Idaho judge orders release of JJ Vallow’s remains, found on Chad Daybell’s property

A judge has ordered that the remains of Joshua “JJ” Vallow be turned over to his family members.

The 7-year-old was found buried on Chad Daybell’s Fremont County property on June 9, 2020, nearly nine months after investigators say the boy died of asphyxiation.

The state of Idaho has maintained custody of JJ’s body since the gruesome discovery, but Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake and Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood filed a stipulation Thursday authorizing JJ’s body to be released to his next of kin.

John Prior, Daybell’s attorney, also signed the stipulation, and Judge Steven Boyce issued an order for the release of the body, to be done Monday morning.

The remains of Tylee Ryan, JJ’s sister, continue to be held in the state’s custody. It’s unknown when they will be released.

JJ and Tylee’s mother, Lori Vallow Daybell, was found guilty of first-degree murder in May in their deaths, along with conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Tammy Daybell, Chad Daybell’s former wife. She was sentenced to life in prison and faces additional conspiracy to commit murder charges in Arizona.

A jury trial is scheduled to begin April 1 for Chad Daybell, who faces similar charges.

JJ and Tylee first were reported publicly as missing by the Rexburg Police Department on Dec. 20, 2019, and officials said neither of the children had been seen since September that year. Less than two weeks later, police issued a news release asking the Daybells to “do the right thing and come forward.”

It wasn’t until six months later that the fate of the children was confirmed, when Chad Daybell’s property was searched and excavated.

Kay and Larry Woodcock, JJ’s grandparents, had guardianship over JJ until the Vallows adopted him. Kay Woodcock’s son was the biological father of JJ.