Remains on Chad Daybell’s property are ‘of children.’ Family says it’s Lori Daybell’s kids
Chad Daybell has been officially charged with two felony counts of concealment or destruction of evidence, according to a criminal complaint, and family members say that the human remains found on his property in Fremont County belong to Joshua “JJ” Vallow and Tylee Ryan, the children of Daybell’s wife, Lori Vallow Daybell.
Chad Daybell was arrested Tuesday after authorities excavated a section of his property and discovered the remains. Rexburg Police Assistant Chief Gary Hagen confirmed that two bodies were buried, and prosecutor Rob Wood said during a hearing Wednesday that they were the “remains of children.”
Authorities have not released positive identification, but Kay Woodcock, JJ’s grandmother, confirmed to EastIdahoNews.com that authorities have told her one set of the remains belongs to JJ. The Post Register in Idaho Falls reported that JJ’s grandfather, Larry Woodcock, said the remains are of JJ and Tylee. Neither child has been seen since September; JJ was 8 years old when he disappeared, and Tylee was 17.
Officials said positive identification would be made and released after an autopsy of the remains.
Chad Daybell’s younger brother and Tylee Ryan’s aunt also issued statements about Daybell’s arrest and the remains. Daybell is in the Fremont County Jail on $1 million bail, which Magistrate Judge Faren Eddins set during Wednesday’s hearing.
Matt Daybell and his wife, Heather, said in a statement to EastIdahoNews.com that “some in our extended family are still struggling to accept the reality that Chad could have been involved in something so terribly wrong.”
Tylee Ryan’s aunt, Annie Cushing, issued a statement saying, in part, “Thank you for the overwhelming outpouring of love for Tylee and JJ throughout this crisis. My family and I eagerly await the results of the identification of the remains and autopsies.”
Authorities said they were continuing to investigate at the property Wednesday.
After hearing arguments, Eddins set Daybell’s bail high — and at the same amount that was set for Lori Vallow Daybell three months ago. Prosecutor Rob Wood had asked for the bail of $1 million, saying Chad Daybell had a “strong incentive to flee.” Defense attorney John Prior argued for a much smaller amount, noting that the maximum sentence for the crimes Daybell is charged with is only 5 years on each count.
The first felony count in the criminal complaint alleges that Daybell hid, altered, or destroyed human remains on his property between Sept. 8, 2019, and June 9, 2020. The second count says Daybell hid, altered, or destroyed human remains on his property between Sept. 22, 2019, and June 9, 2020.
The two September dates correspond with the last time JJ and Tylee were seen. Lori Daybell is sitting behind bars in connection to their disappearance. She is in the Madison County Jail.
In the weeks following the children’s disappearance, Chad’s previous wife, Tammy Daybell, died, and he married Lori Vallow on the beaches of Kauai, Hawaii.
Both Chad and Lori are under investigation by the Idaho Attorney General’s Office for possible conspiracy, attempted murder and murder in connection to the death of Tammy Daybell.
Tuesday’s search of the Daybell home involved the Rexburg Police Department, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. It was not the first time investigators visited the home on North 1900 East. On Jan. 3, the same agencies raided the home and collected 43 items of potential evidence.
Chad Daybell is next scheduled to appear in court at a probable cause hearing that was set for July 1-2. Lori Daybell has a preliminary hearing in her case set for July 9-10. For now, she is charged with two counts of desertion and nonsupport of a dependent child.
This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 11:37 AM.