Lori Vallow trial – live: Tylee’s DNA found on pickaxe at Daybell home as photos show body hacked and burned

Oliver O'Connell and Rachel Sharp

The trial of “doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow is underway in Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, where the mother-of-three is accused of killing her two youngest children and her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife.

The 49-year-old is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, and grand theft over the deaths of her daughter Tylee Ryan, 16, son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and Mr Daybell’s first wife Tammy, 49.

Tylee and JJ were last seen alive in September 2019. In June 2020, their remains were found buried on the Daybell property. Tammy died one month after their disappearance in October 2019.

There is huge interest in the case’s string of mysterious deaths and murders, and the related bizarre cult beliefs of those involved. Ms Vallow allegedly also conspired to murder her fourth husband Charles Vallow and is charged separately in a case in Arizona.

On Thursday, jurors heard details about the examination of Tylee’s remains including impact marks from where she was struck with what transpired to be a pickaxe. Traces of her blood were also found on the tool.

In addition, fingerprint analysis showed prints on the bag in which JJ was wrapped matched those of Lori’s brother, Alex Cox.

Key points

Day 18: What to expect in court today

11:34 , Rachel Sharp

Lori Vallow’s trial is set to resume at 8.30am local time on Friday in Boise, Idaho.

Tammy Daybell’s sister will return to the stand to continue to give testimony for the prosecution.

Samantha Gwilliam testified on Thursday that she saw her sister about two weeks before her death and she was in good health.

She then got a call from Chad Daybell telling her that her sister had died.

Judge Steven Boyce announced on Thursday that the court day will be shorter than usual, wrapping up by 1.30pm MT with no lunch break.

JJ had date rape drug in his system as shocking cause of death revealed in court

11:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Lori Vallow’s seven-year-old son JJ Vallow had the date rape drug GHB in his system when he was smothered to death with plastic bags around his head, according to harrowing testimony from a pathologist.

Shocking details about JJ and his sister Tylee Ryan’s causes of death were revealed for the first time on Wednesday in Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, where their mother is on trial for their murders.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Lori Vallow trial told JJ had date rape drug GHB in system as cause of death revealed

Did Lori Vallow accidentally make a key confession?

10:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Lori Vallow’s high-profile trial took an unexpected turn this week when jurors heard a dramatic jailhouse phone call in which the “doomsday cult mom” appeared to make a key confession about her children’s murders.

The distressing call between the accused killer and her sister Summer Shiflet on 20 June 2020 was played in Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, on Tuesday.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Did Lori Vallow make a key confession about children’s deaths in a jail call?

Profile: Lori Vallow

09:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Lori Vallow is a mother of three, a former game show contestant, a Mrs Texas Beauty Pageant contestant and a cult follower. But is she also a killer? Rachel Sharp reports.

Lori Vallow: Who is the ‘cult mom’ on trial for her children’s murders?

What you need to know about the Lori Vallow Daybell ‘doomsday cult’ murder trial

08:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Rachel Sharp delves into the deeply disturbing tale of suspected murders, unexplained deaths and apocalyptic cult beliefs about killing zombies which surrounds Lori Vallow and her doomsday author husband Chad Daybell.

What we know about the Lori Vallow Daybell ‘doomsday cult’ murder trial

Who are the key players in the Lori Vallow trial?

07:30 , Oliver O'Connell

In a case that spans multiple states, there are a myriad of people that play important roles in uncovering the tragic events behind the mysterious deaths and murders. Here’s a who’s who of the major characters named in court.

Who are the key players in Lori Vallow’s trial?

Bizarre moments from Lori Vallow’s murder trial

05:30 , Oliver O'Connell

As with most trials, beyond the testimony, there have also been some bizarre happenings taking place inside the courtroom, as Rachel Sharp reports.

Bizarre moments from Lori Vallow’s murder trial

Lori Vallow accused of treating her children’s bodies ‘like garbage’ in devastating call with sister

03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The trial of “doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow has been played a devastating jailhouse call in which her sister accused her of throwing her murdered children “away like garbage.”

An Idaho court heard Summer Shiflet sobbing uncontrollably in audio of a video call she made with her sister as she sat behind bars on 24 June 2020.

In the call, Ms Shiflet told her sister that Tylee and JJ’s bodies had been found in Ms Vallow’s backyard, with Tylee’s being discovered in a pet cemetery.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Vallow trial hears devastating call with sister after discovery of children’s bodies

Chilling internet searches and trove of burner phones revealed at murder trial

01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Chilling internet searches have revealed that “doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow shopped for life insurance policies for her children two months before they were murdered and buried on her new lover Chad Daybell’s property.

FBI analyst Nicole Heideman took the stand at Ms Vallow’s murder trial in Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, on Monday to testify about the shocking discoveries on the 49-year-old’s cellphones, email addresses and online search history.

Rachel Sharp has the details.

Cult mom Lori Vallow’s chilling internet searches revealed

Lori Vallow’s cousin reveals haunting fear about Tylee and JJ’s murders

Thursday 27 April 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Lori Vallow’s estranged cousin has revealed one of her most haunting fears about the murders for which the so-called “cult mom” is currently on trial.

Megan Eyden, whose father is Ms Vallow’s uncle, spoke out about the bombshell case in an interview with NewsNation’s Ashleigh Banfield aired Friday night.

Megan Sheets reports.

Lori Vallow’s cousin reveals haunting fear about children’s murders

Thursday 27 April 2023 22:23 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Boyce adjourns for the day.

The trial will resume at 8.30am MT.

Thursday 27 April 2023 22:22 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Gwilliam had seen her sister just two weeks before and she had been fine. She was taking clogging classes and preparing to run in a race. They were planning Tammy’s 50th birthday. It was odd she visited alone. Chad told her to go.

Tammy never said she was suspicious that Chad was having an affair, but she noticed a change in June 2019 — “something seemed off with them when they stayed with us and Chad wouldn't converse with my husband”.

In July, Tammy showed up with Ms Gwilliam’s birthday present. She gave it to her on the porch and only stayed about 20 minutes. Chad did not get out of the car and they showed up unannounced.

“It was really weird.”

Thursday 27 April 2023 22:19 , Oliver O'Connell

The morning Tammy died, Chad called Ms Gwilliam and said Tammy had been really sick “and that she had been coughing all night. She had gotten up with a coughing fit around midnight and went back to sleep. He was awakened by her that morning when she rolled out of bed dead.”

Thursday 27 April 2023 22:18 , Oliver O'Connell

The court is shown a picture of Tammy and Ms Gwilliam is asked about her relationship with her sister.

“We were far enough that we didn’t fight but close enough that we got along really well.”

They spoke every day and did everything together with their children. She liked Chad, he treated her sister well, and he was good friends with her husband, Jason.

Tammy and Chad lived two blocks away from the Gwilliams in Springville, Utah and they saw each other every day. Tammy did not want to move to Idaho but Chad had the idea they needed to move.

When they lived in Utah, Tammy worked as a special ed secretary and was very good with computers. Chad was part of the cemetery grounds crew and dug graves.

New witness: Samantha Gwilliam, Tammy Daybell’s sister

Thursday 27 April 2023 22:14 , Oliver O'Connell

The final witness of the day is Samantha Gwilliam, Tammy Daybell’s sister.

As she is classified as a witness, she has been allowed to watch other witness testimony.

Prosecutor Lindsey Blake asks Ms Gwilliam if the police contacted her about a pet cemetery on Tammy’s property. Ms Gwilliam says yes and she knew where it was because Tammy had shown her the cemetery.

She describes a little dog statue that was put at the pet cemetery after her niece’s dog died. Blake now shows a picture of the property and asks Ms Gwilliam to point out where the pet cemetery was on the property.

She says Tammy loved animals, and while an introvert she “loved people and loved taking care of them. She loved her grandkids.”

Thursday 27 April 2023 22:07 , Oliver O'Connell

Jim Archibald begins cross-examination by asking if the police asked for all of the satellite photos from the company.

Det Kunsaitis says they did but only four high-resolution images were usable. They paid $1,500 for the images.

Archibald asks if there is any indication of smoke or fire from 9 September image. Det Kunsaitis says no.

On the same day that Tylee was burned and buried at the property, Chad Daybell sent Tammy Daybell a text that he was having a fire to burn limb debris and had shot and buried a raccoon.

"Have you been able to tell if Tylee was burned there on the property or burned somewhere else and transported to the property?" Archibald asks.

"I'm not going to speculate. I just know when we moved her remains, you could smell the fuel so that's what I can speak to,” Det Kunsaitis replies.

No further questions.

A quick follow-up from Woods establishes that the firepit was obscured by cloud in the satellite image.

Thursday 27 April 2023 22:01 , Oliver O'Connell

The images are shown to the court and Det Kunsaitis points out the various landmarks on the property using a laser pointer — the shed, pond, pet cemetery etc.

Pic 1 — 27 August 2019 at 12.33pm — Overhead of property. No evidence the fire pit had been used.

Pic 2 — 2 September 2019

Pic 3 — 9 September at 12.32pm — On the day that Tylee was buried on the property, there is a significant discolouration where the pet cemetery is located. The image was taken less than an hour after Alex Cox is known to have left the property.

Det Kunsaitis says that discoloured area is where they found Tylee.

Repeat witness: Detective Chuck Kunsaitis, Rexburg PD

Thursday 27 April 2023 21:48 , Oliver O'Connell

Detective Chuck Kunsaitis of the Rexburg Police Department is recalled to the witness stand, having testified earlier in the trial about aiding in the recovery of Tylee’s remains from Chad Daybell’s backyard.

He obtained satellite imagery of Chad’s residence having seen a news report about it following the recovery of the bodies. In late July 2020, they were still monitoring social media sites and saw the story on KSL.

Det Kunsaitis contacted the company featured in the story and requested images of Chad’s backyard from 1 August through the end of October 2019. Police received four images from the satellite imagery company.

Thursday 27 April 2023 21:27 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Boyce calls for the afternoon break.

The trial will resume in approximately 20 minutes.

Thursday 27 April 2023 21:17 , Oliver O'Connell

Martinez testifies that in processing prints found on the black plastic bag and tape used to bind JJ, she found an usable print that matched the right little finger of Lori Vallow’s brother, Alex Cox.

Another print on the bag was of his right palm.

No further questions.

Thursday 27 April 2023 21:07 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Martinez tested the bag with the grey duct tape that had been around JJ’s head. A lot of the duct tape was attached to itself and so she had to take it apart. During this, some hairs were collected.

Other bags and duct tape from JJ’s mouth were also tested as well as part of the green plastic from the bucket.

There were no prints on the white bag from around JJ’s head. There were prints on the duct tape on the black plastic. No prints from the duct tape on JJ’s mouth. There were prints on the duct tape from his feet but not from his hands.

Thursday 27 April 2023 21:01 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Martinez was asked by Rexburg Police to obtain prints from JJ Vallow.

She was then asked to obtain fingerprints, footprints, and hair samples from Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell. She also obtained fingerprints of Alex Cox which were on-file in police departments in Arizona.

New witness: Tara Martinez, Idaho State Police

Thursday 27 April 2023 20:55 , Oliver O'Connell

The next witness is Tara Martinez of the Idaho State Police. She also conducted DNA tests on the case.

She processes items of evidence to develop latent prints and responds to crime scenes and has worked in the lab for seven years.

Latent prints are those that cannot be seen by the naked eye but are left behind by some people if they sweat or produce more amino acids. The surface on which they are left also plays a factor, for example, if it is dusty or dirty.

Thursday 27 April 2023 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Defence attorney John Thomas begins cross-examination with questions about Ms Dace’s experience and training.

Moving on to the hair found on the duct tape, Thomas asks how it was delivered to her.

She replies that it came inside an autopsy bag. Asked if the fair could have been floating around the body and become attached to the tape, she admits it is a possibility.

Thursday 27 April 2023 20:36 , Oliver O'Connell

Trace evidence from the duct tape used to bind JJ was sent to another lab for testing. There were hairs collected from the samples.

No further questions from the prosecution.

Thursday 27 April 2023 20:28 , Oliver O'Connell

Photographs of the tools are shown to the court with Ms Dace explaining what each is and whether she was able to get a viable DNA sample.

DNA found on a shovel matched Tylee.

When investigating material found at the end of a pick axe was also tested and returned a partial DNA profile. The DNA was female and Tylee was a potential contributor.

Two parts of the handle of the pick axe tested positive for blood. The DNA matched Tylee.

Thursday 27 April 2023 20:11 , Oliver O'Connell

When it came to testing the tools from the Daybell property, Ms Dace testifies: “[I] found several presumptive positive blood stains on the tools and on several of the tools I found what could be charred flesh.”

They were photographed and samples were taken for DNA testing.

New witness: Katie Dace, Idaho State Police

Thursday 27 April 2023 20:08 , Oliver O'Connell

Court resumes with a scheduling note from Judge Steven Boyce that proceedings need to finish 10 minutes early today (at 3.20pm MT) and will end early tomorrow at 1.30pm MT.

The next witness on the stand is Katie Dace, a forensic biologist with the Idaho State Police. She received swabs from JJ’s autopsy as well as swabs from the townhome in Rexburg. She was sent the chain and pendant and 18 tools from the Daybell property to analyse.

Ms Dace also did testing on the duct tape from JJ’s body in case whoever put the tape on him tore off the tape with their mouth and left DNA traces.

Decomposition fluid was all over the surface of the tape and plastic. They did not test it since they were trying to find DNA from a perpetrator.

The chain and pendant tested negative for blood.

There was a swab from a knife at the Rexburg townhome which was also negative, and blood on the wall of the townhome was a weak positive.

Court hears how killer tried to chop up Tylee’s body

Thursday 27 April 2023 19:49 , Oliver O'Connell

Lori Vallow’s daughter’s killer tried to chop up her body with a hatchet or cleaver before burying her burned bones and organs on Chad Daybell’s property, according to disturbing courtroom testimony.

FBI Agent Douglas Halepaska, a forensic examiner in the firearms and tool marks division, testified at the doomsday cult mom’s murder trial on Thursday morning about the injuries found on 16-year-old Tylee Ryan’s skeletal remains.

He described how Tylee’s hip bones and sacrum (the bone at the base of the spine) had injuries and fractures caused by a “chopping-type action”.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Lori Vallow trial hears killer tried to chop up Tylee’s body with ‘hatchet, cleaver’

Lori Vallow has become ‘different person’, says family

Thursday 27 April 2023 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Lori Vallow’s cousin has said that she has become a “totally different person” to the woman she grew up with.

Christie Lott told East Idaho News that she has lots of happy memories growing up with Ms Vallow but now sees her in a totally different light as she attends her triple-murder trial.

“We are getting our own answers and we are getting to see that Lori is a totally different person,” she said.

“It’s hard because we love her but I feel like I’m saying goodbye to her. I don’t have to think about her anymore. It’s like a funeral for Lori.”

However, she said the family is thankful for all the support they from the public.

“I’m very grateful for all the people going through the process that have to see these things and are willing to talk about it in the trial,” she said.

“I hope justice is served to the best of its ability. I don’t think Lori should be out on the street with normal people.

“It’s going to be up to God what happens to her and I think that will be more satisfying to us than anything that can happen here at the courthouse.”

Thursday 27 April 2023 18:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Boyce calls lunch.

The trial will resume at 1pm MT.

Thursday 27 April 2023 18:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Tests confirm with 99.9999% certainty that Dennis Trahan is the father of JJ Vallow based on a sample from his molar, which still had “plump vessels inside”.

No further questions and no cross-examination.

Thursday 27 April 2023 18:47 , Oliver O'Connell

Tests confirm with 99.9999% certainty that Lori Vallow is the mother of Tylee Ryan based on a sample from her molar.

Thursday 27 April 2023 18:44 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Nowlin explains the process of collecting DNA and how controls are built into the system.

She says she was given samples from both Tylee and JJ — molars and a section of rib.

*Dennis Trahan is JJ’s biological father.

New witness: Rylene Nowlin, Idaho State Police

Thursday 27 April 2023 18:35 , Oliver O'Connell

The next witness is Rylene Nowlin, lab manager of the Idaho State Police’s forensics department.

Prosecution attorney Rob Wood is questioning her.

She says she has testified approximately 85 times in the past regarding DNA analysis over the course of 20 years and has tested thousands of DNA samples.

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