Court hears horrific details of how 'Doomsday Mom' Lori Vallow's children were discovered
Comments come at preliminary hearing to determine if Chad Daybell will be held for trial
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Idaho Police have shared shocking details of unearthing the remains of ‘Doomsday Mom’ Lori Vallow Daybell’s two children, who had been missing for months prior to their discovery.
Rexburg Police Detective Ray Hermosillo gave the chilling testimony in a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to hold her husband Chad Daybell for trial.
Mr Daybell and the children’s mother, Ms Vallow Daybell, face charges related to allegedly concealing the remains of 17-year-old Tylee Ryan and seven-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow. Both have pleaded not guilty.
The “doomsday” beliefs of Mr Daybell and Ms Vallow Daybell and the suspicious deaths of their former spouses have drawn global attention to the tragic case.
Authorities have yet to say how the two children died, or whether homicide charges will be filed against either defendant.
Det Hermosillo said JJ’s body was found beneath fresh earth, under which were three large white flat rocks in a row and then a piece of wood panelling.
He said the body was buried in a black plastic bag covered in duct tape and when the body was taken to the medical examiner’s office investigators later discovered the boy’s head was covered with a white plastic garbage bag that was also wrapped with duct tape.
JJ's wrists and ankles were also bound with duct tape, according to the detective, and more duct tape was said to have bound together the boy’s forearms over his chest.
Det Hermosillo also testified that Tylee's body was found a short distance away and that there was evidence her remains appeared to have been burned.
The official identification of the remains of the children and charging of Mr Daybell is the latest grim turn in a long case that began with the disappearance of the two children in late 2019.
Mr Daybell ran a small publishing company and wrote fiction books about apocalyptic scenarios loosely based on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He also recorded podcasts about preparing for biblical end times, and friends said he claimed to be able to receive visions from “beyond the veil”.
Mr Daybell’s defence attorney, John Prior, will state his case during the hearing, which was expected to continue on Tuesday. Neither the couple nor their lawyers have spoken publicly about the case.
Additional reporting by The Associated Press.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments