The tragic deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan shocked the nation in 2020 when their remains were discovered on Chad Daybell’s property in Rexburg, Idaho. JJ, 7, and Tylee, 16, had been missing since September 2019, sparking a widespread search and investigation.
According to testimony during Lori Vallow’s trial, JJ Vallow’s cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation by a plastic bag and duct tape. The coroner noted possible scratch marks on JJ’s neck, suggesting he may have struggled to remove the bag. Details surrounding Tylee Ryan’s cause of death were not explicitly stated in the available information.
The children’s mother, Lori Vallow, and her husband Chad Daybell were charged in connection with the deaths. The case garnered significant attention due to its bizarre circumstances, including allegations of cult-like religious beliefs and multiple suspicious deaths surrounding the couple.
Biographical Background
The tragic deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan involved a complex web of family relationships and beliefs. Key figures included the children’s mother Lori Vallow Daybell, her new husband Chad Daybell, and the children’s former stepfather Charles Vallow.
Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell
Lori Vallow married Charles Vallow in 2006. She later met Chad Daybell, a doomsday prepper and author of religious fiction books. The two bonded over shared apocalyptic beliefs.
Chad was married to Tammy Daybell. In October 2019, Tammy died unexpectedly. Her death was initially ruled natural but later deemed suspicious.
Lori and Chad married in November 2019, just weeks after Tammy’s death. Their quick union raised suspicions among family members and authorities.
Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow
Tylee Ryan was Lori’s daughter from a previous marriage, born in 2002. JJ Vallow was Charles Vallow’s grandson, adopted by Charles and Lori in 2013.
Tylee was last seen on September 8, 2019 at Yellowstone National Park. JJ was last seen on September 23, 2019 at his school in Idaho.
The children’s disappearance sparked a multi-state investigation. Their remains were discovered on Chad Daybell’s property in June 2020.
Family Dynamics and History
Charles Vallow filed for divorce from Lori in February 2019, expressing concerns about her mental state and religious beliefs. He was shot and killed by Lori’s brother Alex Cox in July 2019.
Lori claimed to be a “translated being” chosen for a religious mission. She allegedly believed her children had become “zombies” possessed by dark spirits.
The case involved a trail of suspicious deaths, including Charles Vallow, Tammy Daybell, and Alex Cox. These events highlighted the volatile family dynamics leading up to JJ and Tylee’s deaths.
Timeline of Events
The disappearance and deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan unfolded over several months, involving complex investigations and multiple arrests. Key events occurred across multiple states as authorities worked to uncover the truth.
Initial Disappearances
In September 2019, JJ Vallow (7) and Tylee Ryan (16) were last seen in Rexburg, Idaho. Tylee was spotted at Yellowstone National Park on September 8, while JJ was last seen at his school on September 23. Their mother, Lori Vallow, failed to report them missing and provided false information about their whereabouts.
Concerns grew when relatives requested welfare checks. Lori Vallow and her new husband, Chad Daybell, fled Idaho in November 2019. This prompted law enforcement to launch a multi-state search for the children.
Investigation Milestones
The FBI joined the investigation in December 2019, releasing photos from the Yellowstone trip and seeking public assistance. East Idaho News played a crucial role in keeping the case in the public eye.
In January 2020, authorities discovered Lori and Chad in Hawaii without the children. They issued Lori an ultimatum to produce JJ and Tylee, which she failed to meet.
A breakthrough came in June 2020 when investigators searched Chad Daybell’s property in Salem, Idaho. They discovered human remains, later identified as JJ and Tylee.
Arrest and Charges
Lori Vallow was arrested in Hawaii on February 20, 2020, for child desertion and obstruction. She was extradited to Idaho to face charges.
Chad Daybell was arrested on June 9, 2020, after the discovery of the children’s remains on his property. Both Lori and Chad were subsequently charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The case expanded to include investigations into the deaths of their former spouses. Prosecutors alleged that Lori and Chad’s apocalyptic religious beliefs played a role in the murders.
Discovery of Remains
The remains of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan were uncovered on Chad Daybell’s property in June 2020. Their discovery marked a grim turning point in the investigation, revealing the tragic fate of the missing children.
Search and Recovery Efforts
FBI Special Agent Steve Daniels led the search of Chad Daybell’s property. Investigators located JJ’s remains first, buried in a precise manner near the pet cemetery. The discovery of JJ prompted further searches, as Daniels noted, “Once we found JJ’s remains, we knew Tylee was around here somewhere.”
Law enforcement utilized specialized equipment and forensic techniques to locate and exhume the remains. The process was meticulous, ensuring preservation of crucial evidence. Forensic anthropologists were called in to assist with the recovery and analysis of the remains.
Location Evidence
JJ’s body was found wrapped in plastic and bound with duct tape in a shallow grave. The careful positioning of his remains stood out to investigators as unusually precise.
Tylee’s remains were discovered in a different location on the property. Her body had been dismembered and burned, complicating identification and analysis. The state of Tylee’s remains made determining an exact cause of death impossible.
Both burial sites yielded important forensic evidence. Soil samples, surrounding materials, and the condition of the remains provided critical information about the timeline and circumstances of the children’s deaths.
Medical and Forensic Analysis
Forensic pathologists conducted thorough examinations to determine the causes of death for JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan. Their findings revealed tragic details about the children’s final moments and provided crucial evidence for the investigation.
Autopsy Findings
Dr. Garth Warren, a forensic pathologist with the Ada County Coroner’s Office, performed the autopsy on JJ Vallow. He concluded that JJ’s cause of death was asphyxia. The examination revealed a white plastic bag wrapped multiple times around JJ’s face, with duct tape extending down to his neck. This discovery indicated a deliberate act to obstruct JJ’s breathing.
Tylee Ryan’s remains were found in a severely dismembered state, making it challenging to determine an exact cause of death. The forensic team faced significant obstacles in their examination due to the condition of Tylee’s body. Despite these difficulties, they were able to gather crucial information from the available evidence.
Forensic Pathology Insights
The medical examiners found no evidence of natural diseases contributing to either child’s death. This absence of underlying medical issues strengthened the conclusion that both deaths were homicides. For JJ, the presence of the plastic bag and duct tape pointed to intentional asphyxiation.
Tylee’s case presented unique challenges due to the state of her remains. While an exact cause of death could not be determined, the forensic team classified it as a homicide by unspecified means. The dismemberment of Tylee’s body suggested an attempt to conceal evidence, complicating the investigation but also providing valuable forensic clues.
Legal Proceedings
The legal proceedings surrounding the deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan involved multiple charges and a high-profile trial. Key evidence was presented to the jury as prosecutors sought justice for the murdered children.
Criminal Charges
Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell faced multiple criminal charges related to the deaths of JJ and Tylee. Prosecutors charged the couple with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Additional charges included grand theft and insurance fraud. The severity of the allegations led to significant public interest in the case.
Trial Developments
Lori Vallow’s trial began in April 2023 in Ada County, Idaho. The proceedings lasted several weeks as prosecutors presented their case against her. Jury selection was a critical phase, given the extensive media coverage. The trial featured emotional testimony from family members and law enforcement officials involved in the investigation.
Evidence Presented
Prosecutors introduced compelling evidence during the trial. This included:
- Autopsy reports detailing the children’s causes of death
- Phone records showing communication between Vallow and Daybell
- Financial documents related to insurance policies and theft allegations
- Testimony from witnesses who interacted with the couple before and after the children’s disappearance
Forensic evidence from the burial sites on Chad Daybell’s property played a crucial role. Expert witnesses explained the significance of physical evidence found with the children’s remains.
Context and Analysis
The deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan occurred within a complex web of psychological, societal, religious, and cultural factors. These elements played crucial roles in shaping the events leading to their tragic demises.
Psychological and Societal Factors
Lori Vallow Daybell’s behavior exhibited signs of extreme beliefs and paranoia. She allegedly viewed her children as “zombies” possessed by dark spirits. This delusional thinking likely stemmed from untreated mental health issues exacerbated by isolation from mainstream society.
The case also highlighted societal failures in child protection. Despite concerns raised by family members, authorities struggled to intervene effectively. This exposed gaps in the system’s ability to safeguard vulnerable children in complex family situations.
Media attention amplified the case’s impact. Public fascination with true crime stories created intense scrutiny, potentially influencing the investigation and legal proceedings.
Religious and Cultural Elements
Fringe religious beliefs played a central role in the tragedy. Lori and Chad Daybell adhered to apocalyptic doctrines outside mainstream Mormonism. They believed in concepts like light and dark spirits inhabiting bodies.
These beliefs merged with conspiracy theories, creating a dangerous worldview. The couple reportedly assigned “light” or “dark” ratings to individuals, including the children.
Cultural factors also contributed. The case unfolded in communities with strong religious traditions, potentially affecting how neighbors and authorities interpreted early warning signs.
The intersection of extreme religious interpretations and personal delusions created a lethal combination, ultimately leading to the children’s deaths.
Public Impact and Response
The deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan shocked the nation, sparking widespread media attention and community outrage. News coverage intensified as details emerged, while local residents grappled with the tragedy unfolding in their midst.
Media Coverage
East Idaho News played a crucial role in reporting on the case, providing regular updates and in-depth coverage. National media outlets soon picked up the story, bringing it to a wider audience. Television specials and documentaries explored the complex web of events leading to the children’s deaths.
Social media platforms became hotbeds of discussion and speculation. Facebook groups dedicated to the case grew rapidly, with members sharing theories and following court proceedings closely. Twitter hashtags related to JJ and Tylee trended during key moments of the investigation and trial.
Community Reaction
Ada County residents expressed shock and grief as the details of the case came to light. Vigils and memorial services were held to honor JJ and Tylee, drawing hundreds of attendees. Local schools implemented counseling services to help students process the tragedy.
Public opinion shifted dramatically as more information became available. Initial concern for the missing children turned to anger and calls for justice once their fate was revealed. Community members organized fundraisers to support organizations focused on child protection and abuse prevention.
Many residents reported feeling a sense of betrayal, as the case involved individuals who had been active in local religious communities. This led to broader discussions about trust and vigilance within tight-knit groups.