Idaho Doomsday Author, Chad Daybell Sentenced to Death for Murders of Children and First Wife, Tammy Daybell

Chad Daybell has received the ultimate penalty for a series of horrific crimes. 

A jury found him guilty on six counts related to the murders of 7-year-old Joshua "J.J." Vallow, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, and his first wife, Tammy Daybell, 49. Additionally, he was convicted of two counts of insurance fraud.

Judge Steven Boyce of the Ada County courts in Idaho officially sentenced Daybell to death on June 1st, following a guilty verdict from the sequestered jury. 

News outlets like CNN reported that Daybell displayed no emotion when the sentence was announced.

J.J. and Tylee were the children of Lori Vallow, Daybell's second wife. 

Vallow received a life sentence without parole in July 2023 for the murders of her own children and conspiracy in Tammy's death.

Lori Vallow

The jury deliberated for several days before reaching their verdict. 

After six hours of deliberation on Friday, they recessed for the night. 

Deliberations resumed Saturday morning, leading to the court's announcement.

In a statement released by the Tammy Douglas Daybell Foundation, the Douglas family expressed gratitude to law enforcement, prosecutors, the media, and everyone who supported them during the trial. 

They acknowledged the "terrible losses" they had suffered and the importance of healing.

"We will miss Tammy every single day," the statement continued, "but we have some comfort knowing we will see her again."

The case began in 2018 when Daybell, a writer known for his doomsday beliefs, met Lori Vallow. 

By September 2019, J.J. and Tylee had vanished. 

The following month, Tammy Daybell died unexpectedly at home. 

Just two weeks later, Lori and Chad married in Hawaii, while J.J.'s grandparents reported the children missing.

Joshua Vallow, Tylee Ryan

Chad's trial lasted nearly two months. 

Witnesses against Chad included his own adult children from his marriage to Tammy, Emma Murray and Garth Daybell. 

Sadly, Tammy and Chad had been married for almost 30 years before her death.

Tammy and Chad

Nearly a year after J.J. and Tylee's disappearance, their remains were found buried on Daybell's Idaho property. 

Tylee's remains showed signs of dismemberment and burning, while J.J.'s body was wrapped in plastic and duct tape.

During Lori's trial in 2022, a forensic pathologist revealed that J.J. died by suffocation from a plastic bag and duct tape. 

Tylee's cause of death remained undetermined due to the condition of her remains.

Another key detail emerged during Lori's trial: Tammy's death, initially ruled accidental, was determined to be caused by asphyxiation.

Speaking after Chad's conviction, J.J.'s grandfather, Larry Woodcock, expressed his grief at a press conference. 

"It's a sad day," he said, highlighting the tragic loss of a young life. 

He shared his love for J.J. and Tammy before concluding, "J.J., Papa loves you. J.J., I miss you."

 

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