daybell says no and says they are on the property.

When Vallows asks if they are seizing stuff again, he responds, “They’re searching.”

Daybell says: “I’m glad you called. We’ll see what transpires.”

“K. What do you want me to do? Pray?” she says.

“Yeah, pray. And...yeah,” he says and then tells her to call Mark.

She asks if she can call him later, and he says “I don’t know. I don’t know. You can try. I’ll answer if I can.”

They exchange “I love yous” and the call ends.

State calls former Fremont County deputy to testify

Monday 15 April 2024 15:48 , Andrea Cavallier

The prosecution has called Vincent Kaaiakamanu, Chief Deputy of Madison County Sheriff’s office, to the stand on Monday.

He was with the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office at the time of the murders.

Watch live: Chad Daybell’s triple murder trial enters third week

Monday 15 April 2024 15:36 , Andrea Cavallier

The trial of Chad Daybell is entering its third week with more testimony.

It is being livestreamed on Judge Steven Boyce’s YouTube channel:

Judge rules defence cannot reference Alex Cox and Joseph Ryan incidents

Monday 15 April 2024 15:34 , Andrea Cavallier

In a hearing held before the jury was brought in and before spectators were seated, Judge Steven Boyce ruled that Chad Daybell’s defence attorney John Prior cannot reference the incidents involving Joseph Ryan and Alex Cox.

Joseph Ryan was Lori Vallow’s third husband and the father of Tylee. He was found dead in April 2018 and his death was ruled a heart attack. However, his case was reopened after Vallow’s fourth husband Charles Vallow was killed. But no foul play was suspected.

Alex Cox is Lori Vallow’s late brother. In 2007, he reportedly used a taser on Joseph Ryan in the midst of a custody dispute. But the judge ruled that Mr Prior cannot bring up these incidents.

Spectators line up outside courthouse for Chad Daybell’s trial

Monday 15 April 2024 15:03 , Andrea Cavallier

The charges against Chad Daybell

Monday 15 April 2024 13:00 , Andrea Cavallier

• Murder of Tammy Daybell

• Murder of Joshua “JJ” Vallow

• Murder of Tylee Ryan

• Conspiracy to commit murder of Tammy Daybell

• Conspiracy to commit murder and grand theft in the death of Joshua “JJ” Vallow

• Conspiracy to commit murder and grand theft in the death of Tylee Ryan

RECAP: Detective describes horror of finding Tylee and JJ’s remains

Monday 15 April 2024 12:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Rexburg police detective Rey Hermosillo took the court through the horrific process of digging up the remains of Tylee, 16, and JJ, seven, who were found buried on Chad Daybell’s property.

Spectators at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho noticed the “doomsday cult” author start to tremble as the gruesome pictures were shown to the jury.

Det Hermosillo says they could only work for a few minutes because the smell was so bad.

As they dug deeper, they found bone fragments and “globs of burnt flesh starting to protrude through the dirt.”

A green object was found and started to take a “roundish shape” and “at that point we saw what appeared to be the shape of a green melted bucket that appeared to have the remains of what we assumed was Tylee charred and burned inside that bucket.”

Tylee’s remains were collected and put into a body bag.

“The smell was horrendous,” the detective said.

Court resumes today in Chad Daybell trial

Monday 15 April 2024 11:00 , Andrea Cavallier

The trial of Chad Daybell resumes today with the state’s next witness.

It will begin at 8.30 MT / 10.30 ET.

The identity of this witness is not yet known.

Last week, Det Hermosillo was the state’s first witness. He was dismissed for the time being, but remained under subpoena to appear later in the proceedings.

ICYMI: Lawyers make opening remarks in Chad Daybell trial

Monday 15 April 2024 09:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Who was Joshua ‘JJ' Vallow?

Sunday 14 April 2024 02:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Joshua “JJ” Vallow was last seen on 23 September 2019. In the last known picture of him, he is wearing red pyjamas – the same ones he was wearing when his remains were found nine months later. He was seven years old.

Lori Vallow and her fourth husband Charles adopted JJ in 2014. JJ is also the biological grandson of Charles Vallow’s sister Kay Woodcock.

Ms Woodcock, who was the first witness in Vallow’s tria last year, told jurors that JJ was born with some disabilities and was diagnosed with autism.

After Charles Vallow died, Ms Woodcock said she feared Vallow no longer wanted the boy.

JJ was attending Kennedy Elementary School in Rexburg, Idaho before Vallow informed them he would not be returning and that he would be homeschooled.

In November, Ms Woodcock requested a welfare check on the boy, which sparked a nationwide search.

During Vallow’s trial, Ms Woodcock and her husband Larry sobbed as graphic evidence was shown to the court.

The grandparents were regulars at the trial and as it neared the end, Mr Woodcock could be found playing “The Party’s Over” while lined up outside the court before blaring “We Will Rock You” inside.

Both songs held a special personal meaning to him and his grandson JJ and they would often sing them together, he said.

“Today is the day,” he told journalists outside the court, dressed in a “World’s Greatest Papa” t-shirt. “I’m not the world’s greatest papa… but I hope I was the world’s greatest papa to JJ and Tylee.”

Who was Tylee Ryan?

Saturday 13 April 2024 21:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Tylee Ryan, 16, was the daughter of Lori Vallow and her third husband, Joseph Ryan.

She was described by family members as “loving, and constantly laughing,” according to KPVI.

Tylee also loved spending time with her friends and watching “The Office,” but “more than anything” she loved hanging out with little brother JJ and older brother Colby Ryan, the outlet reported.

“She’s so witty … even for adults, like, she would have me laughing,” Echo Itaaehau, a family friend, told KTVK. “She could be sassy, but just super sweet and tender-hearted.”

Tylee spent most of her life in Arizona, but a week before going missing, she had moved from Arizona with her family to Rexburg, Idaho.

She was last seen on 8 September 2019, on a trip to Yellowstone National Park with JJ, her mother and Cox. A photo of the children and Cox is now widely circulated.

Who was Tammy Daybell?

Saturday 13 April 2024 17:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Tammy was the former wife of Chad Daybell. On 19 October 2019, the healthy 49-year-old died suddenly in her sleep.

Despite the mysterious circumstances, her husband declined an autopsy and her death was ruled from natural causes.

Less than weeks later, he married Lori Vallow.

It was only after her two children were reported missing weeks later – and authorities began delving into Vallow and Daybell, their sudden remarriage and bizarre cult beliefs – that questions began being asked about her death.

Investigators exhumed her body for an autopsy in December 2020 and found that Tammy had died “at the hands of another and died of asphyxiation.”

In a shocking moment revealed at Vallow’s trial, Daybell had predicted his wife Tammy would soon be dead.

Daybell is charged with murder in relation to her death, as well as the murders of Vallow’s two children. He’s also charged with conspiracy to commit murder for all three deaths.

Just ahead of Daybell’s trial, Tammy’s family released a statement:

Who is Chad Daybell? Gravedigger, ‘doomsday’ author... now, killer?

Saturday 13 April 2024 09:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Chad Daybell dug graves while he was a student at Brigham Young University and worked as a cemetery sexton in Utah for almost 20 years.

He told the Deseret News in 1992 that he believed digging graves helped him through school.

Daybell later founded his own publishing company, Spring Creek Book Company.

He authored several fiction and nonfiction books – many of them doomsday books loosely based on the teachings centered around The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He married his first wife Tammy in 1990 and they founded Spring Creek Book Company together in Utah – the company which published his doomsday books.

The couple had five children together and moved to Salem, Idaho, in 2015.

Among his teachings, he claimed he could teleport, could see into the future, see dead people, and that he and Vallow were part of the chosen 144,000.

Who is Lori Vallow and did a doomsday cult really drive her to murder her children?

Saturday 13 April 2024 05:00 , Andrea Cavallier

At Lori Vallow’s trial last year, prosecutors pinned her motive in the murders of her children on three pillars of a ‘cult playbook’: Power, money and sex.

But a survivor of one of America’s most notorious cults tells Rachel Sharp we may never know if a cult truly drove Vallow to kill.

Did a doomsday cult really drive Lori Vallow to murder her children?

Lori Vallow’s sister says she’s been ‘delusional’ for years

Saturday 13 April 2024 03:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Lori Vallow’s sister Summer Shiflet said the “cult mom” has been delusional for years.

Her comments came after Vallow’s sentencing last summer.

At the sentencing, Vallow spoke out for the first time, claiming that “Jesus Christ knows no one was murdered” and that the children and Tammy were “busy” and “happy” in heaven.

“I have known she’s been in this delusion for a while. It took me a long time to accept that and understand what was going on,” Ms Shiflet said.

“I had never seen anybody with a delusion disorder before. I didn’t know how to process that or what it looked like (but) that’s about typical of most conversations with her. It’s about her faith and there’s never any acknowledgment of what actually happened. You can’t ever really get any answers so it leads to frustrating situations.”

Who are Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow? Key players in the ‘doomsday cult’ murder case

Saturday 13 April 2024 01:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Chad Daybell is now on trial for the murders of his wife Tammy Daybell and Lori Vallow’s children JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan – almost one year after Vallow was convicted in the slayings.

JJ, seven, and Tylee, 16, went missing back in 2019, their remains later found buried on the grounds of Mr Daybell’s Chad property in Idaho.

One month after the children were last seen, Mr Daybell’s first wife Tammy, 49, died suddenly and Vallow and Mr Daybell jetted off and got married on a beach in Hawaii.

Prosecutors said that the couple conspired with Vallow’s brother Alex Cox to kill JJ, Tylee and Tammy as part of their doomsday cult beliefs – but also so they could collect life insurance money and the kids’ social security and survivor benefits.

Read about the bizarre and tragic case here:

Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow: Who are the key players in ‘doomsday cult’ murder case?

Juror from Lori Vallow’s trial shares his thoughts about Chad Daybell case

Friday 12 April 2024 23:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Chad Daybell’s children will testify at his murder trial

Friday 12 April 2024 21:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Chad Daybell’s adult children have mostly stayed out of the spotlight in the wake of their father’s arrest in the death of their mother Tammy Daybell and Lori Vallow’s two children.

But almost all of them will testify in his death penalty case in his defence.

Daybell’s attorney John Prior said in opening statements that they will detail their mother’s “health struggle” before her sudden death in 2019.

Daybell had told police his wife had died suddenly in her sleep after battling an illness, but an autopsy later revealed she died of asphyxiation.

“They’re going to talk about their mother’s use of various medical treatments she would use—oils she would put on her leg, medicine, and different herbs she would take, and that their mother was suffering from a number of maladies, and she would refuse to see a doctor,”Mr Prior said said on Wednesday.

Read more:

Chad Daybell’s children will take the stand in their father’s defence

RECAP: Detective describes gruesome discovery of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan

Friday 12 April 2024 19:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Rexburg Detective Ray Hermosillo testified on Thursday about finding Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow’s remains buried on Chad Daybell’s property.

He said investigators took turns digging because the smell of decomposition was so bad.

Graphic photos of the remains were shown in court, but not on the livestream. Daybell reportedly began to tremble during the testimony, court spectators said.

JJ was found in a bag that was “wrapped in dark plastic with duct tape around it.” He was still in the red pyjamas he was last seen wearing with duct tape wrapped around his head, over his mouth, and around his wrists, arms and ankles. Det Hermosillo said there were scratch marks on his neck and bruises.

After the boy’s body was taken to the morgue, Det Hermosillo returned to the site and said they uncovered “globs of burnt flesh starting to protrude through the dirt” that were later determined to be Tylee Ryan’s charred remains.

“At that point, we saw what appeared to be the shape of a green melted bucket that appeared to have the remains of what we assumed was Tylee charred and burned inside that bucket,” he said.

JJ’s grandmother Kay Woodcock and Tammy Daybell’s aunt Vicki Hoban were not in courtroom on Thursday for the testimony. However, JJ’s grandfather Larry Woodcock, was spotted in the gallery.

Reminder: No court today in Chad Daybell’s trial

Friday 12 April 2024 17:35 , Andrea Cavallier

There will be no court today in Chad Daybell’s triple murder trial.

Detective Hermosillo finished his testimony for the state on Thursday.

The next witness is not yet available, so court will be in recess until Monday.

VIDEO: Prosecutor says Chad Daybell’s 'desire for sex, power, and money’ led to triple murder

Friday 12 April 2024 13:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Chad Daybell visibly shakes while graphic photos of children’s remains are shown

Friday 12 April 2024 11:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Daybell was shaking at the defence table as graphic photos of Lori Vallow’s children’s remains were shown at his death penalty trial on Thursday.

Rexburg police detective Rey Hermosillo took the court through the horrific process of digging up the remains of Tylee, 16, and JJ, seven, who were found buried on Daybell’s property.

Spectators at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho noticed the “doomsday cult” author start to tremble as the gruesome pictures were shown to the jury.

During opening statements this week, prosecutors said Daybell’s “desire for sex, power, and money led to the murders” of his former wife Tammy Daybell and the children of his new wife Lori Vallow, and that he sought to eliminate “obstacles” in pursuit of a life with Vallow.

Daybell’s defence attorney John Prior, however, said his client was manipulated by Vallow.

What are the charges against Chad Daybell?

Friday 12 April 2024 09:00 , Andrea Cavallier

• Murder of Tammy Daybell

• Murder of Joshua “JJ” Vallow

• Murder of Tylee Ryan

• Conspiracy to commit murder of Tammy Daybell

• Conspiracy to commit murder and grand theft in the death of Joshua “JJ” Vallow

• Conspiracy to commit murder and grand theft in the death of Tylee Ryan

ICYMI: Lawyers make opening remarks in Chad Daybell trial

Friday 12 April 2024 05:00 , Andrea Cavallier

RECAP: Graphic evidence about children’s remains first heard at Lori Vallow’s murder trial

Friday 12 April 2024 03:00 , Andrea Cavallier

“Cult mom” Lori Vallow was convicted of murdering her two youngest children in a case that shocked the nation with its bizarre doomsday cult ties and the tragic deaths of almost everyone close to the mother-of-three and her new husband Chad Daybell.

Shocked jurors were shown images of JJ’s body found in the shallow grave – still dressed in the red pyjamas.

Now Daybell is on trial and a different jury is hearing all the jarring evidence against the couple.

Read more:

Lori Vallow case summary: Key revelations from ‘cult mom’s’ murder trial

Who will defend Chad Daybell? His children are expected to testify

Friday 12 April 2024 00:00 , Andrea Cavallier

He’s accused of killing their mother but Chad Daybell’s adult children will take the stand in their father’s defence at his triple murder trial.

Daybell told police his wife Tammy Daybell had died suddenly in her sleep after battling an illness, but an autopsy later revealed she died of asphyxiation and he was charged with her murder.

Defence attorney John Prior said during opening statements on Wednesday morning in Boise, Idaho the children will testify about their mother’s ongoing health issues, the home remedies she would try, and her refusal to see a doctor.

Read more:

Chad Daybell’s children will take the stand in their father’s defence

Will Lori Vallow testify? Here’s what her uncle says

Thursday 11 April 2024 23:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Court dismissed until Monday

Thursday 11 April 2024 21:44 , Andrea Cavallier

Detective Hermosillo is dismissed for now and court has ended for the day.

The next witness is not yet available, so there will be no court on Friday.

Court will resume on Monday with day three of testimony in Chad Daybell’s trial.

Defence focuses on Alex Cox during cross of detective

Thursday 11 April 2024 20:40 , Andrea Cavallier

Prior asks Detective Hermosillo about the days following Tammy Daybell’s death.

“Three days after Tammy Daybell dies, Alex Cox is still sharpening knives,” he says, and Hermosillo says this is correct.

Cox is Lori Vallow’s late brother. He died of natural causes.

Prior then makes a point of saying the knives and guns were found at the home of Alex Cox, not with Vallow or Daybell.

Defence to continue cross on detective when court resumes

Thursday 11 April 2024 20:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Court is on a lunch break, but will resume around 3.10pmET.

Just before court was dismissed for lunch, Chad Daybell’s defence attorney John Prior was cross examining Rexburg police detective Rey Hermosillo.

Mr Prior attempted to discredit the investigation while placing the blame on others, including Lori Vallow and Alex Cox.

Spectators say Daybell was ‘shaking’ as graphic photos were shown

Thursday 11 April 2024 17:35 , Andrea Cavallier

During a court break, several spectators told local reporters that they noticed Chad Daybell shaking while graphic photos were being shown in court.

The jurors are being shown graphic evidence from when JJ and Tylee’s remains were found buried in Daybell’s backyard.

One woman told East Idaho News’ Nate Eaton that it looked like he had never seen the images before.

Court will resume shortly.

Who was Tylee Ryan?

Thursday 11 April 2024 17:30 , Andrea Cavallier

Tylee Ryan, 16, was the daughter of Lori Vallow and her third husband, Joseph Ryan.

She was described by family members as “loving, and constantly laughing,” according to KPVI.

Tylee also loved spending time with her friends and watching “The Office,” but “more than anything” she loved hanging out with little brother JJ and older brother Colby Ryan, the outlet reported.

“She’s so witty … even for adults, like, she would have me laughing,” Echo Itaaehau, a family friend, told KTVK. “She could be sassy, but just super sweet and tender-hearted.”

Tylee spent most of her life in Arizona, but a week before going missing, she had moved from Arizona with her family to Rexburg, Idaho.

She was last seen on 8 September 2019, on a trip to Yellowstone National Park with JJ, her mother and Cox. A photo of the children and Cox is now widely circulated.

Who was Joshua ‘JJ' Vallow?

Thursday 11 April 2024 17:13 , Andrea Cavallier

Joshua “JJ” Vallow was last seen on 23 September 2019. In the last known picture of him, he is wearing red pyjamas – the same ones he was wearing when his remains were found nine months later. He was seven years old.

Lori Vallow and her fourth husband Charles adopted JJ in 2014. JJ is also the biological grandson of Charles Vallow’s sister Kay Woodcock.

Ms Woodcock, who was the first witness in Vallow’s tria last year, told jurors that JJ was born with some disabilities and was diagnosed with autism.

After Charles Vallow died, Ms Woodcock said she feared Vallow no longer wanted the boy.

JJ was attending Kennedy Elementary School in Rexburg, Idaho before Vallow informed them he would not be returning and that he would be homeschooled.

In November, Ms Woodcock requested a welfare check on the boy, which sparked a nationwide search.

During Vallow’s trial, Ms Woodcock and her husband Larry sobbed as graphic evidence was shown to the court.

The grandparents were regulars at the trial and as it neared the end, Mr Woodcock could be found playing “The Party’s Over” while lined up outside the court before blaring “We Will Rock You” inside.

Both songs held a special personal meaning to him and his grandson JJ and they would often sing them together, he said.

“Today is the day,” he told journalists outside the court, dressed in a “World’s Greatest Papa” t-shirt. “I’m not the world’s greatest papa… but I hope I was the world’s greatest papa to JJ and Tylee.”

Family of JJ Vallow, Tammy Daybell not in court for graphic evidence

Thursday 11 April 2024 16:46 , Andrea Cavallier

Kay Woodcock, the grandmother of slain JJ Vallow, and Vicki Hoban, the aunt of Tammy Daybell, were not at the Ada County Courthouse on Thursday, according to local reporters.

The family members have been in court all week and for much of Lori Vallow’s trial last year, but their absence at today’s proceedings indicated that it was going to be a tough day.

Detective Hermosillo is currently recounting finding the children’s remains and graphic photos are being shown to the jurors, but not in court.

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