Chad Daybell Trial: Prosecution's Witnesses Deputy Vince Kaaiakamanu and Rexburg Detective Eric Wheeler.

On Monday, April 15th, 2024, Chad Daybell's trial continued.

The state called their next witness Vince Kaaiakamanu. He was an investigator for 18years for the Fremont County Sheriff's Office until taking a job as the Chief Deputy with the Madison County Sheriff's Office earlier this year.

Prosecutor Rob Wood asked Kaaiakamanu if he was involved in the investigation for Chad Daybell, Tammy Daybell, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow. He answered yes. 

Wood then asked him if in his current job was it part of his responsibilities to over sea the jail. He said yes. 

Wood then asked him if he understood the jail's phone system. He said yes. Wood then asked him to explain the system. He said that he oversees the Telemate phone/video system. He said that the system is so inmates can call and facetime their family and friends. He then testified that he had supervised the system when he was with Freemont County too. 

Wood then asked Kaaiakamanu how he made sure inmates didn't make calls on behalf of other inmates. He explained that every inmate had a PIN number, and a photo is taken and that their voice was also recorded. He also testified that no matter if it is a facetime or a call the whole conversation was recorded.

Wood then asked Kaaiakamanu how he would access the information on Telemate. He said that he has a username and password. He said that he can log into the system and listen to calls but he is unable to edit the information. Tablets and phones are located in the pods of the jail for inmate use. Wood then asked him how he knows the day and time of each call. Kaaiakamanu answered that they are all time stamped.

Wood then asked Kaaiakamanu if Lori was an inmate in the Madison County jail on June 9th, 2020. He answered she was, and he acknowledged that Chad Daybell was not in jail at that time. Wood then entered an exhibit into evidence, which was a thumb drive containing a call between Chad and Lori on June 9th, 2020. That was the day that the FBI searched Chad's property and found JJ and Tylee's remains. The recording was signed off by Kaaiakamanu. It was then played for the court.

Lori Daybell- “Hi, babe.”

Chad Daybell- “Hello.”

Lori Daybell- “Are you okay?”

Chad Daybell- “No, they’re searching the property.”

Lori Daybell- “The house right now?”

Chad Daybell- “Yeah, yeah. [Unintelligible, possibly ‘not the house.’] So, Mark Means will be talking to you.”

Lori Daybell- “Okay. What, are they in the house?”

Chad Daybell- “No, they’re out in the property.”

Lori Daybell- “Are they seizing stuff again?”

Chad Daybell- “They’re searching. There’s a search warrant and so [unintelligible] with the kids.”

Lori Daybell- “Okay.”

Chad Daybell- “So yeah, saw you’d tried to pull up a, a call. I’m glad you called.”

Lori Daybell- “Yeah.”

Chad Daybell- “So, we’ll see what transpires.”

Lori Daybell- “‘Kay.”

Chad Daybell- “[Unintelligible]”

Lori Daybell- “What do you want me to do? Pray?”

Chad Daybell- “What?”

Lori Daybell- “What do you want me to–”

Chad Daybell- “No, [talking over Lori] I’m sorry.”

Lori Daybell- “[Laughs]”

Chad Daybell- “Well, [unintelligible]”

Lori Daybell- “Mmmkay. What can I do for you?”

Chad Daybell- “I’m [unintelligible] pretty calm. I would call Mark, though. We need, can you just talk with him?”

Lori Daybell- “Have you talked to him already?”

Chad Daybell- “[Unintelligible, possibly ‘I’ve tried to call him since.’]”

Lori Daybell- “So he knows what they’re doing?”

Chad Daybell- "Yeah. Looks like I’ve, a call from somebody else who I need to talk to, honey. I love you so much.”

Lori Daybell- “Okay. I love you. Should I try to call you later?”

Chad Daybell- “Umm, I don’t know. I, I don’t know. Uh, you can try, yeah. I’ll answer if I can.”

Lori Daybell- “Okay.”

Chad Daybell- “I love you and we’ll talk soon.”

Lori Daybell- “Okay, baby, I love you.”

Chad Daybell- “Okay. Love you. Goodbye.”

Wood asked Kaaiakamanu what time the call was. He said that it was around 11am. Wood had no further questions for Kaaiakamanu. 

Prior then began his cross-examine. He asked Kaaiakamnu if he was at the Daybell residents on June 9th, 2020. He said yes. He testified that there were more than 30 other officers at the scene that day. 

Prior then asked about Chad mentioning on the phone that he was at his daughter Emma's house, which was kitty corner to Chad's home. 

Prior asked if Chad had any restrictions on June 9th while he was at Emma's house. Kaaiakamanu said at that time no. 

Prior then asked him to confirm that Chad had said in the phone call that he had talked to Mark Means. Kaaiakamanu said that was correct. Prior then asked him if he knew who the person was calling that interrupted Chad’s call with Lori. Kaaiakamanu didn't know.

Prior then asked him if 30 plus officers arriving at an average citizen's house would make them nervous. Kaaiakamanu replied "To an average citizen, yes."

Prior said that in the call with Chad, Lori mentioned the “search again”. He then asked Kaaiakamanu how many times officers had searched Chad’s home before June 9th, 2020. Kaaiakamanu answered they went in January 2020. Prior asks if officers ever showed up unannounced at Chad’s house to search the property. Kaaiakamanu said no, they had a search warrant when they went out there.

Prior asked Kaaiakamanu if he has interviewed Melanie Gibb, one of Chad's neighbors, i think he said Mathew Price, Zulema Pastenes and Chad's son Garth Daybell. Kaaiakamanu answered yes. Prior then asked Kaaiakamanu where he interviewed Garth. He said that he interviewed Garth at the Rexburg Police Department. He said that he also showed up with Special Agent Ricky Wright to the school, where Garth was working, to advise him of the findings of his mother's death. Prior wanted to know if when they took Garth in for the interview to the RPD, if he had a choice. Kaaiakamnu said that at that point Garth didn't have an option. Prior asks how long Garth was at RPD for the interview. Kaaiakamanu said that it was for a couple of hours. They got him McDonald’s and a soda and waited for Garth's attorney to show up before they conducted the interview.

Prior asked Kaaiakamanu if he had reviewed the audio and video tapes of Chad and Emma from June 9th. He said no.

Prior then asked if besides law enforcement if there was anyone else on Chad's property on June 9th and or June 10th of 2020. Kaaiakamanu said that the Freemont County Corner was there as well as a few cadaver dogs. They worked from 7 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. Prior had no further questions for Kaaiakamnu at that time. 

Wood had some re-direct questions. He said that Prior spoke to Kaaiakamanu about how people get nervous when police show up and how that is a normal reaction. Wood then asked Kaaiakamanu if he had listened to multiple jail calls between Chad and Lori when she was in custody. Kaaiakamanu said yes. Wood asked if the tone of the phone call on June 9 was a different tone from the couple's previous phone calls. Kaaiakamanu said yes. Wood asked Kaaiakamanu if he was present on June 9th when Chad drove away. Kaaiakamanu said he was. Wood asked Kaaiakamanu if he knew what was happening around that time. Much to Prior's object which Judge Boyce overruled, Kaaiakamnu answered that when Chad drove away, police were looking for two bodies on his property. Wood asked Kaaiakamanu if he knew that one of those bodies was being discovered as Chad drove away. Kaaiakamnu said yes, JJ Vallow’s. Wood had no further question. 

Prior questioned Kaaiakamanu on the phone call again. He asked if there were 30 officers on the property, there would be a different tone. Kaaiakamanu said yes. Prior asked Kaaiakamanu if he was aware Chad was going to get an attorney. Kaaiakamanu was not. Prior had no further questions at that time.

Rexburg Detective Eric Wheeler was the next witness to take the stand with Fremont County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rocky Wixom doing the questioning. Wheeler has worked for RPD for 18 years. He was first patrol officer, then a patrol sergeant before becoming a detective. 

Wixom asked Wheeler if he assisted on the search on June 9, 2020, at Chad's property. He replied yes, said that it was his role was to maintain scene security, traffic and crowd control while investigators conducted the search. 

Wixom then asked Wheeler if he found anything during that search. Wheeler said that he found remains of Tylee and observed the remains of JJ. He says Tylee’s remains were found near the fire pit and JJ’s remains were found near the pond.

Wheeler testified that when he arrived on scene, he helped maintain traffic and stood by as detectives served the warrant to the occupants inside the home. His role was to standby and observe the occupants of the home as they were coming and going. 

Wheeler arrived at Chad's house just after 7 a.m. He said that they were multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the search such as the Rexburg Police, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.

Wixom asked Wheeler when it was that he personally first saw Chad that day. He said he first saw Chad leave the home around 7:30 a.m. when he moved his vehicle from the back driveway to the west front driveway and backed his vehicle in. He testified that that spot had a better vantage point of the pond and firepit area. Wheeler said that Chad just sat in his vehicle on his phone for quite some time. He said that there were multiple times when he saw Chad looking “awkwardly” over his shoulder toward where the investigators and cadaver dogs were working. He said that there was one time that Chad appeared to be suspicious about something in the pond area.  Wheeler said that Chad exited the vehicle and walked towards the rear of his vehicle and looked in that direction of the pond. Wheeler said that Chad then got back in his vehicle and was on the phone for a little bit longer before he drove to Emma's home. He said that Chad was at her house for about an hour and a half. Wheeler said that then Chad left Emma's house in a hurry with something in his hand and got into his vehicle and took off. 

Wheeler said that there were assigned detectives responsible for following Chad if he went certain places and Detective Schmidt was one of those detectives. Wheeler said that he told Schmidt that Chad was leaving and about that time other investigators that were in the back of the property came jogging over said hurry and go stop him. 

Wheeler said that he was in a marked vehicle when he stopped Chad.

He said that in his opinion Chad was going before he stopped him right around the Fremont Madison County line. Wheeler said at the time all he had was a request to stop him. He said that the other detectives that had made that request were right behind him, so he asked Chad to exit his vehicle and explained that the detectives were on their way to talk to him. Wheeler said that Chad wasn't shocked or surprised that he got stopped and complied to the request.

Wixom asked Wheeler if at that point in time did any other law enforcement become involved in contact with Chad. He said yes, Lieutenant Ball and detective Hermosillo and a few other officers. Wixom then asked Wheeler if he was ever instructed to arrest Chad. He said that he placed handcuffs on Chad and told him that he was being detained and then put him in his patrol vehicle. Wheeler said that the detectives advised Chad that they had found JJ.

Wixom then asked Wheeler if he had a camera system in his vehicle. He said yes that he has three different cameras that are linked together. One is inside where they put their prisoners, one is the dash cam and then the one they wear which is their body cam. 

Two exhibits were then entered into evidence. The first exhibit was a copy of the video from the dash cam the other was a copy of the video from a body cam outside the vehicle. Clips were then played in court from the first video. 

The video showed Chad in the backseat of the car. Emma came up to the side of the car and told her dad that she didn't want him to be alone and that “I love you so much”. She then gave Chad a hug and he said that he loved her and was glad that she came over. Emma said that she thought they had taken him already. Chad said that he got about to the Freemont County line.

Chad told the officers that Emma was concerned about Chad's car and wanted to know if Emma could get it and that she left some bananas in there. The officer told Chad that Emma could have the car after they search it since he was arrested in it. 

Chad then wanted to know if Emma could take his wallet that he had on him. Lt. Ball asked if he could look through it first. Chad replied sure. 

Emma said she was going to get "Mark."

One of the officers asked Chad if he was going to need anything from his wallet. Chad said that Emma would be running his finances. Chad gave Emma his credit cards and then told her there was about $9,000 in a middle drawer in Mark’s room. He then told her the password to his bank account. He then told her the company business card was in the same drawer as the $9,000. He said that later they would talk about the car. Chad told Emma the card used for Telmate. Emma said she already has a Telmate account that she had been talking to Lori on. Chad told Emma he puts $30 a week on Lori’s commissary. 

Emma started to cry and said, “I love you so much!” Chad said, “I’m sorry” and told her to cooperate with police “as much as you feel.”  Emma said, "The police have been kind to us today." 

She then said she texted John Prior, so he had her number. Chad continued to explain financial information to her. 

Emma said to her dad that it sounds like he won’t be out for a while. Chad chuckled and said, “Right.” Emma said that she would stay in his house and take care of things.

Wheeler testified at that point Chad had not been arrested. 

Emma cried and said that she would take care of her brother Mark, and her brothers and Chad the best she could. Chad told Emma to keep paying the mortgage out of the company account. They then discussed the car payment. Chad then said, “I’m not coming back.” He told then told Emma that his and Lori's stuff was in the baby's room and to put it in the garage. Chad said told Emma that "i hope things slow down for you guys and you get left alone." He then told Emma the house was essentially hers and he would talk to Prior about financial arrangements. He continued to talk about money and maybe refinancing the house.

Emma said that the spirit had been telling her she would be moving soon and now she knew why.

Emma asked Chad if things could be sent from Amazon to the jail. He said yes and that Lori would know the Amazon account. Chad said he had around $265 in gift certificates in his Amazon account. 

Chad told Emma that she probably could take the computers because they weren't part of the search warrant. He said that they were in his bag in his car. Emma then asked one of the officers if she could take the computers. He said no. Emma then asked the officer about the items in the house. He said that he didn't know what items would be taken.

Chad told Emma that it would all work out, that it was all in the Lord's plans. Emma cried and said that she was going to miss him "so much". Chad told her that he wasn't sure if he was going to Madison or Fremont. He said he was sure Fremont has a Telemate system so they can talk. Chad said all the neighbors were going to talk. Emma said they already were. She them told Chad, “We’re ok dad. We’re ok. You raised us so we are independent now. I’m not Colby”.

Emma and Chad continue to discuss finances. Chad told her that he spoke with Lori for a few minutes. Emma asked if Lori was surprised. Chad said, “She seemed bothered or disturbed.” 

Emma told Chad that they had told her that they had found human remains and that she had told them that there were several dogs buried there. Lt Ball told her that they can tell the difference between human remains and animal remains. She said she had asked him where the remains were found, and Ball had told her over under the tree in the grounds with boards over it. Chad said, “ok.” Emma said, “I can see in your face that it surprises you.”

Emma told Chad that they told her that they found one body with probable cause and there is likely two. She said that she asked them if they were going to search the property forever. She said that the officer said no, but they were going to look. Emma said she had told the officer that the house was where her family stayed and that she had a baby. She said the officer told her not to worry that they'd hook her up with a hotel. Chad told Emma that there was nothing in the house.

Wheeler confirmed to the court that the search was all outside the home. 

Emma said she called Mark, her brother, and told her that dad was arrested. Chad told Emma he loved her and they hugged. He said they can talk on Telemate. 

Wixom skipped ahead and played a short clip. He then asked Wheeler what direction and where was Chad looking in. Wheeler said Chad was looking at the fire pit area, where Tylee’s remains were found.

Wheeler says he was asked to transport Chad to the Fremont County Jail. After he dropped off Chad, Wheeler returned to Chad's home and helped search in the fire pit area. Wheeler testified that he also assisted in setting up light trailers that evening. Wixom had no further questions.

The court had taken a morning recess. Prior began the cross examination of Wheeler.  He wanted to clarify Wheeler’s role the morning of June 9th. Wheeler testified that he assisted in traffic control and secured the front of the property. Prior then asked how many officers were at the home. Wheeler couldn't testify to that but confirmed multiple agencies such as the FBI, Freemont County and Rexburg County. Prior asked about any citizen's on the property. Wheeler said there wasn't any. 

Prior asked Wheeler if he was with Rexburg at the time. He said he was. Prior then asked about the cameras on his vehicle and person. Wheeler confirmed that he had a camera in his vehicle and one pointing outward. He also confirmed he had a body cam and he was wearing on that day.

Prior asked Wheeler explain what Chad did that morning. Wheeler said that Chad got into his car, moved it to the west side of his home, then took it to the home kitty corner to his property and then left southbound. 

Prior asked Wheeler when it was that Chad was advised remains had been found on the property. Wheeler said that he was told during the traffic stop.

Wheeler confirmed Chad was in Emma’s house for 90 minutes to 2 hours. 

Prior asked Wheeler if Chad could just be nervous and curious because of all the police officers looking on his property. Wheeler said that that could be the case.

Prior asked Wheeler to clarify Chad speeding off from Emma's house. Prior asked what the speed limit was in front of Chad’s house. Wheeler says it was 50 mph. Prior asked if it would be unusual for someone to accelerate once they get on the highway. Wheeler said no.

Prior asked Wheeler if and when he was able to look at his body camera footage. He said a few days ago. Prior asked about Wheeler’s conversation on the video before Chad was taken into custody. Wheeler said he couldn't quite remember the discussion. Prior then published the body cam footage. 

In the body cam footage Det. Ball walked up to Chad and told him that they had found JJ on his property and that he was going to be detained. Chad said something inaudible, and Ball responded, “Your attorney can now come to you.” 

Prior said it appeared was in the process of seeing his lawyer in the morning. Wheeler said he couldn't testify to that.

Wheeler confirmed that Chad was then put into handcuffs and placed into the backseat of his car. Prior asked at what point was Chad advised they found a body on his property. Wheeler said it was right at that time. 

Wheeler confirmed that while Chad was sitting in the back of the police car, he was allowed to talk to Emma. Prior said that Chad didn't know what he was charged with at the time. Wheeler said correct. Prior discussed how Chad spoke with Emma about their credit cards, business accounts, etc. Prior said that the purpose of was unknown. Wheeler said correct.

Prior then talked about where Chad was originally parked. Prior asked if where Chad parked gave him the best view of the fire pit and the pond. Wheeler said he was unsure about the pond but yes on the fire pit.

Prior says he’s having difficulty understanding why Chad moved his car if Chad had a good view of the fire pit and the pond and the tree where JJ was found if his motive was nefarious. Wheeler said that Chad was told to move by law enforcement.

Wheeler said that Chad turned his head 4-5 times to look where police were working and that he appeared to be nervous. Prior repeated again about all the people on Chad's property possibly making him nervous. Then Prior asked Wheeler if Chad ran at that point. Wheeler said no. Prior said that Chad when over Emma's property for 90 to 2 hours. Wheeler said that was correct.

Prior asked Wheeler about the statement Emma made to Chad that she "could tell by his reaction that he didn’t know what was going on out there." Wheeler said he remember that.

Prior said that after Emma left Wheeler had testified that Chad had looked back at the fire pit area. Wheeler said yes, multiple times. 

Wheeler testified that he had dropped Chad off at the jail at 12:45pm and returned to Chad's home at 1:30 p.m. After he returned, he was assigned to help in the fire pit area. There were multiple people at the fire pit who were coming and going. Shovels, sifters and hand tools were used to dig in the dirt. Wheeler testified that he was there for a significant time of the excavation. Prior had no further questions.

Wixom then asked some re-direct questions. He asked about someone getting nervous during a typical traffic stop. Wheeler said most people get a little nervous during traffic stops. Wixom then asked, "If someone is about to be discovered in a crime, about to be caught in a crime, have you ever experienced someone just acknowledging that and surrendering because they are caught?” Wheeler said it is common for suspects to try and distance themselves. 

Wixom asked if someone knew they had bodies buried on their property and law enforcement was looking there, could it make them curious. Wheeler said yes. 

Wixom then asked him if someone who had bodies buried on their property might accelerate quickly to get away from the property. Wheeler said yes. 

Wheeler confirmed that he was present when Tylee's remains were discovered. Wixom then asked Wheeler if he was familiar with the pet cemetery. He said yes. Wixom asked Wheeler to confirm if some of Tylee's remains were found at the pet cemetery. He said they were found in that area. 

Wixom asked Wheeler if he could tell the jury what kind of efforts and cautions were made to uncover Tylee's remains. Wheeler replied that the majority of what he did was on his hands and knees using brushes to remove portions of dirt away from the mass that was found. Wheeler said they personally found a portion of a skull, flesh and other bones in a bucket melted. He testified that other than JJ and Tylee, no other human remains were found on the property. 

Wheeler said all conduct by law enforcement in recovering the remains that morning was careful so they wouldn't lose anything.

Wixom asked Wheeler "If someone gets in a car quickly or appears to, what can that be indicative of?" Wheeler said that it could be that they have knowledge that something's going to be found or some guilt. Wixom asked if that go back to that term consciousness of guilt.

Prior objected in the last question was stricken from the record.

Wixom asked Wheeler if when he stopped Chad and had him get out of the car and come back to the back if he was met by the 4 or 5 officers including Lieutenant Ball. Wheeler said that that was right.

Wixom said that they just watched a video where the first thing lieutenant Ball said was "We found JJ's remains." Wheeler agreed.

Wixom asked Wheeler if he ever saw anyone go into the house to search for remains. Wheeler said he wasn't aware that anyone did. 

Wixom asked Wheeler what direction was Chad looking when he was looking over his right shoulder in the patrol cam. Wheeler said at the fire pit and the pet cemetery. Wixom had no further questions.

Prior has some follow up questions. Prior asked Wheeler if he spoke to any other law enforcement officer during the break. Wheeler said he did not. Prior asked about Chad leaving when he learned about the remains being found on his property. Wheeler explained when he left, it was from Emma’s residence shortly after Wheeler learned JJ’s body had been found. Prior asked if Chad knew at the point he left Emma’s house, if Chad had been told anything about the remains being found. Wheeler said at that point it was unlikely.

Wheeler testimony was concluded.

Darkmatter: Chad Daybell Trial: First witness Rexburg Det. Ray Hermosillo Part Two (darkmatter69.blogspot.com)

Chad Daybell Trial: First witness Rexburg Det. Ray Hermosillo Part Two

Testimony continued on Wednesday in day two of the trial of Chad Daybell with Detective Ray Hermosillo on the stand.

Chad is charged with three counts of first-degree murder as well as three counts of conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of Tammy Daybell, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow along with Grand Theft and insurance fraud.

Wood continued his questioning Hermosillo about the location where JJ's body was discovered. He admitted several photos taken on June 9th, 2020, of Chad's property and the west side of his house and had Hermosillo review them.

The first photo showed the front of Chad's house with a vehicle parked in the driveway. Hermosillo used a laser pointer to indicate where he stood as well as where Chad was looking when he was on the phone in the car.

The next photo showed the fire pit area on Chad's property. Hermosillo said that there was burned limbs and other debris.

The next picture showed the tree on the property and the pond area. Next was a close-up image that showed a grassy area above where JJ was buried.

The next image showed a thin layer of dirt and white rocks poking through. Wood then asked about the smell. Hermosillo sad as soon as they removed the topsoil, he instantly smelled the smell of a decomposing body.

The next photo showed the white rocks.

The one after that showed the wood paneling under the white rocks. Hermosillo said that they noticed deep thick roots that had already been cut.

The next image showed wet soil found underneath the wood panels. Hermosillo said that once the paneling was removed, the odor became a lot stronger.

The next photo showed a tight-wrapped black plastic item that had been buried under some dirt. Hermosillo says it was not buried too deep.

The next one showed a white piece of plastic and had a little slit in the plastic. There was some brown human hair through the slit of the plastic. Hermosillo said that this was the white plastic that had been inside the black plastic bag.

The next image showed a small body wrapped in black plastic and duct tape. The black plastic bag was in the white plastic.

The next exhibit showed the moist soil after JJ was lifted from the ground. "This is body composition. The body had begun to break down," the detective says. The photo also showed the roots that had been cut.

Hermosillo testified that once JJ's body was taken from the ground, he assisted the coroner and other officers in putting JJ in a body bag. The body was then put into the coroner's car and the corner, and a Freemont County deputy drove to the Madison Memorial Hospital's morgue with Hermosillo and Lt. Ball following behind. He said that once JJ was placed in the morgue, the detectives went back to Chad's house and assisted in a second burial site, which was the pet cemetery.

Hermosillo said that through the course of their investigation they learned that there was a section of land the family deemed as a burial site for their pets. He said, "We knew from talking to family members that the pet cemetery had a little black dog statue next to a post."

Hermosillo said he observed ERT digging in the pet cemetery area. He said ERT had begun removing layers of topsoil. He said once they began to see wet soil poking through, they slowed down and all of them got on their hands and knees and began excavating by hand using trowels and paint brushes. Hermosillo said they took turns digging and they could only work for a few minutes at a time because the smell was so bad.

Hermosillo said as they dug down, they found burnt pieces of flesh, charred bone, fatty tissue and "globs of burnt flesh starting to protrude through the dirt."

He said as they dug deeper, they found something plastic and green. Hermosillo said at that point the ERT team leader decided they were done for the day and Freemont County Sherrif's Office and the Madison County Fire department brought two large light trucks to illuminate the scene. He said that also officers from Rexburg and deputies from Freemont stayed and guarded the site.

Hermosillo said they all returned the next morning and put-up canopies to keep the scene from being compromised as much as they could. He said that they began digging again with "the same little tools to find out exactly what we were going to take out of the ground."

He said they took turns digging again because the smell was so bad and as they methodically removed the dirt the green object started to take a "roundish shape". He said that "At that point we saw what appeared to be the shape of a green melted bucket that appeared to have the remains of what we assumed were Tylee that were charred and burned inside."

Hermosillo said that once they got down to what they believed to be the bottom of the bucket, they saw part of a human skull underneath the bucket. There were also some teeth they ended up excavating underneath. He said that they put some tarps out and they tried to excavate it without it manipulating it in any way but that didn't work, and it all fell apart, so they had to go back and pick up all the pieces individually. Hermosillo said that the smell was horrendous. He said that once they were sure that they got everything out of the ground and measured and photographed, Tylee's remains, and the tarp were put into a body bag taken to the morgue. He said they followed in the same manner as he did with JJ's remains and then returned back to Chad's house.

Wood admitted evidence that only the jurors were allowed to see because they were too graphic. Hermosillo said that the photographs were of the pet cemetery and of Tylee's remains as they took her out of the ground. The first photo was displayed, it was of the pet cemetery with markers by the fire pit and some tarps on the ground.

Hermosillo described the next photo. He said that it showed the change in color of soil from dry to wet. There was a piece of charred dry bone sticking out. "All the little pieces next to it are pieces of the burnt flesh, tissue, we later determined that were organs in the top of inside the bucket."

Hermosillo described the next picture. It said it was burnt flesh still attached to some bone laid out on a blue tarp. It showed part of the hip bone that still has burned flesh attached to it and fatty tissue.

He said that the next photo showed burned flesh inside the bucket.

According to Hermosillo the next photo showed part of a human skull next to the green bucket. "There were teeth there in the dirt as well."

He described the photo after that as of some tarps and hand tools that were used on the scene. The photo was taken after they got that mass out of the wet soil.

He said the next picture showed parts of Tylee when they tried to lift the mass out of the ground. That there were pieces of a skull, charred bone and burned rotting flesh attached to the bone.

Hermosillo said they followed Coroner Brenda Dye to the morgue as she transported Tylee's remains. The morgue was then secured, and the detectives went back to Chad's property. Once back at Chad's house they checked other burial site and made sure that the ERT didn't need assistance. At that point he said they decided they were going to take the remains of JJ and Tylee to the Ada County Coroner's Office for an autopsy. The remains were dropped off around 8-9 p.m. on June 10 at Ada Coroner's Office by the corner with Hermosillo and Ball following behind.

He said the autopsy took place June 11 early in the morning. Hermosillo said he attended the autopsy, but first they had a debrief at the coroner's office. They then went to the room where the autopsies were performed, signed in and put on white booties. The detectives then stood back against the wall while the autopsy took place.

He said the first body bag was brought out and opened it to reveal the black plastic wrapped small body. The doctor cut down the plastic and Hermosillo saw JJ with duct tape from his chin to his forehead, area wrap tightly around his head. He said that JJ had red pajama pants on, along with a red pajama shirt. He said JJ's arms were folded across his body and there was duct tape from elbow all the way around to his other elbow. JJ's ankles were bound with duct tape, and he was wearing his nighttime pull ups as well as his black sketcher socks. Hermosillo said the skin was sluffing and appeared to be blueish-green, black, yellow.

He said then that Dr. Warren and his team then cut the white plastic that was around JJ's head with duct tape. Hermosillo noticed that duct tape stretched from draw line to draw line wrap around J J's mouth. He said that the doctor also cut these several layers of duct tape from Jj's arms which revealed more layers of duct tape that had Jj's wrists bound. He said that the doctor then took off his clothes to reveal his nighttime pull up.

Once all the duct tape and the bag were removed, Hermosillo noticed from the photos he had seen that it was in fact JJ's remains.

He said once JJ's clothing was removed Dr. Warren pointed out some bruises on his arms, ankles and chest, as well as some scratch marks on the side of his neck. he said at that point Dr Warren's team performed an autopsy.

Wood admitted more photos. Hermosillo said they show JJ Vallow lying on the table after the autopsy team cut open the black plastic bag. Judge Boyce announced that there were graphic nature and only a jury would be able to see them.

Hermosillo went on to describe the first image. He said it showed what it looked like after they removed the plastic from JJ's body. There was duct tape wrapped around JJ's entire face. His red pajamas were still soaked with body the decomposition. "The level of duct tape on his arms is what really caught my attention" Hermosillo said. JJ had a white and blue child's blanket wrapped around him.

Hermosillo said that in the next photo was of JJ's lower half. He still had his red pajama pants on, his ankles were still wrapped in duct tape, and he had his black sketcher socks on. His legs and body were soaked with the decomposition.

The next photo he said was what they saw after Dr. Warren cut the plastic and duct tape off of J J's head. There was a layer of duct tape around his mouth that went from jawline to jawline. His brown hair was still matted down to his head wet and soaked from the decomposition.

Hermosillo said that the next photo was of the white bag that had been covering JJ's head. In the bag there was body decomposition that looked like blood.

He said that the next photo was another photo of JJ. In the picture it showed the tape was starting to lose its stickiness on JJ's face due to the body decomposition.

The judge then decided to take a recess.

After the recess Wood continued to question Hermosillo about JJ's autopsy. When the autopsy was concluded, Hermosillo said Dr. Warren and his team removed JJ from the autopsy table and brought out the second black body bag and placed it on the table. He said that next doctor Warren and his team opened the body bag looked at the remains and said there was nothing he could do at that time as far as an autopsy. Hermosillo said that at that point They left the coroner's office because there was nothing else that could do that day.

He said that the next day, on June 12, he went with Ball back to the Ada County Coroner's Office. They picked up some evidence and transported it to the state lab in Meridian and were checked.

Hermosillo testified that during the investigation he worked with Fremont County. He confirmed that his primary focus was finding JJ and Tylee. He said that during his investigation Fremont County Sheriff's Office was investigating the death of Chad's wife Tammy. He said that they would meet with Freemont County and discuss the case together. He said it was important that they were working together the suspects in that case were the same suspects in the missing kid case. He said, "At that point we were still looking for two small children, so it was imperative to us that we shared information and gathered information from neighboring counties and anybody that was involved in this case."

Wood then asked Hermosillo if he was familiar with Charles Vallow. Hermosillo answered he was. He said that Charles was married to Lori and died on July 11, 2019, after being shot and killed by Lori's brother Alex.

Wood then asked him about the Jeep that law enforcement in Arizona were looking for. Wood asked him if he knew why they sought out the Jeep. He replied yes that the Jeep was used in the attempted homicide of Lori's former nephew in law Brandon Boudreaux. He also mentioned that Alex was a suspect in that case as well.

Wood then asked Hermosillo if he was aware of the incident that happened on October 9th, 2019, involving Tammy. Hermosillo said that she believed she was shot at in her driveway by what she initially reported was a paintball gun.

During his investigation Hermosillo prepared timeline on the case that Wood was able to admit that timeline into evidence after some objecting by Prior. He also prepared a chart with key figures from the case in order to aid and investigation. Hermosillo began reading the timeline.

This is not his chart this is a chart that I made.

• July 11th, 2019- Charles Vallow was killed by Alex Cox
• September 2nd or 3rd, 2019- Lori, Alex, Tylee and JJ moved to Rexburg, Idaho.
• September 8th, 2019- Tylee's last known proof of life, which is the photos taken at Yellowstone.
• September 22nd, 2019- JJ's last proof of life, which is a photo taken with him sitting on Lori's couch.
• October 2nd, 2019- Attempted shooting of Brandon Boudreaux, which was Melanie P's husband at the time.
• October 9th, 2019- attempted shooting of Tammie Daybell.
• October 19th, 2019- Tammy died.
• November 1st, 2019- Detective Ray Hermosillo was contacted by Freemont County about Tylee's jeep that was seen fleeing Brandon's shooting.
• November 4th, 2019- The jeep was seized at Lori's home.
• November 5th, 2019- Lori and Chad were married in Kauai, Hawaii.
• November 25th, 2019- Ray was asked to do a welfare check on JJ Vallow.
• November 26th, 2019- Ray talked with Alex and Chad outside Lori's home. The pair alleged that Lori wasn't home. Alex said he didn't have Lori's phone number and Chad said he barely knew Lori.
• November 27th, 2019- The search warrant was executed at Lori's house.
• June 9th, 2020- The search warrant for Chad Daybell's house was executed and JJ and Tylee's remains were found.
• June 10th, 2020- The day the children's remains were taken to the ADA county's coroner's office.

Wood was finished with his questioning and now it was John Prior's turn to cross examine Hermosillo.

Prior asks Hermosillo about a number of witnesses he has interviewed including Melanie Gibb and David Warwick. 

Prior asks Hermosillo if he's supposed to look at evidence as a whole and not to judge and to remain neutral during an investigation. Hermosillo confirmed that was true. Prior then asked him what he does with the evidence. Hermosillo said he follows the evidence and puts a case together and provides it to the prosecutors. Prior then talked about blurring the lines between prosecutor and detective and says that a prosecutor for instance doesn't show up to a crime scene. Hermosillo said that he's had prosecutors show up to certain investigations and that it is important for the prosecutor to have all the information. Prior wanted to know if that created a problem in his mind. He then asked Hermosillo if it was appropriate for a prosecutor to interview witnesses and then inject their own opinions. Hermosillo said that if it was their personal opinion no that it would not be appropriate.

Prior then discussed the body cams. Hermosillo confirms that all the detectives share one body camera. Prior then asked what the policy was reporting or trying to preserve a recording when an interviewing witnesses. Hermosillo said that when they happened at the station they are recorded. 

Prior then asked about the day Hermosillo went to Lori's apartment. Hermosillo confirmed that he went with officers Ron Ball, David Stubbs and Dave Hope all arriving in at different times. Hermosillo said the purpose was to do a welfare check on JJ. He said that it was just him and hope at first and then because the lies that they were told it's David Stubbs and Ron Ball were called in. Prior asked Hermosillo to confirm that nobody thought of pulling out their phone and doing an audio or video recording of the conversations that they had with Chad and Alex. Hermosillo said that Prior was correct.

Prior then asked Hermosillo to confirm that nobody ever threatened Chad to give over Lori's cell phone number. He said the Prior was correct. Hermosillo said that he had to ask Chad twice for Lori's phone number because he refused the first time. 

Prior then asked Hermosillo about the paintball gun incident. Prior said that at first Hermosillo referred to it as a paintball gun incident and then later referred to it as a shooting. Hermosillo answered, "I guess". 

Prior asked Hermosillo if he's had a chance to look at all the evidence in case. Hermosillo confirmed that he had. Prior then asked Hermosillo if he had seen all the evidence in relation to Tammy death. Hermosillo replied yes. Prior then show the court the Facebook post Tammy wrote about the paintball incident in her driveway. 

“Something really weird just happened, and I want you to know so you can watch out,” Tammy wrote on her Facebook. “I had gotten home and parked in our front driveway. As I was getting stuff out of the back seat, a guy wearing a ski mask was suddenly standing by the back of my car with a paintball gun. He shot at me several times, although I don’t think it was loaded. I yelled for Chad, and he ran off around the back of my house.”

Prior pointed out that it was a paintball gun that Tammy claimed that the guy used to shoot at her with. 

He then asked Hermosillo if he looked at the search engine for Tammy Daybell's account. Hermosillo replied he had not. 

Then Prior then asked if he had listened to the 911 call about the paintball incident. Hermosillo said he had. Prior asked him to confirm that Tammy mentioned in the call that she was shot at with a paintball. Hermosillo said that that was correct. Prior asked Hermosillo if he was going on a hunch that it was a gun that was used to shoot at Tammy. Hermosillo said no that he had evidence of Alex's Google searches about shooting through a Dodge Dakota at that time. Prior then asked him if he had evidence where Alex was at the time of the incident. Hermosillo answered, "Yes sir" and that Alex was at the Daybell residence that day.  Prior then asked Hermosillo about the Dodge Dakota Tammy got out of. He wanted to know if Hermosillo knew who was driving. Hermosillo said no. Prior asked if Chad Daybell had been driving the vehicle, would they'd be trying to look at if Alex was trying to shoot Chad. Hermosillo said Chad didn't call 911 Tammy did.

The court then took a lunch break.

When court readjourned Prior asked Hermosillo about Alex's internet searches. Hermosillo said that Alex had Googled what caliber would take to shoot through the windshield of a Dodge Dakota. Prior want to know if because of the Google searches that Alex did is that why he thought that Alex was trying to kill Tammy. Hermosillo said yes along with Alex being at Chad's house earlier that same day. Prior than asked Hermosillo to confirm that "We don't know who Was driving the Dodge Dakota regularly do we?" Hermosillo said that he was correct.

Prior went back to talk about June 9th and asked Hermosillo if Chad left his house at a high rate of speed. Hermosillo said that was correct. Prior and then asked him if he knew that when Chad had left that he had left in the Dakota. Hermosillo said that he didn't live in the Dakota that it was another vehicle. 

Prior said then he was going to do a recap. He said that the account that Alex had used to do his Google search was under Homer J. Maximus. He also said that "we" know the Alex Googled what caliber it took to penetrate a Dodge Dakota. To both of statements Hermosillo answered correct. Prior then said that "we" don't know who the intended target was that it was just someone who owned the vehicle. Hermosillo said he assumed so. Prior asked if those events were why he thought Alex wanted to kill Tammy.  Hermosillo said that that was correct. 

Prior wanted to know if Hermosillo took into consideration Alex did the Google searches. He said he did, but he couldn't remember the date unless he looked at his notes. Prior said he would help Hermosillo out a little bit and then displayed an exhibit that showed that Alex Googled the terms on Oct. 12, 2019.  Prior then asked if that was the only time a Google search was done. Hermosillo said on the evening of Oct. 9, 2019, which was the night Tammy was shot at, Alex Googled "how to make an AR-15 function in cold weather." 

Prior asked Hermosillo if Alex had a habit of Googling a lot of things. Hermosillo says he couldn't answer that. Prior asked Hermosillo about Alex Googling Hannibal Lecter. Hermosillo said he was not aware of that. Prior said that they would get back to the Hannibal Lecter "thing" but first he wanted to go through some of Alex other Google searches. Prior showed that Alex Googled "sharpening swords" three days after Tammy Daybell died. The next search Alex did was on Oct. 23, "15 Facts About 'Silence of the Lambs' You Didn't Know." Prior asked Hermosillo if he recalled that search. Hermosillo said did not. 

Prior then asked Hermosillo if he did a check on all the guns and knives found in apartment 175 which is where Lori had lived, but Alex's name was on the tenant agreement. Hermosillo said he personally did not, and he didn't know how to do a check on knives. Prior then asked Hermosillo if he was assumed that the guns, knives and ammunition belonged to Alex. Hermosillo said yes, they were found in his belongings.

Prior then said he wanted to talk about Charles Vallow. He asked Hermosillo who was charged in the death of Charles. Hermosillo responded that Lori was. Prior now asks Hermosillo who is charged in the death of Charles Vallow. Prior then asked if he was aware that Chad Daybell was not charged in Maricopa County in relation to Charles. Hermosillo yes, he was aware.

Prior then moved on to ask Hermosillo who was charged in the allegations against Brandon Boudreaux. Hermosillo replied that Lori was. He then asked Hermosillo if he was aware Chad was not charged in connection to Brandon's shooting. Hermosillo said yes.

Prior asked Hermosillo if he had evidence as to who killed Charles. Hermosillo said yes. Prior than asked him who he thought killed Charles. Hermosillo answered Alex. Prior then asked Hermosillo he thought took a shot at Brandon. Hermosillo answered Alex to that question as well.

Prior then asked Hermosillo if he got to look into Alex's past. He replied that he did briefly. Prior asked Hermosillo if he was aware that Alex assaulted Joseph Ryan in 2007. Hermosillo answered yes. Prior than asked him if there were any indication that Chad knew Lori back then. Hermosillo said not to his knowledge.

Prior moved on to the initial welfare check for JJ in November 2019 at Lori's apartment. He asked Hermosillo if he followed up with calls to Chad. He said that was right. Hermosillo replied that every time they called Chad, it went straight to voicemail. Prior then asked if Hermosillo went through Chad's phone records. He said that he personally had not. 

Prior then talked about the empty hangers in the closets in Lori's apartment. He asked Hermosillo if there were any indication that she had boxed up the clothes and had them sent somewhere else. Hermosillo said he didn't know. Prior wanted to confirm that he knew that Chad was married to Lori at that time. Hermosillo answered that that was correct. Prior then asked him if it was his allegation that Chad left and tried to avoid law enforcement. Hermosillo said he couldn't answer that. He said that all he knew was that he couldn't get a hold of Chad after the day of the welfare check at the end of November. Prior then asked Hermosillo if he had gained any information that Chad had went on a vacation at the end of November. Hermosillo sad that they later learned Chad was in California. He then asked Hermosillo if he was aware that when Chad was in California, he was at Knotts Berry farm with his kids on a family vacation. Hermosillo said that he couldn't testify to that. All he knew was that Chad had been in California. 

Prior asked Hermosillo to confirm that Chad had went to Hawaii after the California trip. Hermosillo said yes. Prior asked Hermosillo if they made contact with Chad when he was in Hawaii. Hermosillo replied yes. Prior then asked how they found out Chad was in Hawaii. Hermosillo said it was through tips and cell phone data. Prior asked if they looked at plane records. Hermosillo explained each officer was tasked with different things. He said that a financial officer did look through finances and he assumed that the officer looked through plane records and finances.

Prior said that he was going to switch gears again. He confirmed with Hermosillo that he received a subpoena from his office and excepted it. Prior the asked him if he was willing to come back and testify if he needed him again. Hermosillo said yes.

Prior went back to talk about Hermosillo's investigation specifically pertaining to JJ. He asked Hermosillo if JJ's last known proof of life was September 22nd, 2019. Hermosillo acknowledge it was. Prior said that the last known proof of life for Tylee was September 8th of 2019. He says there was a 15-day gap between JJ's and Tylee's proof of life. Hermosillo said "roughly". Prior asked if as part of his investigation if Hermosillo looked into where JJ was on the 22nd. He answered "correct". Prior said that JJ was at Lori's home on the 22nd. Hermosillo said that was correct. Hermosillo said correct when Prior said that Lori, JJ, Melanie Gibb and David Warwick were there. Prior said that Lori, Melanie and David were recording a religious podcast, and that the allegation was that JJ was acting up and Alex took JJ into apartment 107. Hermosillo said that was correct. Prior asked if the last time JJ was seen was later that evening when Alex carried him back into Lori's apartment. Hermosillo said yes. Prior said that sometime that evening was when Hermosillo believed JJ was murdered and then buried on Chad's property the next morning. Hermosillo replied yes. 

Prior then asked Hermosillo if he had talked to Melanie Gibb and David Warwick. He replied that that was right. Hermosillo confirmed that he went to Provo, Utah on June 4th, 2020, and interviewed Gibb and Warwick with Lt. Ron Ball and prosecutor Rob Wood. Prior asked if the conversation was recorded. Hermosillo said that the very beginning wasn't because the recorder malfunctioned. Prior said that the recording was around 22 minutes. Hermosillo said that didn't sound right because they were there for about an hour. 

Prior said that the photos that had been shown in court suggested that JJ had been found in red pajamas and Sketchers socks. Prior then asked if JJ was wearing red pajamas when he was carried upstairs by Alex. Hermosillo said he didn't know. Prior was done with the questioning.

Wood began his re-direct. He asked Hermosillo who Chad was with when he first met him. Hermosillo said it was Alex. Wood then asked the if Chad looked afraid of Alex. Hermosillo replied "No". Wood asked if Alex was Chad's brother-in-law. Hermosillo said yes.

Wood asked Hermosillo if in cross examination he was asked about his beliefs. Hermosillo said yes.

Wood then asked Hermosillo what the scope of his investigation was. He answered that initially it was to find the Jeep then he confirmed that it expanded to find the whereabouts of JJ and Tylee. Wood asked Hermosillo to confirm that during the investigation he was getting his information from various sources. Hermosillo said that was correct.

Wood then showed the timeline on the screen. He then asked Hermosillo if he was asked his beliefs regarding the paintball incident. Hermosillo answered yes and confirmed that he didn't believe that it was a paintball gun. He said that during the course of the investigation, they learned that the night before the shooting Alex Googled about drop yardage from 300 yards to 100 yards. Hermosillo said that meant that you are adjusted the sights to your target. They also found out that Alex drove up and down the road on Chad's property and also on the property the morning Tammy was shot at. He said that also the evening that Tammy was shot at was cold and Alex did Google searches under the name Homer J. Maximus on how to make an AR-15 function in cold weather. Hermosillo said that was why they believed it wasn't just a paintball gun. "We believe Alex Cox was there to shoot Tammy Daybell."

Wood then asked if the fact Tammy died 10 days after the incident had any bearing on whether he believed it was a paintball gun. Hermosillo replied yes. Wood asked if the fact Chad got married 17 days after Tammy died had a bearing on his believe it was a paintball gun. Hermosillo says yes to that question as well.

Wood asked that if finding two kids buried on Chad's property had any bearing on whether or not he believed it was a paintball gun. Hermosillo said yes.

Wood asked that if learning that Lori's husband died within months of the other deaths had any bearing on whether he believed it was a paintball gun. Hermosillo said absolutely.

Wood asked him if Brandon being shot at have any bearing on his belief if it was a paintball gun. Hermosillo said yes.

Wood said, "And it was your belief that Alex was tied to these events, correct?" Hermosillo answered yes.

Wood then said to Hermosillo that since he was asked about his beliefs, was it his belief that Chad was tied to those events. Hermosillo answered yes, that based on their investigation, that the lies they had been told and the fact that they tried to get a hold of the kid's mother Lori, their stepfather Chad and their uncle Alex to no avail.

Wood asked Hermosillo if during the course of his investigation, did he find out when Chad died her one Alex died. He said yes December 12, 2019. Wood then asked him if any time after Alex died, did Chad called the police and inform them that there might be two dead children buried on his property. Hermosillo said Chad did not. He asked Hermosillo if Chad called the police after Alex died and told them that he was concerned that somebody might have harmed his wife. Hermosillo said no. Wood wanted to know if Chad called the police before Alex died and said that his life might be in danger. The last question was objected to by Prior and so it wasn't answered.

Wood asked Hermosillo what the first thing was he asked Chad when he first met him. Hermosillo said he asked Chad when the last time was he saw JJ. He said that Chad said that he last saw JJ in October An apt 1O7 with Lori. Wood then asked Hermosillo if he had asked Chad for Lori's cell phone number. He answered he had. Wood then asked him what Chad's response was. Hermosillo said that Chad's response was that he didn't know Lori's cell phone number.

Wood's the last question was did Hermosillo follow where the evidence took him in this case. He answered yes.

Darkmatter: Chad Daybell Trial: First witness Rexburg Det. Ray Hermosillo Part One. (darkmatter69.blogspot.com)

Chad Daybell Trial: First witness Rexburg Det. Ray Hermosillo Part One.

 

The first witness called to the stand yesterday in the Chad Daybell trial was Rexburg Det. Ray Hermosillo with Rob Wood doing the questioning for the prosecution.

Chad is charged with three counts of first-degree murder as well as three counts of conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of Tammy Daybell, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow along with Grand Theft and insurance fraud.

Hermosillo has been detective department with Rexburg police for about five years and in law enforcement for 18 years.

Hermosillo said that he was contacted on November 1st, 2019, by Fremont County Sheriff's Office who said there was possibly a Jeep in Rexburg that was involved in a homicide in Arizona. He said that he contacted Gilbert Police and asked them how he could help. They asked him to seize the Jeep if it could be found. Gilbert asked Rexburg to conduct intermittent surveillance on 565 Pioneer Road in Rexburg. Hermosillo says they surveilled the residence between Nov. 1-4 and located the jeep there. Hermosillo says Chad and Lori were observed a few times at the location. Wood then admitted four photos into evidence and asked Hermosillo to look at them.

Prior had some questions about the evidence. He asked Hermosillo if he went through the Jeep or took photos himself. Hermosillo said he went through the Jeep personally but wasn't the one who took the photos. Prior had no further questions.

Wood then showed two photos of the Jeep to the jurors. It was a gray Jeep that was registered to Charles Vallow, but Tylee Ryan drove it. The next photo showed the back of the Jeep with a Texas license plate.

Hermosillo said that he never saw children with Lori or Chad. He said at that time he didn't know who JJ or Tylee were, nor were the Rexburg police asked to look for the kids.

He said that after the Jeep was seized Gilbert police detectives and crime analysts flew to Rexburg on Nov. 18, 2019, and served a warrant. They were looking for the infotainment system that contained the GPS locations. They also asked him that if he had seen any children in his surveillance and he had not.

Hermosillo then said Gilbert police asked Rexburg to do a welfare check on JJ Vallow. Gilbert police provided Rexburg with a brief description of JJ and with the address 565 Pioneer Rd. where JJ was supposedly living with Lori.

Wood then admitted three exhibits. The first was Canaan Todd Trahan's birth certificate from Lake Charles, Louisiana with a birth date of May 25th, 2012.

The second exhibit was an adoption decree for Canaan Trahan which stated the name of Canaan Trahan was changed to Joshua Jackson Vallow.

Exhibit three was Joshua Jackson Vallow's birth certificate.

Wood then asked Hermosillo if during his investigation if he had learned what JJ Vallow looked like. Hermosillo said he did. He said that he received a few photos of JJ from Gilbert police and JJ's grandmother, Kay Woodcock. He said photos and video of JJ were found on Lori Vallow's iCloud account.

Wood then admitted admits exhibit four, a photo of JJ Vallow, into evidence. Prior asked the source of the photo. Hermosillo said it came from Vallow's iCloud account.

Wood showed the photo of JJ to the jury and gallery. Hermosillo said that on Nov. 25, 2019, he got a call from Gilbert Police Detective Pillar requesting a welfare check on JJ the next morning. Hermosillo did do a well fare check the next day with detective Dave Hope. He said that as they approached, they noticed Chad and Alex unloading a pickup near the garage area.

Hermosillo testified that he knew who Chad and Alex were. He said that he got out of his vehicle and made contact with Alex, who was standing on the driver's side of his pickup and Chad was standing on the passenger side. Hermosillo asked Alex if Lori was home, and he said she was not. Hermosillo asked if JJ was home and said that he was there to do a welfare check. Hermosillo told the court, "At that point, Alex got surprised, frightened look on his face, looked over across the pickup at defendant Daybell. Daybell then looked back at Alex and initially neither one of them answered my question."

Hermosillo said that he asked them again if JJ was home Alex eventually answered and said JJ was with his grandmother in Louisiana. Hermosillo told the court that at that time he had been concerned because at that time he informed Alex that it was unlikely that JJ was with his grandmother Kay because she was the one who called in the welfare check.

Hermosillo said that in response Alex looked over at Chad and they both looked at each other. He then asked Alex where he could find Lori. Alex told Hermosillo Lori was in the same complex a few apartments down in #107.

Hermosillo then said he asked Alex for Lori's cell phone number. Alex said he didn't have it. Rexburg police knew Alex and Lori were siblings and extremely close. "When Alex told me he didn't have his sister's cell phone number, I assumed he was lying to me."

He said that after he received the information, he went with Hope to apartment 107 to find JJ. They said he knocked on the door but there was no answer. Hope then knocked on the neighbor's doors while Hermosillo walked back to his vehicle to call for more detectives. He called for reinforcements "because of the deception from Alex. I wanted to figure out exactly what was going on and we were going to start canvassing the area and knocking on doors."

As Hermosillo approached his car, he noticed Chad driving towards him in a black Chevy Equinox. Hermosillo stopped him to talk and asked Chad when the last time he saw JJ Vallow. Chad stated that it was in it was in October in apt. 107 with Lori Vallow. He then proceeded to tell Hermosillo he had only met Lori a couple times and didn't know her very well.

Hermosillo said that he was concerned at that time because through the course of his investigation he knew Chad and Lori were married two weeks prior. He said that he then asked Chad for Lori's phone number and Chad said he didn't have it. He said that as he was speaking to Chad detective Hope saw them and walked back toward them. As Hope approached, he asked Chad again for Lori's number. Chad told Hermosillo that he felt like he was being accused of something and that's why he didn't give him the number the first time.

Hermosillo testified that he was not wearing a body camera at the time because as a detective most interviews are done at the department in a controlled environment with cameras. He said that Patrol officers are assigned body cameras, but detectives are not.

Hermosillo said that he called his Lieutenant, Ron Ball and told him what was going on. Hermosillo said that he felt that the lies and the deception from Chad and Alex at the time was concerning and he wanted everyone he could to respond to the complex to find out what was going on with Jj's whereabouts.

He said that a few minutes later Ball arrived with detective Dave Stubbs, who had a body cam at that point. He said they began knocking on doors. So that they also went back to Lori's apartment, and nobody answered.

Hermosillo said that during their investigation they learned Melanie Boudreaux, Lori's niece, lived right next door to Lori So at that point they knocked on her door as well to see if JJ or Lori were there but nobody answered.

Hermosillo said that he was instructed to go to the prosecutor's office and asked for a search warrant to search the residence for JJ Vallow while the other detectives stayed on scene and to continue to knock on doors in that complex. Hermosillo said that "At that point, our only focus was to find JJ and we were going to exhaust every means to do that."

He said that he did not obtain warrant that day because while he was on the way, Lori had called Hope back after he had tried to reach her earlier and was unsuccessful. He said that Lori was instructed to open her door to detectives Stubbs and Ball who were waiting outside. Hermosillo said that their interaction with Lori was recorded. He said that in the recording of the interaction with Lori, she told detectives that JJ was with a family friend named Melani Gibb in Gilbert AZ.

Hermosillo said that they attempted to locate Gibb, which was fruitless, so he contacted Det. Pillar in Arizona. Pillar went to Gibb's residence and around 9 p.m., Rexburg police learned JJ was not there.

Hermosillo proceeded to contact Ball and they agreed to meet at prosecutors early the next morning to get search warrants on apts. 175 (Lori's), 174 (Melani's) and 107.

The warrants were executed on Nov. 27, 2019. They first searched apartment 175. He said everything looked ordinary, there were couches, there were papers on the table, food in the refrigerator and in the pantry. They said when they went upstairs there were beds and there were pictures. He said it appeared to them that people did live there. But what caught their attention was there was no clothes on hangers.

Hermosillo said that they did not find JJ in the apartment but there was a couple of things that indicated that he did live there at one point in time. He said that they located a child's Star Wars suitcase under a little crawl space under the stairs mixed in with 72-hour kits and an old prescription bottle for JJ. There was also some scooters and a small child's bike on the porch. Hermosillo said they then seized the Risperidone prescription and the suitcase.

He said that police then searched apartment 174. He said that there were no signs of JJ, no signs that he was ever there.

Apt. 107 was searched as well, and it was completely vacant.

In apt. 174, police found large amounts of cash in a closet and seized it for safekeeping.

In apt. 175, police found several different styles of weapons in the garage - handguns, rifles, various calibers, army knives and seized them for safekeeping.

A rental contract was also found for a storage unit belonging to Lori. The storage unit was searched as well.

He said that there were children's bikes, winter clothing, some ice skates, a personalized family blanket, family photos, etc. inside the storage unit.

Hermosillo testified that at the time they weren't looking for nor did they see Tylee because she hadn't been reported missing yet.

After a lunch break Wood continued to question Hermosillo about the search of Lori's apartment and also asked to admit more exhibits.

The exhibits were photos taken of Lori's residence on Nov. 27, 2019. Prior asked what time the photos were taken. Hermosillo answered that it was between 10 a.m. and noon. Prior then asked again who took the pictures who took the pictures Hermosillo responded that he didn't know. Prior objected to having the pictures admitted. Wood said he wanted to lay more foundation. Judge Boyce overrules the objection with the exception of one photo.

The photos were then shown to the jury. The first picture is the front porch area of apt. 175. The next photo shows the front room/kitchen area. A child's suitcase was on the floor along with some other items. The next photo showed pictures on the walls, the TV, papers on the counter. The next image was the Star Wars suitcase and under the stairs. The next photo showed the top of the stairwell looking down into the bottom of the stairs. The next image showed the master bedroom. There was bedding and pillows on the mattress. 

The next photo was Hermosillo said is what caused red flags when searching the apartment. It was a photo of the of closet with the empty hangers. Hermosillo said that "It appeared to us that she grabbed her clothes, left everything else and took off."

The next picture was the bedroom on the right-hand side where police found some of Alex's belongings including a plastic tub. There were two white suits laid out on the floor. The room to the left had twin beds with bedding. 

Wood admitted a photo of a rental agreement to the storage unit that Lori had signed, which had been found on the desk in the master bedroom,

Wood presented more exhibits for Hermosillo to review. They were photos taken in apt. 175 and in the garage on Nov. 27, 2019. Prior objected to the photos and then asked who took them. Hermosillo said Det. Dave Hope took them. Boyce overruled objection.

The first photo showed rifle magazines on the floor that were inside tubs. There were also suppressors, ammunition, a ghillie suit and along with some other items. The next photo showed clothing laid out on the floor that had been found in black plastic bags. The next photo was of various calibers of ammunition. The next picture showed a rifle that was found inside the garage with duct tape on it. The top of the rifle was threaded for a suppressor to muffle the sound of a gunshot. The next photo showed the exact same rifle along with another rifle. The next picture was a close-up of the rifle followed by a photo that showed two suppressors. The picture after that showed knives found among the ammunition in the tubs. The next photo showed a handgun in a case found inside the garage. The next one showed a Halloween mask found in a plastic bag in the garage along with duct tape and rope. The next photo showed the rope and duct tape in a Walmart bag. The last photo showed Alex's passport found in the belongings.

Wood moved to admit more exhibits and Prior interrupted to ask about police staging the items and what items were photographed. Hermosillo testified they took pictures of anything they thought was of evidentiary value.

The photos were admitted. The first picture showed a printed email, sent from Chad Daybell in Oct.  2018, of what was located in the garage. It showed names and numbers associated with names. The other photos showed more printed email papers. The next photo showed books written by Chad that were found in a tub. The final photo was off a cell phone found in a tub in the garage. 

Hermosillo testified that JJ had not been located during the search on Nov. 27, 2019. He said that next step was to talk to anyone who would take their phone calls. He said that "JJ was who we were looking for, so we were exhausting every effort to find JJ." 

Hermosillo said that they called siblings, family members, anyone really who might know the whereabouts of JJ. He said they ended up speaking to Brandon Boudreaux, Melani Boudreaux and Tylee's brother Colby Ryan. He said that after he spoke with Colby, the search grew to include Tylee.

Wood then asked Hermosillo if while he had searched for JJ if he had found Tylee or found any evidence of her whereabouts. Hermosillo said he hadn't. 

Wood admitted Tylee Ryan's birth certificate into evidence.

On Dec. 11, 2019, JJ and Tylee were entered into the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). After November 27tth, 2019, the FBI, Chandler police and Gilbert police were contacted to help in the search.

Hermosillo said they tried to contact Lori on her cell phone, but it was shut off. He said they tried to contact Chad but his cell as well. He said neither Lori nor Chad never reported the children as missing.

He said they set up multiple tip hotlines so anyone with information on JJ and Tylee could call. He said they received tips, and those tips were all assigned numbers. They were followed up on by detectives and other officers.

Hermosillo said he learned about the location of Chad and Lori the beginning of January 2020 after eyewitnesses called into the police department and said the couple was on Kauai. Hermosillo issued cell phone warrants that helped locate Chad and Lori.

Hermosillo arrived in Hawaii on Jan. 24, 2020, to assist in serving the courts order to Lori and Chad to produce Tylee and JJ in Rexburg. Hermosillo said the next day he observed Kauai Police serve a search warrant on Chad and Lori's condo and the other on a rental car.

He said everything looked normal at the condo. He said that it appeared that two adults were living there. There were two beach towels, food in the fridge and couches. He said that JJ and Tylee were not there and there was nothing that showed a child or teenager lived there.

He said that Lori never produced her children to the Rexburg Police Department or the Department of Health and Welfare. Wood then presented an exhibit which was a photo of Tylee Ryan taken from her Instagram account.

Wood then asked Hermosillo what the phrase "proof of life" meant to him as a detective. He said it was anything such as a video or a photo that could be used to prove the last time somebody was seen alive. He then testified that the last known "proof of life" for Tylee was a picture of Tylee at West Yellowstone taken from Lori's "Lori4Style" iCloud account.

Wood admitted more photos without objection. 

The first photo had been taken on Sept. 8, 2019. Hermosillo said they were unable to find any photos showing Tylee alive after the Yellowstone picture.

The next was a photo of JJ sitting on the couch in apt. 175 on Sept. 22, 2019, at 11:46 a.m. It was on the Lori4Style account.

Hermosillo said that the next step in the investigation was to reach out to anyone who might know where JJ was. He said they reached out to the family, FBI, and other agencies "anybody that would take our calls".

During the search for the kids, Hermosillo was aware of an investigation in Fremont County regarding the suspicious death of Chad's wife Tammy who died on Oct. 19, 2019. 

Wood then asked Hermosillo if he ever executed a search warrant on Chad Daybell's house. He said he had on June 9, 2020. He said he has arrived about 7 a.m. with Ron Ball, Dave Stubbs and two other detectives.

Wood admitted a Google Earth image that showed the Daybell's property. Hermosillo indicated that he was familiar with the general layout of the yard and house.

Hermosillo said the FBI, the FBI ERT (evidence recovery team), the AG, Fremont County Sheriff's Office and Rexburg Police conducted the search warrant. 

Hermosillo said that when they first arrived at Chad's house they knocked on the front door and Chad's son, Mark Daybell, answered. He was eating cereal and said his dad was still sleeping. He let the police in they showed him the warrant. He then took them to where Chad was sleeping in a bedroom above the garage. Chad asked if he could get dressed. He then met them downstairs. They gave him the warrant and Chad asked to speak with his attorney. They were in the kitchen, and he sat down and called his attorney at the time, Mark Means. Chad then sat on a recliner in the front room and read through the search warrant while his kids sat on the couch. Chad then asked the police if he needed to leave while they conducted their business. They told him that he didn't need to leave, but if he chose to stay, he would be accompanied by an officer for safety purposes.

Hermosillo said that Chad then asked to make a phone call. He and Hermosillo went outside. Chad then asked to sit in the car to make his call. Hermosillo stood in the grass near the vehicle while Chad was inside it is making his call. Wood then showed the satellite map displaying the Daybell property. Hermosillo used a laser pointer to show on the map where he and Chad were in the front of the home. He showed where the shop, back driveway and pasture areas were.

Hermosillo said that he observed Chad while he was on the phone. He said that as the call progressed, he had the phone in his right hand and was intently looking over his right shoulder. Hermosillo said that "I found it odd. I wanted to see what he was looking at, so I maneuvered myself to see what he was so intently looking at." What Hermosillo said he saw was enforcement officers marking off different areas on the property. "There were some ERT members marking off a section under this tree right next to the pond area," Hermosillo said, pointing with the laser to the area on the map.

Hermosillo said that next he was tasked with going through the dirt in the fire pit. He said he went through the dirt in the fire pit area with some others and put it in a sifter. He said it was around 9 a.m. and they sifted in the fire pit around 35-45 minutes.

Hermosillo said ERT members needed more people to help then search a 6x6 section they had marked off under the tree near the pond. He left the fire pit area to go help. He described the area. "There was taller shrubs. In middle of the 6x6 section, it looked like there was a little bit of grass, the length of sod, and some dirt protruding through the grass."

Hermosillo said the ERT began excavating that site. He said as they removed the first layer of ground, he saw three large white rocks. He said as soon as they did that, they could start to smell a decomposing body. Underneath the layer rocks were two pieces of thin boards. He said that after the boards were removed there was a discoloration in the dirt. He explained that the discoloration was because the dirt was wet and moist. Hermosillo said after they removed the dirt, police found a black round object. He said that "It appeared to take the shape of the crown of a human head." Hermosillo said that at that point, the ERT team leader made a slit in the black plastic opened it up a little bit. Underneath the black plastic Hermosillo said was another white layer of plastic. He said that they're a team member the ERT team leader made a slit in that as well and opened it up a little bit. Hermosillo said that underneath that it looked to be brown human hair.

Hermosillo said that as soon as that discovery was made there was a call over the radio that Chad was leaving his daughter's residence kitty-corner to Chad's house "at a high rate of speed. He said at that point Chad was pulled over and taken into custody.

Hermosillo said the ERT continued to excavate under the tree, and they discovered a small body wrapped in black plastic.

Court was then adjourned for the day.

Darkmatter: Chad Daybell Trial: Defense Opening Statements. (darkmatter69.blogspot.com)

Chad Daybell Trial: Defense Opening Statements.

John Prior began the defenses opening statements in the trial of Chad Daybell. Chad is charged with three counts of first-degree murder as well as three counts of conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of Tammy Daybell, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow along with Grand Theft and insurance fraud.

Prior started out by saying what is important is facts and evidence. He said not to get distracted by other things such as speculation or guesses.

Prior said that Chad went on a mission early in his life to talk to people about his religious beliefs. He served his mission in New Jersey, returned home and he then dated Tammy for six months. They then got married and had five children. Then they moved to Idaho and started a small publishing company that was predominantly run by Tammy. At the publishing company they published Chad's books. Prior said that Chad wrote fictious books about religious experiences and that were consistent with his faith. "He writes about his premonitions, he writes about good and evil, what it means to be good and what it means to be evil, he writes about dark and light. He writes about death and the coming of the end of things and when his savior in his mind is going to come back."

Prior said that in October of 2018 Lori came up to Chad at his booth at a seminar where he was selling his books and showed him a lot of attention. He said that Chad was pursued and encouraged by Lori.

He said that Chad's past was unremarkable, but that Lori's was a different story. He talked about how Lori married her first husband right out of high school and that the marriage was very short lived. Prior then said how Lorie's second marriage was short lived too.

He said that the main concern was Lori's brother Alex Cox. He said that Alex was Lori's protector who would do anything and everything to protect and help Lori without unbridled question. "If Alex Cox perceived there was a problem, Alex Cox reacted."

Prior then talked about Lori's 3rd marriage to Joseph Ryan. He said it was tumultuous and how Lori made allegations against Joe for abusing Tylee.

Prior then talked about Lori's 3rd marriage to Joseph Ryan which he said was tumultuous. He went on to talk about how in 2007 Alex approached Joe and shot him with a Taser. Prior said that there is documentation at the time Joe was worried about his life. He said that "It set the pattern for what we are dealing with Alex Cox." He said that whenever there was a problem with Lori Vallow, Alex Cox ran to the rescue with no questions.

He talked about how in 2019 Lori was still married to Charles when she started an inappropriate relationship with Chad. Then he talked about when Charles went to visit JJ with Tylee, Lori and Alex in attendance. He then stated that Alex shot Charles called 911 and then finished the job shooting him a close range. Prior said the jury they will see Chad Daybell had nothing to do with Charles' murder nor They attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux.

Prior said that Tammy and Chad were married for 21 years with no discernible problems in their life until Lori came into the picture. He said that Lori was very manipulative in sexual person, and she knew how to get what she wanted. He said that she lured Chad into a relationship. He said that "eventually yes, there was a murder and there was a burial."

Prior said that Chad's backyard was a 4.5-acre farm, and that JJ was buried by an irrigation pond and hidden behind a tree. He said that Tylee was also buried in the back pasture in the pet cemetery. He said that he planned to bring forward four experts including DNA expert Dr. Greg Hampikian. He said Hampikian got Amanda Knox exonerated in Italy because of DNA evidence. Prior said that Hampikian was going to talk about the DNA evidence that was found on the scene. That he was going to talk about the how the fingerprint found on the plastic that JJ was found in belonged to Alex as well as there was a hair sample that belonged to Lori. Prior said, "He's also going to say there was no DNA evidence, no hair sample of Chad Daybell on Tylee Ryan or on JJ Vallow."

Prior says the jury will also hear from Forensic pathologist Dr. Raven, who would talk about the circumstances surrounding Tammy and how she would say there was no way to determine cause of death. He said that some of Tammy's kids would testify about her health struggles as well as her various medicinal treatments she would use. They would also testify that she would refuse to see a doctor.

Prior said that the jury would hear from Data forensic examiner, Patrick Eller. That Eller would testify as well as present data information to support that Alex visited the Daybell property on September 9th multiple other times. 

Prior said that forensic anthropologist Dr. Eric Bartelink was also set to testify. Bartelink would talk about the nature of the way Tylee's remains were burned. 

Prior ended his opening statements with "I'm going to ask you folks to return a verdict of not guilty. Thank you, folks."

Darkmatter: Chad Daybell Trial: Prosecution's opening statements. (darkmatter69.blogspot.com)

Chad Daybell Trial: Prosecution's opening statements.

The trial Chad Daybell started today. He is charged with three counts of first-degree murder as well as three counts of conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of Tammy Daybell, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow along with Grand Theft and insurance fraud.

Rob Wood gave the opening statement for the prosecution. "Two dead children buried in the defendant Chad Daybell's backyard." Wood began.

He talked about how in September of 2018 Tylee and JJ have been buried in Chad's backyard followed by his wife Tammy found dead in their bed the following month. He said that just seventeen days later Chad was photographed laughing and dancing on a beach in Hawaii at his wedding to Lori Vallow, a woman who is his mistress and the mother of Tylee and JJ.

Wood said that Chad made sure no person and no law could stand in his way. Wood said that Chad's desire for sex money and power led him to pursue those ambitions and this pursuit led to the deaths of his wife Lori's two innocent children.

Wood talked about how Chad was an author who wrote books about the apocalypse. He said that Chad was a seemingly ordinary man who craves significance. He worked in journalism, and he worked as a sextant in a graveyard.

Wood said that Chad met Tammy in 1990 at Brigham Young University. They settled down in Utah and had five children. He said that Tammy was a full-time homemaker and her love for her family was boundless.

Wood talked about how Tammy and Chad had a small publishing company which Tammy supported in many ways. They moved to Idaho where Tammy became a beloved school librarian. She was devoted to service, her community and her faith.

Wood then started talking about Lori Vallow. He said she was a homemaker from Arizona.

She was married to her fourth husband Charles Vallow and was the mother the Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow.

He said that Tylee was a normal vibrant teenage girl who loved her friends her jeep Chipotle and her little brother JJ. And JJ was a 7-year-old boy on the autism spectrum who required extensive special care and loved his sister.

Wood: "You'll hear about a pivotal date Set in motion the deaths of Tammy, Tylee and JJ."

He said that date was October 26th, 2018, the day that Chad and Lori met at a religious conference in St. George, Utah. When they met, they were both still married to other spouses.

Wood talked about how even though Chad and Lori were married to other people they started an affair.

He said that Chad's own text messages would prove that in his thirst for sex, power and money, Chad created an alternate reality where they called themselves James and Elaina. Names that Chad claimed were from past lives. Wood said that the text messages between Chad and Lori would show their lust and plans love. That Chad said that he was happier with Lori than he had been in the last 50 years and how he was captivated by Lori's appearance and spoke about their sexual encounters on many occasions.

Wood said, "More than anything else Chad's obsession with Lori was rooted in her adoration for him." He said Chad called her and exalted goddess who came back to Earth for a special mission. Part of that mission was for them to be together and to get rid of obstacles. Wood said those obstacles were Tyee and JJ and Tammy. He said that any who opposed Chad and Lori were labeled as dark spirits or even zombies.

Wood said that the evidence would show this was a convenient narrative to dehumanize people who stood in their way. That this narrative gave them the pretext to remove people from this world for their good.

Wood talked about how Lori and Chad preached that only through spiritual intervention sometimes called casting, burning or even death that these dark spirits would be cleansed.

Then Wood talked about Lori's brother Alex Cox. He called Alex a devoted brother and said that Chad and Lori manipulated Alex through promises of spiritual rewards.

He said that after the deaths of Tylee JJ and Tammy, Chad gave Alex a blessing in which Chad told Alex that his earned the privilege to be in their religious group.

Wood said that there were text messages between Lorri and Chad talking about how Alex could implicate them. He also said that shortly before Alex died On December 12th, 2019, he had told his wife Zulema, who is set to testify, that he was afraid he was going to be a Chad and Lori's fall guy.

He then talked about how Lori's husband Charles was labeled dark by Chad and then was shot and killed by Alex in Arizona. He said that Lori stood to gain one million dollars or so she thought. She didn't know that the beneficiary of Charles is 1-million-dollar life insurance policy was no longer her she would find that out later. Wood said that when Lori found out that she wasn't the beneficiary she text Chad "I'll still get the $4,000 a month from SS," Chad text back, "It will be interesting to see if it got changed after he had two bullets in his chest."

Wood then talked about how Tylee who was last seen on September 8th, 2019, was also granted dark and a zombie and her charred and dismembered remains were found buried on Chad's property.

He said without the $1 million in benefits to support them Lori illegally cashed Tylee's monthly Social Security check which had been provided after the death of Tylee's father, who was Lori's third husband.

Wood said that according to Chad JJ was also possessed. After he was labeled a dark entity, his life tragically came to an end as well. Later his bound body was found buried in Chad's backyard too. JJ had been suffocated. While JJ was missing Lori continued to cash his Social Security benefits which was provided from Charles's death.

Wood described Tammy as a vivacious, happy mother who was another individual labeled as a dark spirit to be removed. He said that on October 9th, 2019, Tammy reported that she was shot at with what she thought was a paintball gun at night by a man wearing all black. Just ten days later, on October 19th, she died in her own home with Chad present and soon after he had increased the value of her life insurance to more than $400,000. He said that Chad hurried and cashed in Tammy's life insurance policy and then began looking at condos in Hawaii with Lori. He said that the court would see the rental application that he put in for a couple without kids. Wood said that medical examiners would come to the conclusion that Tammy's death was a homicide. Wood said, "You will hear from multiple witnesses that Chad predicted multiple times that Tammy would die an early death."

He said that 17 days after Tammy's death, Chad and Lori got married and celebrated on a beach in Hawaii. He talked about how Chad and Lori were preparing their wedding before Tammy died such as Lori had shopped for wedding rings.

Wood said that two things led law enforcement to Chad and Lori's door.

He said that on October 2nd, 2019, Lori's nephew in law Brandon Boudreaux was shot at in Arizona from someone in what he believed to be Tylee's Jeep. Law enforcement investigating the shooting in Arizona contacted law enforcement in Idaho to look for Alex and to look for Tylee's Jeep. The Jeep was later found in Idaho.

He said that meanwhile JJ's grandmother hadn't seen him in months and was concerned so she asked the police for help. The police found Lorie in Rexburg Idaho and did a welfare a check at her apartment on November 26th, 2019. Wood said that when the police asked Chad about Lorie, he first said that he didn't know her very well.

He said that lies by Lorrie to police about J J's whereabouts, then the move to Hawaii, and Lori's unwillingness to present her children to law enforcement to prove their well-being led to her arrest and extradition.

Wood said as Lorrie continued to fail to produce her children to law enforcement, law enforcement kept investigating the children's disappearances.

He then talked about the raccoon text that Chad had sent Tammy on September 9th, 2019, which was the day after the last known public appearance of Tylee. He said that the court would hear from the FBI agent that found a message that this text was longer than the messages that Chad usually sent Tammy. Woods said that in the text to Tammy Chad said that he had an unusual morning that he had shot a raccoon and buried it in what they call the pet cemetery and that he had a fire on the property where he burned some limbs.

Wood said that when law enforcement went to Chads property the following June, they didn't find a raccoon they found Tylee's burnt remains buried in the pet cemetery and they found JJ buried nearby under a tree by a pond.

Rob then stated a timeline of important events in the case.

• October 26, 2018- Chad and Lori meet in St George UT 
• July 11th, 2019- Lori's husband Charles was shot and killed by Lori's brother Alex Cox. 
• Between August 31st and September 1st, 2019- Lori, Alex, Tylee and JJ moved to Rexburg ID just a few miles south of Chad's home.
• September 8th, 2019- Tylee's last known sighting. 
• September 9th, 2019- The raccoon text Chad sent to Tammy.
• September 22nd, 2019- JJ's last known sighting.
• October 2nd, 2019- The attempted homicide of Brandon Boudreaux in Arizona.
• October 9th, 2019- Tammy was shot at.
• October 19th, 2019- Tammy's death.
• 17 days later- Chad and Lori married in Hawaii.
• November 26, 2019- Law enforcement did a welfare check looking for JJ in Rexburg Idaho.
• November 26th and 27th- Chad and Lori leave town.
• June 9th, 2020- Tylee and J J's remains were found on Chad's property.

Wood said that there would be many people testifying some experts and some people that knew Chad he also recited the charges.

Wood ended his opening statement with this line "Members of the jury...your verdict will be the ink that writes the final chapter of this tragic saga." 

Dylan Rounds Body Found

Dylan Rounds, a young man who went missing nearly two years ago, has been the focus of an extensive search. His skeletal remains were recently discovered in a remote area of northwestern Utah. Here are the key details:

Disappearance: Dylan Rounds was last seen on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Montello, Nevada, where he stopped at the Saddle-Sore Bar for a meal. Two days later, on Saturday, May 28, 2022, he spoke with his maternal grandmother on the phone.

Farm Owner: Dylan owned a farm in Lucin, Utah, which he purchased with his grandfather in 2019. He spent most nights living in his camper on the farm.

Suspect: James Brenner, who had been “squatting” near Dylan’s property, emerged as a suspect. Brenner had a criminal history and was found to possess firearms and black powder.

Charges: On March 3, 2023, James Brenner was charged with “criminal homicide,” “aggravated murder,” and “abuse or desecration of a human body” in connection with Dylan Rounds’ case.

Wrap Sheet: Chad Daybell