BOISE, Idaho — Evidence that has never before been available to the public was presented during Chad Daybell’s triple murder trial in Idaho this week. Daybell is accused of murdering his first wife and his second wife’s two children.
It’s the first full week of testimony in Chad Daybell’s triple murder trial in Idaho. He’s accused of killing his first wife, Tammy Daybell, and his current wife Lori Vallow’s children, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow.
His trial comes after Vallow was convicted in this case last year and sentenced to life in prison in Idaho.
This week, prosecutors introduced new evidence, including a conversation between Daybell and his daughter, and texts between Daybell and Vallow sent while their loved ones were missing and dying.
Throughout the week, Daybell’s defense attorney actively challenged witness testimony and evidence.
Prosecutors show body camera video of Chad Daybell the day he was arrested
The day investigators found human remains in Daybell’s backyard in June 2020, newly released body camera video showed his demeanor as he spoke with his adult daughter from his first marriage.
Daybell’s daughter: We love you so much.
Daybell: I love you. Cooperate with them as much as you will.
The remains would later be identified as Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow. At the time, Lori Vallow was already booked in jail and Daybell was sitting in a police car when he was allowed to speak to his adult daughter.
Daybell: Any questions you have?
Daybell’s daughter: It sounds like you’re not going to be out.
Daybell: Right…(some laughter)
He and his daughter talked about finances and being able to message him and Lori while they’re in jail. Later on he told his daughter to move their belongings.
Daybell: Yeah, I’m not coming back. All the stuff that’s in the baby room is Lori’s and mine. You’ll see in the box. Just put it in the garage I guess.
Prosecutors present text messages between Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow
Throughout the week, prosecutors brought in various investigators who have been working on the case. Some testified to the couple’s dark religious beliefs, disturbing messages and internet searches, and the role Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, could have played.
Investigators consider Cox to be Chad and Lori’s co-conspirator in the case. He can’t be charged because he died in December 2019 in Arizona. The medical examiner listed his death as natural.
On Friday, the jury saw text messages between Vallow and Daybell, describing their love and being together.
Many of the texts are dated in the summer of 2019, after Lori’s fourth husband, Charles Vallow, had been shot and killed in Arizona. Chad Daybell’s wife, Tammy, was still alive.
An investigator testified that Chad and Lori made plans to see each other after Charles Vallow’s death and that the couple had a sexual relationship. Messages reveal they talked about being somewhere tropical together.
In one message, Chad wrote about feeling “trapped” with his own family.
Text from Chad Daybell to Lori Vallow:
Tonight I figured out who I feel like. I’m a grown-up version of Harry Potter, who has to live with the Dudleys in his little space under the stairs. Every few weeks I get to escape and have amazing adventures with my Goddess lover, but then I have to return to my place under the stairs, feeling trapped. But I sense permanent freedom is coming!
Chad and Lori married in Hawaii in November 2019, less than three weeks after Tammy Daybell died. Tylee and JJ were reported missing by other relatives later in November.
Witnesses describe dark religious beliefs
The couple’s religious beliefs have long been a central point in this case. In testimony this week, witnesses said that Daybell gave blessings and would have visions, including one that his wife would die young.
According to testimony Daybell and Vallow believed and taught that people could be “dark” and that “dark” people could be “zombies” that had to die. Witnesses testified that Tammy, Tylee, JJ and Lori’s former husband, Charles Vallow, were all deemed “dark” by Vallow and Daybell.
On Thursday and Friday, Melanie Gibb took the stand. She’s been a key witness in this investigation. She used to be Lori Vallow’s best friend in Arizona and also testified in Lori’s trial last year.
She said she was part of Chad and Lori’s religious group. Gibb was with some of the group at Lori’s home in Idaho the night J.J. was last seen alive.
Gibb testified that Lori asked her to lie about J.J. being with her, and said Chad told her not to talk to police. She confronted the couple about this in a recorded phone call in December 2019.
Melanie Gibb: Is JJ safe?
Lori Vallow: He is safe and happy.
In the call, Vallow tells Gibb that JJ is safe, even though investigators now believe he was killed more than two months before this call.
Melanie Gibb: …if you really loved me, you wouldn’t have told the police that JJ was with me. That’s not what a friend does. That just makes me look weird. That’s not safe for me. It doesn’t look good. You have to think of my welfare if you love me.
Lori Vallow: I do. I did exactly what the Lord was instructing me to do. And I appreciate you and I love you and I would never do anything to harm you. And you can have all of this confirmed to you by the Lord.
Melanie: I have and my conscience is clear. I feel very understanding of what’s really going on, Lori. And I believe that you have been very deceived by Satan. I believe that he has tricked you.
In the call, presented during the trial, you can hear Chad weigh in later. He calls suspicions around him, Lori and their dead spouses conspiracies.
Chad: You’ve just have to have faith, though. This is not some sort of master plan. There’s no way Lori and I could ever come up with this.
Daybell’s defense casts doubt
Daybell’s defense attorney, John Prior, has been very active throughout the prosecutors’ case, bringing several objections and cross-examining all witnesses.
In one exchange, he brings up medical issues to cast doubt on Tammy Daybell’s murder.
Prior questions one of the investigators who was involved in getting a judge’s approval to exhume Tammy Daybell’s body. Tammy Daybell’s death in October 2019 was originally listed as natural, but after further investigation and exhumation, it was ruled a homicide.
John Prior: You didn’t take into consideration the seizures, did you?
Investigator: No.
John Prior: You didn’t take into consideration the shaking, did you?
Investigator: No
John Prior: You didn’t take into consideration the anemia, did you?
Investigator: No.
He also grilled Melanie Gibb about her credibility. Gibb told the jury during her testimony that she did initially lie to police about JJ Vallow’s whereabouts. She also testified that she heard most of the dark religious beliefs from Lori and didn’t have a close relationship with Chad Daybell.
What comes next
Lori Vallow is currently being held at the Estrella Jail in Phoenix where she’s facing conspiracy to commit murder charges in the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and a shooting attempt at her niece’s ex-husband.
She’s pleaded not guilty in those cases.
Testimony in Chad Daybell’s trial will continue Monday.
You can follow daily coverage of this case from 12News' sister station, KTVB, in Boise by clicking here.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.