First-Degree Murder Charges Filed On Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell

BOISE, ID — Late Tuesday afternoon, Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell were formally charged by Fremont County with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, grand theft by deception, grand theft and insurance fraud.

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The charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and first degree murder charges stem from the death of Vallow's children, Tylee Ryan and Joshua Vallow. The two bodies were found on Daybell's property last year.

Daybell has also been charged in the death of his late wife, Tammy Daybell, with first-degree murder.

"Fremont Prosecutor Lindsey Blake and I believe all three homicides and the related financial crimes were committed as part of a continuing criminal scheme," Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood said in a statement. "The unprecedented cooperation among law enforcement has been a model of cooperation, diligence and commitment. Every person who has worked on this case is to be commended for their diligence and steadfast pursuit of justice for Tammy, Tylee and JJ."

The grand theft charges stem from Vallow failing to contact the Social Security Administration and continuing to collect Social Security benefits on both children for months after their deaths.

"Local, state and federal law enforcement professionals and local and state prosecutors have worked tirelessly for nearly a year and a half to gather the facts and evidence necessary to bring forward charges on behalf of Tylee, JJ and Tammy," Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey Blake said in a statement. "Due to the ongoing safety restrictions imposed by the courts during the pandemic, we just recently were given permission to present information to the Grand Jury for their review. They deliberated and determined there is probable cause to believe that the Daybells willfully and knowingly conspired to commit several crimes that led to the death of three innocent people."

Daybell is set to appear in court for his initial hearing on the new charges on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Vallow is set to appear shortly after at 11:30 a.m.

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