An Idaho man has been found guilty of a triple murder involving his wife and his new girlfriend's two youngest children. The case, which began in 2019 and spanned multiple states, culminated in Chad Daybell being convicted on all counts after just six hours of jury deliberation.
The victims in this tragic case were Tammy Daybell, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, and 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow. The penalty phase of the trial has now commenced to determine whether Daybell, 55, should face the death penalty for these heinous crimes.
The children's mother, Lori Vallow Daybell, was previously sentenced to life in prison without parole on the same charges. The case garnered significant media attention, leading to the trial being moved to Boise, Idaho, for an impartial jury.
The investigation revealed a complex web of deceit and conspiracy involving the defendants. Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell were having an affair when their spouses died under suspicious circumstances. The deaths of Tammy Daybell and the two children were orchestrated to eliminate obstacles to their relationship and to gain financial benefits.
The prosecution presented evidence suggesting that Daybell manipulated his followers with apocalyptic beliefs, claiming that individuals could become “zombies” possessed by evil spirits. This belief system allegedly justified the killings as a means of saving the victims' souls.
While the defense attempted to portray Daybell as a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, witnesses confirmed the affair between Daybell and Vallow Daybell that predated the murders. The defense also pointed to Lori Vallow Daybell's deceased brother as the true perpetrator, citing his history of violence.
The trial has shed light on a disturbing series of events that shocked the community and left lasting scars on the victims' families. As the penalty phase continues, the jury will weigh the evidence to determine the appropriate punishment for Chad Daybell's role in this tragic case.
