The Chad Daybell trial has been a focal point for true crime enthusiasts and legal observers alike, with new details emerging daily. This article delves into neighbor interviews and key testimonies, shedding light on the events surrounding the deaths of Tammy Daybell, Tylee Ryan, and JJ Vallow.
Hidden True Crime, spearheaded by Lauren Matthias, a former television reporter, and Dr. John Matthias, a forensic criminal psychologist, has been closely following the case since its inception. Their podcast, "Beyond the Veil," provides a psychological deep dive into the doomsday murders of Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow.
Key Testimonies
Dr. Erik Christensen
Dr. Erik Christensen, the Utah pathologist who conducted Tammy Daybell’s autopsy, testified that he could not definitively confirm whether Tammy had suffered any seizures before her death. He emphasized that extensive testing ruled out intoxicants as a cause of death and that a seizure was very unlikely.
Detective Bruce Mattingly
Detective Bruce Mattingly investigated Tammy’s health and FitBit data. He testified that Lori Vallow was in Hawaii at the time of Tammy’s death, with no evidence suggesting Lori was at the property that day.
Alice Gilbert
Alice Gilbert, a friend of Tammy’s since 2017, testified that she observed a change in Chad’s behavior in 2019. Alice learned about Tammy’s death from Tammy’s daughter, Emma, who called her in tears on the morning of October 19. According to Alice, Chad grabbed the phone and told her not to tell anybody and to wait an hour. When Alice went over to the house approximately 90 minutes later, she said all the children and their spouses were there except for Mark, and described the kids as “stunned” and hardly speaking.
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Alice also testified that Chad immediately said he was moving out and planned to move to Rexburg. A week after Tammy’s death, Chad told Alice that he “met the woman he was going to marry,” revealing he had met Lori at a conference in October. After Chad married Lori, they showed Alice wedding pictures. When Lori was arrested, Chad asked Alice and her husband to put their property up for bond.
Todd Gilbert
Todd Gilbert, also a neighbor, described Chad as “business-like” the day Tammy died and recalled Chad mentioning his vision. Todd also described Chad and Lori as being extremely affectionate when they met, and that Lori and Chad refused to give a straight answer about how many children she had.
Zulema Pastenes
Zulema Pastenes, a close friend of Lori Daybell before marrying her brother, Alex Cox, testified about the fringe religious beliefs she was taught by Chad and Lori Daybell. She explained the light and dark scale of rating people. Pastenes said Chad Daybell taught that a person's spirit would start at a "1" rating on the light and dark scale before coming to the world, and when they came to the world for the first time, they would have a "2" rating. Pastenes said she was told her "4.2 rating" meant she had come to the earth before and had been "exalted." Pastenes was told a casting caused Tammy Daybell's death.
Pastenes said Chad Daybell told them he had access to the "book of life" and could read about anyone's past, present or future. She said Chad Daybell taught that a person's spirit would start at a "1" rating on the light and dark scale before coming to the world, and when they came to the world for the first time, they would have a "2" rating. Pastenes said she was told her "4.2 rating" meant she had come to the earth before and had been "exalted."
She testified about going over to Lori Daybell's home the day after Cox shot and killed Charles Vallow. She was told that Lori Daybell and her husband had been arguing over his phone when Tylee brought a bat in, and Charles Vallow took the bat and hit Cox on the back of the head before Cox pulled out a gun and shot him.
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Pastenes said Cox "100% believed" what Chad Daybell was teaching. She said Cox told her, "Can you believe that they're being such jerks ... after I helped them? Now, they don't even want to talk to me." Pastenes testified that on Dec. 7, 2019, Cox felt fine in the morning but was sick by the evening. On Dec. 11, 2019, he received a call from Chad and Lori Daybell saying that Tammy Daybell's body was going to be exhumed from a Utah County cemetery.
Pastenes also testified that in August 2019, Chad Daybell told her JJ was going to die young and "that he was probably going to die soon and that he was going to come right back to Earth as Colby (Ryan)'s son." Before Lori Daybell moved with her children to Rexburg, she indicated to Pastenes that Tylee was possessed by a dark spirit.
Dr. Garth Warren
Dr. Garth Warren, a forensic pathologist with Ada County, testified that JJ's cause of death was asphyxia from having his mouth duct taped and a plastic bag over his head. He said the boy was wearing red pajamas, a disposable diaper and black socks, and his skin was decomposing.
Podcast Evidence
A portion of a podcast featuring Lori, Melanie Gibb, and Zulema Pastenes was played for the jury. On the podcast, Lori described herself as a normal person who grew up in the church and said that she grew up in Southern California and Utah before her life turned really bad.
'There is a lot to say': Lori Vallow's cousin talks about extreme religious beliefs
Additional Witnesses
- Reegen Price: A neighbor of Chad Daybell’s.
- Dr. Kathy Raven: Board certified in anatomic, clinical, and forensic pathology, reviewed the autopsy report.
- Asmir Kararic: An investigator with the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, interviewed Melanie Gibb.
- Rick Schmitt: Retired Rexburg Police Detective, assigned to search the fire pit and pet cemetery.
Key Points from the Trial
- Chad Daybell believed some people were "exalted" and did not need to repent of any wrongdoing.
- Lori Vallow often said, "It doesn't count for me."
- Chad Daybell would label people light and dark based on how much he believed a person had been taken over by evil.
- Pastenes participated in a casting for Tammy Daybell on Oct. 9, 2019, the same day Tammy Daybell was confronted by a man with a gun.
- Chad Daybell told Pastenes that JJ was going to die young and come back to Earth as Colby (Ryan)'s son.
Summary of Events
The trial continues to unfold, revealing a complex web of relationships, beliefs, and events leading up to the deaths of Tammy Daybell, Tylee Ryan, and JJ Vallow. The testimonies of neighbors and forensic experts provide crucial insights into the case, painting a detailed picture of the circumstances surrounding these tragic events.
Read also: Vallow-Daybell Trial: Key Evidence
The Chad Daybell trial has brought forth chilling details of religious extremism, manipulation, and murder. As the trial progresses, more evidence and testimonies are expected to surface, potentially revealing further insights into the minds and motives of those involved.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Alice Gilbert moved to the neighborhood and befriended Chad and Tammy Daybell. |
| 2019 | Chad’s behavior began to change. |
| August 2019 | Chad Daybell told Zulema Pastenes that JJ was going to die young. |
| October 2019 | Chad met Lori at a conference. |
| October 9, 2019 | Pastenes participated in a casting for Tammy Daybell. |
| October 19, 2019 | Tammy Daybell died. |
| November 2019 | Chad and Lori married in Hawaii. |
| December 7, 2019 | Alex Cox fell ill. |
| December 11, 2019 | Chad and Lori told Cox that Tammy Daybell's body would be exhumed. |
| December 12, 2019 | Alex Cox died. |
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