Man’s home searched in first wife’s death
Authorities have searched the home of an Idaho man linked to the suspicious death of his first wife and the disappearance of his two new stepchildren, which could have ties to two Arizona investigations.
On Friday, investigators with the Rexburg police, Fremont County sheriff ’s office and FBI executed a search warrant on the house Chad Daybell shared with Tammy Daybell, who was found dead at home in October.
Initially thought to be a natural death, Tammy Daybell’s remains have since been exhumed in Utah, where she was buried. Autopsy results are pending.
The search warrant was also in connection to the disappearance of Joshua Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 17, who haven’t been seen since September.
On Saturday, Rexburg Assistant Chief Gary Hagen referred requests for information about the warrant from The Arizona Republic to the Fremont County sheriff, saying “it was their warrant and in their jurisdiction pertaining to their suspicious death case.” Sheriff Len Humphries in Fremont County did not respond to questions Saturday about what led to the warrant being served and what evidence was recovered.
Hagen confirmed Rexburg police is the lead agency in the case of the missing children. FBI spokeswoman Sandra Barker said it assisted Rexburg police and the Fremont County sheriff with their respective investigations.
“In the case of the missing children, we were contacted by Rexburg Police on November 27th. We are offering investigative, forensic and technical assistance in Idaho and Utah,” Barker said by email.
“Yesterday, members of our Evidence Response Team were in Rexburg assisting with evidence collection,” Barker continued. Victim specialists have also been made available to the families of Joshua and Tylee.
Persons of interest
The children’s mother, Lori Vallow — who is also now known as Lori Daybell — married Chad Daybell shortly after the other wife’s death.
Lori Daybell’s former spouse, Charles Vallow, was killed in July in Chandler in a confrontation with her brother, Alex Cox. Cox, who died on Dec. 12, said he shot Vallow in self-defense. Chandler police said the investigation remains ongoing.
The cause of death for Cox is unknown at this time, according to Gilbert police. The investigation is pending the results of an autopsy, and it’s not completely known whether the two cases relate directly to the missing children.
On Oct. 2, one of the children’s relatives Brandon Boudreaux was shot at in Gilbert, while driving home from the gym. The bullet missed his head. The Jeep that his would-be killer was driving was registered to Charles Vallow.
Rexburg police have said Chad and Lori Daybell are named as persons of interest because they never reported the kids missing, have repeatedly lied about where their children are — initially saying the boy with special needs was in Arizona — and aren’t cooperating with the investigation. The couple has since issued a statement through an attorney, saying they love their son and daughter and look forward to addressing “allegations once they have moved beyond speculation and rumor.”
Chad Daybell, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a self-published author who writes about near-death experiences and doomsday events.
Chad and Lori Daybell participated in podcasts for a group called “Preparing a People,” which the group said involves “the second coming of Jesus Christ.” The group has since removed those podcasts.