The adult children of Chad Daybell testified in his defense this week, saying their mother’s health was declining before she died. Daybell is accused of killing his wife Tammy Daybell, and his girlfriend’s two young children, JJ and Tylee. Daybell’s daughter described his grief after her mother’s death and objected to an autopsy being performed. Last year, his wife Lori Vallow Daybell received a life sentence without parole for the killings. Chad and Lori married just two weeks after Tammy’s death, leading to suspicions among law enforcement officials.
Prosecutors claim that Chad and Lori conspired to kill the children and Tammy to remove obstacles to their relationship and obtain money from survivor benefits and life insurance. They justified the killings with an apocalyptic belief system involving evil spirits and “zombies.” The case began when the children went missing in 2019, leading to a search that uncovered unexpected connections between the deaths. Chad and Lori were having an affair when their spouses died, under suspicious circumstances. The children’s remains were later discovered on Chad’s property, indicating they died in September 2019.
Friends and family members described Tammy as energetic and fit, but her children testified to her declining health in the months leading up to her death. They mentioned anemia, easy bruising, and fainting spells. Prosecutors presented evidence that Tammy increased her life insurance policy without consulting Chad, though his signature was on the form. Defense attorney John Prior questioned the prosecution’s case, with Murray admitting to searching online for wind direction on the day Tylee died and Garth Daybell denying hearing disturbances the night his mother died.
The testimony from Daybell’s children provided insights into the events leading up to the deaths and the subsequent investigation. Garth Daybell mentioned feeling pressured by police officers and prosecutors to change his story about the night his mother died, highlighting the tense atmosphere surrounding the case. The prosecution’s claims of a conspiracy involving Chad, Lori, and her brother Alex Cox, who died of natural causes during the investigation, painted a complicated picture of motives and actions that led to the deaths of Tammy, JJ, and Tylee. The case has drawn national attention for its tragic and intricate details.
As the trial continues, the defense will likely further challenge the prosecution’s narrative and provide additional perspectives on the events leading up to the deaths. The testimony from Chad Daybell’s children sheds light on his behavior and relationship with the victims, offering a glimpse into the personal dynamics at play. The outcome of the trial will have far-reaching implications for all involved, as justice is sought for the lives lost and the families affected by the tragic events. The case serves as a reminder of the complexities of human nature and the consequences of actions driven by greed, fear, and destructive beliefs.
