Chad Daybell, Lori Vallow Daybell indicted for murder in deaths of 2 children

REXBURG, Idaho — The mother of two children who were found dead last year in Idaho and her new husband were indicted on murder charges Monday in a case that involved doomsday religious beliefs.

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Lori Vallow Daybell and her husband, Chad Daybell, were indicted on two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Tylee Ryan, 17, and Joshua “J.J.” Vallow, Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood said at a news conference on Tuesday.

If either of the two is convicted, the death penalty is a possibility, KSL TV reported. Prosecutors will have 60 days to determine whether to pursue the death penalty after the Daybells enter their pleas, the television station reported.

Wood said the couple was also indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Tammy Daybell, Chad Daybell’s deceased wife, according to East Idaho News. Chad Daybell was charged with murder in connection with the death of Tammy Daybell, the newspaper reported.

Lori Vallow Daybell has also been charged with theft of Social Security benefits allocated for the care of her children, KSL reported. Chad Daybell was charged with two counts of life insurance fraud for policies connected to Tammy Daybell.

>> Relatives say remains found at Chad Daybell’s property were 2 missing children

Tuesday’s announcement came on the day that J.J. Vallow would have turned 9, East Idaho News reported.

The indictments come nearly one year after the bodies of Lori Vallow Daybell’s children were found buried on Chad’s Daybell’s property in Fremont County, the Idaho Statesman reported. Chad Daybell was arrested on June 9, 2020, on two felony counts of conspiracy to commit destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence; and two felony counts of destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence, the newspaper reported.

Ryan’s body was dismembered and burned, according to court documents. J.J, Vallow’s body was wrapped in tight black plastic and secured with gray duct tape, according to court documents.

Chad Daybell pleaded not guilty to the charges and has been in the Fremont County Jail on $1 million bail, the Statesman reported.

Tuesday’s indictment notes that both Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell endorsed and espoused specific religious beliefs in order to justify or encourage the killing of the two children, according to The Associated Press. The children were missing for several months before their bodies were found.

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