Tammy Daybell’s death in October 2019 initially appeared to be from natural causes. However, subsequent investigations and an autopsy revealed a much darker truth. Tammy Daybell died of asphyxiation, and her death was ruled a homicide.
The case gained widespread attention due to its connection to Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell. Chad, Tammy’s husband of 28 years, remarried Lori shortly after Tammy’s death. This quick remarriage raised suspicions and led authorities to reexamine the circumstances surrounding Tammy’s passing.
Fremont County coroner Brenda Dye changed Tammy’s cause of death after an autopsy uncovered bruises, pink foam, and healthy organs – findings inconsistent with a natural death. Prosecutors now allege that Lori Vallow Daybell conspired with Chad to kill Tammy. The ongoing trial continues to unravel the complex web of events surrounding this tragic case.
Tammy Daybell’s Profile
Tammy Daybell was a resident of Idaho, living in the city of Rexburg. She was married to Chad Daybell for 28 years until her unexpected death in October 2019.
Tammy worked as a school librarian and was known for her dedication to education. She and Chad raised five children together in their Rexburg home.
Initially, Tammy’s death was attributed to natural causes. However, subsequent investigations led authorities to exhume her body and conduct a more thorough autopsy.
The Utah medical examiner later determined that Tammy’s death was a homicide. Specifically, the cause was identified as asphyxiation.
Key details about Tammy Daybell:
- Residence: Rexburg, Idaho
- Occupation: School librarian
- Marriage: 28 years to Chad Daybell
- Date of death: October 2019
- Revised cause of death: Homicide by asphyxiation
Tammy’s death became a central focus in the complex legal case involving her husband Chad and his new wife, Lori Vallow Daybell. The circumstances surrounding her passing raised suspicions and led to further investigations.
Overview of the Case
The death of Tammy Daybell in October 2019 initially appeared to be from natural causes. She was the first wife of Chad Daybell, an author known for his apocalyptic fiction.
Chad Daybell reported that Tammy went to bed with a cough and didn’t wake up. Her death was initially ruled as natural, believed to be due to a cardiac event.
However, the case took a dramatic turn when Chad married Lori Vallow just weeks after Tammy’s death. This raised suspicions, leading to the exhumation of Tammy’s body in December 2019.
The autopsy results revealed a shocking truth: Tammy Daybell died of asphyxiation, not a heart attack as previously thought. This finding became a crucial element in the high-profile murder trial of Lori Vallow.
Prosecutors allege that Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow conspired to murder Tammy. The discovery of two dead children on Chad Daybell’s property further complicated the case.
The trial has garnered significant attention, with prosecutors presenting evidence of conspiracy and murder. The revelation of Tammy’s true cause of death has become a central focus in the ongoing legal proceedings.
Initial Cause of Death
Tammy Daybell’s death on October 19, 2019, was initially attributed to natural causes. The original death certificate listed a cardiac event as the primary cause.
Specifically, the coroner determined Tammy died from a cardiac event with pulmonary edema. This finding suggested her heart had suddenly stopped functioning properly, leading to fluid buildup in her lungs.
At the time, this explanation of sudden death from heart-related issues seemed plausible. Tammy was 49 years old and had no known major health problems.
The initial ruling of natural causes meant no foul play was suspected. As a result, no autopsy was performed immediately after Tammy’s passing.
This original cause of death determination allowed her husband Chad Daybell to quickly cremate her body. The swift cremation later raised questions as the case developed.
Discrepancies and Exhumation
Initial findings about Tammy Daybell’s death were questioned as new evidence emerged. This led to her body being exhumed for further investigation, revealing crucial information about her true cause of death.
Questioning of Initial Findings
Tammy Daybell’s death was initially ruled as natural, attributed to a cardiac event. However, suspicions arose as details surrounding the case came to light. The disappearance of two children connected to Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow raised concerns about the circumstances of Tammy’s passing.
Law enforcement and medical professionals began to scrutinize the original determination. The timing of Tammy’s death, just weeks before Chad Daybell’s marriage to Lori Vallow, added to the growing doubts about the initial findings.
Call for Exhumation
As discrepancies mounted, authorities made the decision to exhume Tammy Daybell’s body. The Fremont County Coroner’s office played a key role in this process. The exhumation allowed for a thorough autopsy to be performed.
The autopsy results revealed a startling truth: Tammy Daybell died of asphyxiation, not a heart attack as previously believed. This finding contradicted the original cause of death and prompted a change in the official record.
Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey A. Blake presented these results during the trial of Lori Vallow Daybell. The new evidence significantly impacted the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
Subsequent Investigations
The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office launched a thorough investigation into Tammy Daybell’s death following her exhumation in December 2019. Authorities sought to determine the true circumstances surrounding her passing.
Lindsey A. Blake, the special prosecutor assigned to the case, played a crucial role in overseeing the inquiry. The investigation uncovered new evidence that contradicted initial reports of natural causes.
Key findings from the autopsy included:
- Presence of bruises on Tammy’s body
- Pink foam in her airways
- Healthy organs inconsistent with natural death
These discoveries led Fremont County Coroner Brenda Dye to amend Tammy’s cause of death to homicide. The change marked a significant turning point in the case.
Investigators also explored connections between Tammy’s death and other suspicious events involving Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow. This broader examination revealed potential links to additional crimes.
As the investigation progressed, authorities gathered evidence to support conspiracy charges against Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow. The compiled information became central to the subsequent legal proceedings.
Autopsy Findings and Revelations
The autopsy of Tammy Daybell revealed crucial information that dramatically altered the understanding of her death. New evidence emerged that contradicted initial assumptions and led to significant changes in the investigation.
Reclassification of Death
Tammy Daybell’s death was initially believed to be from natural causes. However, the autopsy results prompted a reclassification to homicide. The Fremont County coroner, Brenda Dye, made this change based on the autopsy findings and additional evidence.
The discovery of two deceased children on Chad Daybell’s property also influenced the decision to reclassify Tammy’s death. This new information raised suspicions and led investigators to reexamine the circumstances surrounding her passing.
Evidence of Asphyxiation
The autopsy determined that Tammy Daybell died from asphyxiation, not a heart attack as previously thought. This finding was a pivotal moment in the investigation, providing crucial evidence for prosecutors.
Medical examiners found signs consistent with asphyxiation, including pulmonary edema and bruising. The presence of pink foam in the airways was another indicator of oxygen deprivation. These physical markers contradicted earlier assumptions about Tammy’s cause of death.
The asphyxiation finding became a central piece of evidence in the legal proceedings against Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell. It significantly altered the direction of the investigation and subsequent trial.
Legal Proceedings
The legal case surrounding Tammy Daybell’s death has unfolded through multiple stages. Prosecutors have pursued serious charges, while the trial has revealed key evidence and testimony.
Murder Charges
Chad Daybell faces first-degree murder charges for the death of his first wife, Tammy Daybell. Prosecutors allege he conspired with his second wife, Lori Vallow Daybell, to commit the murder. The charges were filed after an autopsy revealed Tammy Daybell died of asphyxiation, contradicting initial reports of natural causes.
Authorities exhumed Tammy’s body in December 2019 to conduct a more thorough examination. This led to the reclassification of her death as suspicious and ultimately to the murder charges against Chad Daybell.
Trial Developments
The trial has brought forth significant revelations about Tammy Daybell’s death. Prosecutors presented evidence challenging the original cause of death determination. Expert testimony from medical examiners and forensic specialists has been crucial in establishing the timeline and circumstances of Tammy’s death.
Defense attorneys have questioned the reliability of the new autopsy findings and challenged the prosecution’s theory of the case. The trial has also included testimony from family members, friends, and associates of Chad and Tammy Daybell.
Fremont County Prosecutor’s Role
Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey A. Blake has played a central role in the case against Chad Daybell. Blake presented the autopsy results during opening arguments, emphasizing the significance of the asphyxiation finding.
The prosecutor’s office has worked to build a case linking Chad Daybell to Tammy’s death, as well as to the deaths of Lori Vallow Daybell’s children. They have presented evidence of financial motives and alleged cult-like beliefs held by the defendants.
Blake’s team has sought the death penalty for Chad Daybell, underscoring the severity of the charges and the prosecution’s confidence in their case.
Financial Incentives and Suspicions
The death of Tammy Daybell raised questions about potential financial motives and fraudulent activities. Investigations uncovered life insurance policies and allegations of theft, casting doubt on the circumstances surrounding her passing.
Life Insurance Policies
Tammy Daybell had multiple life insurance policies at the time of her death. Chad Daybell, her husband, was the primary beneficiary. These policies totaled a significant sum, providing a substantial financial incentive.
The existence of these policies drew scrutiny from law enforcement. Investigators examined the timing of policy purchases and any recent changes to coverage amounts. They also looked into whether the policies were obtained under suspicious circumstances.
Allegations of Fraud
Accusations of fraud emerged during the investigation into Tammy Daybell’s death. Chad Daybell faced charges of insurance fraud related to the life insurance policies.
Prosecutors alleged that Chad Daybell made false statements to insurance companies. These claims included misrepresenting Tammy’s health condition and the circumstances of her death. The charges suggested a pattern of deception aimed at financial gain.
Investigators also examined other financial transactions linked to Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow. They looked for evidence of grand theft or misuse of funds connected to Tammy’s death or the insurance payouts.
Connection to Other Victims
Tammy Daybell’s death is linked to several other suspicious deaths and disappearances surrounding Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell.
Tylee Ryan, Lori’s 16-year-old daughter, and Joshua “JJ” Vallow, Lori’s 7-year-old adopted son, went missing in September 2019. Their remains were later found buried on Chad Daybell’s property.
Charles Vallow, Lori’s fourth husband, was shot and killed by Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, in July 2019. Cox claimed self-defense, but suspicions arose about the circumstances.
Alex Cox himself died in December 2019 of what was ruled to be natural causes, though the timing raised questions given the other deaths.
Brandon Boudreaux, the ex-husband of Lori’s niece, survived an attempted shooting in October 2019. He believed the attempt was connected to his knowledge of the children’s disappearance.
These interconnected events form a pattern of mysterious deaths and threats surrounding Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell in the months leading up to and following Tammy Daybell’s death.
Detailed Timeline of Events
March 9, 1990: Chad and Tammy Daybell marry in Manti, Utah. They settle in Springville, Utah and establish Spring Creek Book Company.
October 9, 2019: Tammy Daybell reports an attempted shooting at her home to authorities. She describes a masked man firing at her with a paintball gun.
October 19, 2019: Tammy Daybell is found dead in her Salem, Idaho home. Initially, her death is believed to be from natural causes.
October 22, 2019: Tammy Daybell’s funeral is held.
November 5, 2019: Chad Daybell marries Lori Vallow in Hawaii, just weeks after Tammy’s death.
December 11, 2019: Tammy Daybell’s body is exhumed for further investigation.
June 9, 2020: Authorities discover the remains of J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan on Chad Daybell’s property.
May 24, 2021: Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow are charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Tylee, J.J., and Tammy Daybell.
April 10, 2023: Lori Vallow’s trial begins. Prosecutors reveal that Tammy Daybell’s cause of death was asphyxiation, contradicting earlier beliefs of a heart attack.
This timeline highlights key events surrounding Tammy Daybell’s death and the subsequent investigation. It includes the 911 call regarding the attempted shooting, Tammy’s funeral, and the disappearance of J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan.
Forensic Pathology Insights
Forensic pathologists play a crucial role in determining cause of death in cases like Tammy Daybell’s. These medical experts examine bodies and analyze evidence to reach scientific conclusions.
In Tammy Daybell’s case, an autopsy was performed after her body was exhumed. The Utah Medical Examiner conducted a thorough examination of her vital organs and assessed signs of rigor mortis.
The autopsy report provides key details about the condition of the body and any abnormalities found. This information helps pathologists form expert opinions on cause and manner of death.
Medical certificates typically list an official cause of death. However, forensic pathologists may disagree on interpretations, as seen in the Daybell case.
Dr. Kathy Raven, a forensic pathologist who reviewed the autopsy findings, testified that Tammy Daybell’s cause of death should be classified as “undetermined.” This highlights the complexity of some cases.
Forensic pathology relies on scientific evidence and medical expertise. Pathologists examine multiple factors to reach conclusions, though interpretations can vary in challenging cases.
The Role of Technology in the Investigation
Technology played a crucial role in uncovering key evidence in the Tammy Daybell case. Investigators utilized various digital tools and devices to piece together the timeline of events leading up to her death.
One significant piece of technology was Tammy’s Fitbit. This wearable device provided valuable data on her heart rate and sleep patterns in the days before her passing. Analysts examined this information to detect any anomalies or sudden changes.
The Fitbit data revealed Tammy’s typical daily routines and physical activity levels. Investigators compared this baseline to her heart rate and movement patterns on the night of her death, looking for discrepancies that might indicate foul play.
Sleep data from the Fitbit also proved useful. It showed Tammy’s normal sleep habits and any disturbances in the nights leading up to the incident. This information helped create a more complete picture of her final days.
Investigators also leveraged satellite imagery to examine the Daybell property. These high-resolution images allowed them to track changes to the landscape over time and identify potential areas of interest for further investigation.
Digital forensics played a part in analyzing electronic devices belonging to the suspects. Experts extracted data from phones, computers, and tablets to uncover communications, search histories, and location information relevant to the case.
Public and Community Impact
The revelation of Tammy Daybell’s true cause of death sent shockwaves through Rexburg and Fremont County. Media outlets scrambled to cover the story, while local residents grappled with the disturbing implications.
Media Coverage
News of Tammy Daybell’s death by asphyxiation spread rapidly across local and national media. Outlets focused on the stark contrast between the initial heart attack ruling and the autopsy results revealing suffocation. Many reports highlighted the connection to the deaths of Lori Vallow’s children found on Chad Daybell’s property.
Journalists delved into the timeline of events, examining the delay in determining the actual cause of death. Some coverage explored the roles of key figures like the Fremont County Coroner and prosecutors. The story captivated audiences, with ongoing updates throughout Lori Vallow’s trial.
Community Reaction
Rexburg and Fremont County residents expressed shock and disbelief at the news. Many struggled to reconcile the image of Chad Daybell as a respected community member with the implications of his wife’s death.
Local social media groups buzzed with discussions and theories. Some residents reported feeling unsafe, with rumors of a masked gunman circulating. Others organized vigils and memorials for Tammy Daybell and the deceased children.
The case strained community trust, prompting calls for increased transparency from local law enforcement and officials. Some residents demanded answers about the initial misclassification of Tammy’s death and the subsequent investigation.