Boise, Idaho – The capital murder trial of Chad Daybell, the husband of convicted killer Lori Vallow Daybell, is set to commence on Monday in Ada County, Idaho. Chad, 55, is facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Lori’s two children, 7-year-old Joshua “J.J.” Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as his first wife, Tammy Daybell. The deaths were allegedly part of a plot fueled by the couple’s bizarre doomsday prophecies.
Chad, who was married to Tammy for nearly 30 years before her death, is also facing charges of insurance fraud and grand theft related to life insurance policies he had on her. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and, if convicted, could face the death penalty.
Lori, on the other hand, has already been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole following her conviction for the murders of J.J. and Tylee, as well as conspiring to murder Tammy. Although prosecutors recommended the death penalty for Chad, Lori did not face it.
Prior to Lori’s sentencing, Judge Steven Boyce condemned her crimes as “heinous and egregious,” highlighting her lack of remorse for her actions.
The remains of J.J. and Tylee were discovered on Chad’s property in Rexburg, Idaho, in June 2020. The discovery came months after Chad and Lori’s Hawaii wedding and just weeks after Tammy’s death. Lori never reported her children missing.
During Lori’s trial, prosecutors alleged that Chad and Lori were part of a small doomsday cult that believed in preparing for the end of the world and eliminating individuals whose spirits turned “dark.” Chad, a self-published author of doomsday-themed books, played a central role in their shared beliefs.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Garth Warren testified that J.J. was asphyxiated with a plastic bag and duct tape, while Tylee’s cause of death was determined to be “homicide by unspecified means.”
Tammy’s cause of death was initially ruled as “natural causes,” but it was later deemed suspicious, prompting an autopsy after Chad reported her death. It was discovered that she had also died from asphyxiation.
In May 2021, both Lori and Chad were charged with the murders of Tylee, J.J., and Tammy. While Lori has already been sentenced, she also faces separate charges in Arizona linked to the death of her ex-husband Charles Vallow and the shooting of her niece’s then-husband Brandon Boudreaux. Lori has pleaded not guilty in those cases.
Just days before Chad’s trial was scheduled to begin, Judge Boyce issued a gag order after Chad’s attorney gave an interview discussing aspects of the trial.
Unlike Lori’s trial, Chad’s trial will be live-streamed with court-operated cameras. It is expected to last approximately eight to 10 weeks.