Chad Daybell is set to stand trial in Boise, Idaho, accused of killing his wife Tammy Daybell and murdering his new partner’s children, Joshua “JJ” Vallow and Tylee Ryan. Prosecutors allege that Chad and his partner, Lori Vallow Daybell, shared apocalyptic religious beliefs and were part of a “doomsday cult” that believed in the existence of “zombies.” Witnesses testified that the couple believed evil spirits could possess human souls and that the only way to expel a zombie was to kill the person’s physical body.
In addition to the murder charges, Chad Daybell is also facing charges of insurance fraud in connection with Tammy Daybell’s death, as well as conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft by deception in the children’s deaths. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and could potentially face the death penalty if convicted. Lori Vallow Daybell was found guilty last year of murdering her children and conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. She was also charged with conspiracy to murder her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, who was fatally shot by her brother, Alex Cox.
The bodies of Joshua “JJ” Vallow and Tylee Ryan were found buried in Chad Daybell’s yard in 2020. Authorities determined that Tylee’s death was a homicide by unspecified means, while JJ was found to be bound with duct tape and smothered to death with plastic bags. Initially, Tammy Daybell’s death was believed to be from natural causes, but authorities later alleged she had been asphyxiated. Following the disappearance of Lori Vallow Daybell’s children and the investigation into the deaths surrounding the couple, they fled to Hawaii where they were eventually apprehended.
Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell were initially going to stand trial together, but the case was split into individual trials when it became apparent that they may blame each other as part of their defense. During her sentencing, Lori Vallow Daybell claimed that she regularly received updates from the spirit world and that her children were happy and busy in the afterlife. The judge characterized her beliefs as falling into a “bizarre religious rabbit hole,” indicating a departure from conventional religious beliefs. The case has garnered significant media attention and has shocked the country with its bizarre and tragic details.
The trial of Chad Daybell is set to begin, marking the culmination of a complex and disturbing case that has captured the nation’s attention. The alleged involvement of the couple in a “doomsday cult” and their belief in supernatural entities like zombies has added a sensational element to the proceedings. The tragic deaths of Tammy Daybell, Joshua “JJ” Vallow, and Tylee Ryan have shed light on the darker aspects of the human psyche and the potential consequences of extremist beliefs. As the trial unfolds, the details of the case are likely to continue to shock and intrigue the public, underscoring the importance of understanding the complexities of human behavior and the power of belief systems.
