Jury selection is set to begin in the trial of Chad Daybell, who is charged in the deaths of his wife Tammy Daybell and his then-girlfriend Lori Vallow’s two youngest children, JJ and Tylee. The case gained national attention after the children were reported missing in 2019, with their bodies later found in the Daybells’ backyard. Chad Daybell is facing first-degree murder charges in a trial expected to last up to 10 weeks, with the possibility of the death penalty if convicted.
Lori Vallow Daybell, who married Chad just weeks after his wife’s death, was convicted last year and sentenced to life in prison without parole for her involvement in the case. Testimony revealed the couple’s bizarre beliefs, including the belief of zombies and possession by dark spirits that needed to be destroyed. Chad is also facing charges of insurance fraud in connection with Tammy Daybell’s death, conspiracy to commit murder, and grand theft by deception in the deaths of the children.
Chad Daybell has pleaded not guilty and expressed his desire to tell his side of the story. After a gag order was issued barring any commentary on the case, it was decided to split the trials of Chad and Lori due to their conflicting defenses. The chilling case began with the disappearance of Lori’s children and took a series of unexpected turns involving deaths of family members, an affair between Chad and Lori, and unusual religious beliefs that included preparations for an apocalypse.
Prosecutors allege that Lori and Chad used their doomsday beliefs as justification for the deaths of the children and Tammy Daybell, all in a scheme to clear obstacles to their relationship and profit from insurance benefits. The children were referred to as “zombies” before their disappearance, and the couple’s belief in reincarnation and gathering people before the apocalypse added to the complexity of the case. The investigation spanned multiple states and revealed a web of lies, deceit, and manipulation that ultimately led to the convictions of both individuals.
The upcoming trial of Chad Daybell will likely delve deeper into the chilling events that unfolded in 2019 and shed more light on the couple’s twisted relationship and beliefs. With the potential for the death penalty looming over him, Chad will have to defend himself against the mountain of evidence that has been compiled against him. As the legal proceedings move forward, the tragic deaths of Tammy Daybell and Lori Vallow’s children will be revisited in court, providing a semblance of justice for the victims and closure for their grieving families. The trial is set to be a long and arduous process, but it is a necessary step in holding Chad Daybell accountable for his alleged crimes.
