The trial of Chad Daybell, an Idaho man charged in connection with three murders, began with prosecutors painting a picture of a man who created an alternate reality to fulfill his desires for sex, money, and power. Daybell, 55, is facing charges of first-degree murder, insurance fraud, and conspiracy to commit murder and grand theft in connection with the deaths of Tammy Daybell, 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow, and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan. Prosecutors allege that Daybell and his wife, Vallow Daybell, justified the killings by creating an apocalyptic belief system to eliminate obstacles in their relationship and obtain money from survivor benefits and life insurance.
Daybell’s defense attorney portrayed his client as a religious person with mainstream beliefs in premonitions, suggesting that Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, had a violent history. The defense argued that Daybell lived a normal, faith-focused life before meeting Vallow Daybell, who initiated an extramarital relationship with him. The defense plans to present experts in DNA, forensics, and pathology to testify that the cause of Tammy Daybell’s death cannot be determined and that none of Chad Daybell’s DNA was found with the children’s bodies. Daybell’s attorney emphasized the importance of sticking to facts and evidence and avoiding speculation or distractions in the trial.
Prosecutors outlined the case against Daybell, detailing how he allegedly tried to fraudulently collect on his late wife’s life insurance policy and how Vallow Daybell continued to collect their children’s social security benefits after their deaths. The investigation into the case began when the two children were reported missing in fall 2019, leading to an extensive search that uncovered unexpected developments. Investigators revealed that Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell were having an affair when their spouses died unexpectedly, with Vallow Daybell’s husband being shot by her brother in self-defense.
The defense alleged that Cox was manipulated by the Daybells with promises of spiritual rewards. Tammy Daybell’s death in October 2019 raised suspicions, with Chad Daybell initially claiming she died of an illness, but an autopsy later determined she died of asphyxiation. The couple married just two weeks after Tammy Daybell’s death, leading to further suspicions. Friends revealed that the Daybells believed they had been reincarnated and had a mission before a biblical apocalypse.
Further revelations included Chad Daybell describing the children as possessed before they disappeared and repeatedly predicting Tammy Daybell’s death to friends. The shocking discovery of the children’s bodies buried on Daybell’s property revealed the gruesome nature of the crimes, with Tylee Ryan’s remains dismembered and burned, and JJ’s remains bound. The trial is expected to last more than two months, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty if Daybell is convicted. A gag order has been issued in the case, preventing attorneys from speaking to the media until the trial concludes. The case has captivated the community and sheds light on a disturbing web of deception and violence.
