Bodies found at home of Lori Vallow's husband identified as her two children missing since September
SALEM, IDAHO: Authorities have confirmed that the two sets of human remains they found at the property of Chad Daybell were of his wife Lori Vallow's two missing children. MEA WorldWide (MEAWW) previously reported that Fremont County Sheriff's deputies, Rexburg Police officers, and FBI agents raided Daybell's Salem home on the 200 Block of 1900 East around 7 am on Tuesday, June 9, over an investigation into the disappearance of seven-year-old Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, who is autistic, and his 17-year-old sister, Tylee Ryan. The children were last seen in September 2019 – Tylee was last seen on September 8, during a visit to Yellowstone National Park, while her brother was last seen two weeks later, but only came to the attention of authorities in November after concerned family members reported that they had not seen them for months.
Rexburg Assistant Police Chief Gary Hagen subsequently announced in a brief press conference outside the home that they had found human remains, but that they could not confirm it belonged to Joshua and Tylee. In a statement released on Wednesday, June 10, however, the children's grandparents Larry and Kay Woodcock said the remains did indeed belong to their missing grandchildren.
"We are filled with unfathomable sadness that these two bright stars were stolen from us, and only hope that they died without pain or suffering," the statement, obtained by CBS News, read. "Once officially confirmed, statements from The Rexburg Police, The Medical Examiner, and the FBI will be released. We ask that you respect our family's privacy while we grieve — we have only just been told of the loss of our loved ones and need time to process."
Aerial footage of Daybell's property showed investigators digging up soil around what appeared to be a well in the backyard. They also used a backhoe to dig up the dirt near a barn and were filmed towing one of his cars away. The discovery of the remains came during what was a second raid on the property. Investigators had previously searched the residence on January 3 and recovered 43 items but had found nothing after combing over several sections of the backyard with metal detectors and rakes. Daybell, who has been charged with one felony count of destruction or concealment of evidence, appeared via video before a judge on June 10. He was asked to be held on a $1 million bond by Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood, who argued that he was a flight risk.
Wood told the court that Daybell had hidden the children's remains and that the way one set of remains was concealed was "particularly egregious." However, he did not provide any further details and said the documents in the case had been sealed. A lawyer for Daybell said the bail amount should reflect the charges against his client and that he intends to stay in the community and clear his name. The judge ultimately sided with the prosecution and agreed to set the bail at $1 million. He also ordered Daybell to wear an ankle monitor and stay in the immediate area. Vallow, who he married less than two months after Joshua and Tylee disappeared, has been charged with two felony counts of desertion and non-support of dependent children, as well as resisting or obstructing officers, criminal solicitation to commit a crime, and contempt of court. Both are also being investigated for conspiracy, attempted murder, and murder in the death of Daybell's first wife Tammy, who mysteriously died at their Salem home in October.