Death Penalty for Chad Daybell in Wife and Children’s Murders

In a case that has drawn widespread attention, Chad Daybell has been sentenced to death for the brutal murders of his first wife, Tammy Daybell, and his stepchildren, Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 16.

The sentencing came after a long and emotional trial that revealed the horrifying details of the crimes and their deep impact on the victims’ families.

Chad Daybell, an author with doomsday beliefs, was found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

He was involved in the deaths of his first wife, Tammy Daybell, and the children of his second wife, Lori Vallow Daybell. This case revealed a disturbing story of manipulation and murder fueled by extreme religious ideas.

Tammy Daybell died in 2019, and at first, her death was thought to be from natural causes.

However, people became suspicious, and her body was dug up for another examination. This autopsy showed that she had been suffocated. Around the same time, Lori Vallow Daybell’s children, JJ and Tylee, went missing, causing a desperate search.

In 2020, their bodies were found on Chad Daybell’s property in Fremont County, Idaho. JJ was buried in a pet cemetery, while Tylee’s remains had been cut up and burned in a fire pit.

During the trial, prosecutors described how Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell were influenced by extreme religious beliefs about the end of the world.

They called people who got in their way “zombies” or “dark spirits” and used these beliefs to justify killing them.

Lori Vallow Daybell, who was also involved in these crimes, was given several life sentences without the chance of parole. During her trial, she showed no remorse, which stood in sharp contrast to the emotional statements from the victims’ families.

During the sentencing, Tammy Daybell’s family spoke about how much they miss her. Her dad, Ron Douglas, talked about how sad and angry he feels.

Her brothers, Matthew and Benjamin, remembered her as the most important person in their family. They said that her loss has been really hard for them and their kids. Now, their children only know Tammy from photos and stories because she’s not around anymore.

Joshua’s grandmother, Kay Woodcock, addressed the court with a tearful statement, reflecting on the irreplaceable loss and the permanent void in their family. Her words underscored the deep emotional scars left by the murders.

“There’s a hole in my heart and the hearts of every member of my family that can never be filled and will remain for the rest of our life,” she said.

Chad Daybell was given the death penalty by Judge Steven W. Boyce for his serious crimes. He also got 15 years in prison for each insurance fraud charge, all at the same time.

Even during his trial and when he was told his punishment, Daybell didn’t show any regret and chose not to say anything in his defense.

The Tammy Douglas Daybell Foundation released a statement thanking law enforcement, the prosecution, and the media for their efforts in bringing justice. They expressed a sense of relief and a desire to begin healing from the devastating losses.

“We can all start to heal from the terrible losses we have suffered,” the foundation said. “We will miss Tammy every single day of our lives but we have some comfort knowing we will see her again.”

NBC News reported, “Daybell was found guilty Thursday of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the slayings of Tammy Daybell, Joshua ‘JJ’ Vallow, and Tylee Ryan.” Their comprehensive coverage has helped bring this tragic story to the forefront of public consciousness.