Relatives say remains found at Chad Daybell’s property were 2 missing children

Investigators said Tuesday they have recovered human remains tied to a search warrant served at Chad Daybell’s home in Idaho, several media outlets reported.

Here are the latest updates:

Update 4:57 p.m. EDT June 10: The relatives of Joshua “J.J.” Vallow, Tylee Ryan and Chad Daybell’s younger brother issued statements about Daybell’s arrest and the discovery of human remains on his property, East Idaho News reported.

According to the children’s relatives, the bodies found on the property were those of Vallow, 7, and Ryan, 17. Chad Daybell was arrested Tuesday and charged with two felony counts of concealment or destruction of evidence, according to a criminal complaint obtained by EastIdahoNews.com.

“The Woodcocks and the Ryans are confirming that the human remains found by law enforcement on Chad Daybell’s property are indeed our beloved JJ and Tylee,” Larry and Kay Woodcock, and Colby and Kelsee Ryan said in a joint statement. “We are filled with unfathomable sadness that these two bring stars were stolen from us and only hope that they died without pain or suffering. Once officially confirmed, statements from the Rexburg Police, the medical examiner and the FBI will be released. We ask that you respect our family’s privacy while we grieve – we have only just been told of the loss of our loved ones and need time to process.”

Tylee Ryan’s aunt, Annie Cushing, issued this statement thanking people for support.

“My family and I eagerly await the results of the identification of the remains and autopsies but have hope that there will be resolution and closure in the near future,” Cushing said.

Daybell’s brother and sister-in-law, Matt and Heather Daybell, also issued a statement, saying, “Our heartfelt love and prayers continue to go out to (the families of the children) at this very difficult time.”

“The events of the past nine months have weighed heavily on our family -- it has been one of the most difficult things we have ever had to go through,” Matt Daybell said. “Some in our extended family are still struggling to accept the reality that Chad could have been involved in something so terribly wrong.”

Earlier Wednesday, Fremont County Prosecutor Rob Wood confirmed that the human remains found on Chad Daybell’s property on Tuesday were in fact those of children, KTVB reported.

“This is an investigation into the deaths of children,” Wood said.

Update 1:30 p.m. EDT June 10: A preliminary hearing for Chad Daybell was set for July 1. Bail was set for $1 million, Judge Faron Eddins ruled.

Update 12:50 p.m. EDT June 10: Chad Daybell was officially charged with two felony counts of concealment or destruction of evidence, according to a criminal complaint obtained by EastIdahoNews.com Wednesday.

Daybell was arrested Tuesday after authorities excavated a section of his property in Salem, Idaho, and discovered human remains. Rexburg Police Assistant Chief Gary Hagen confirmed that two sets of remains were found at the Daybell home during their search.

A search warrant was served at Daybell’s property as police continued to seek the whereabouts of missing children Joshua “J.J.” Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 17, who have not been seen since September.

Authorities continued to investigate the property Wednesday.

According to the complaint, filed in the District Court of the Seventh Judicial District of Idaho, the first felony count in the criminal complaint alleges Daybell hid, altered, or destroyed human remains on his property between Sept. 8, 2019, and June 9, 2020. The second count said Daybell hid, altered, or destroyed human remains on his property between Sept. 22, 2019, and June 9, 2020.

Each count carries penalties of up to five years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines.

Update 2:37 a.m. EDT June 10: Rexburg Mayor Jerry Merrill spoke to KTVX on Tuesday about the news that unidentified human remains were recovered on Daybell’s property as police executed a search warrant in connection with the disappearance of missing children Joshua “J.J.” Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 17.

“Well, it is a sad day for Rexburg ... to find out the news about the kids. But on the other hand, it’s a good day in the sense that it is good to try to bring some closure to the family and to this story," he told the news outlet.

When a KTVX reporter asked him if that meant that the remains had been identified as the children, Merrill replied, “Oh.”

Police said earlier that they were awaiting autopsies on the remains and have not publicly confirmed that they belonged to the children, KTVX reported. Police have not responded to multiple requests for comment about Merrill’s remarks, according to the news station.

Daybell was taken into police custody Tuesday, and his first court hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. MDT Wednesday.

Read more here.

Original report: Rexburg Assistant Police Chief Gary Hagen said at a news conference Tuesday that the remains have not been identified yet, KMVT reported. The search warrant was served as police continue to seek the whereabouts of missing children Joshua “J.J.” Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 17, who have not been seen since September.

Lori Vallow, the mother of the two children, is married to Daybell.

Police confirmed to KTVB that the warrant was related to the disappearance of the two children.

“We are greatly appreciative for everyone’s immense concerns and your dedication to this case,” Hagen wrote in an email to the television station. “We will post any updates as we have them.”

Lori Vallow was arrested in Hawaii in February and charged with two felony counts of desertion and nonsupport of dependent children, as well as misdemeanors for resisting or obstructing officers, criminal solicitation to commit a crime, and contempt of court. She remains held in the Madison County Jail.

Daybell was not charged with a crime when his wife was arrested.

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Rexburg Police Department, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, converged at Daybell’s home at 7 a.m. Tuesday to serve the warrant, KTVB reported. Sandra Barker, the FBI’s Public Affairs Specialist for the Salt Lake office, confirmed that the FBI was assisting with the search warrant.

Daybell’s car was stopped about a mile from his home and he was taken into custody, East Idaho News reported.

Vallow’s previous husband, Charles Vallow, died July 11, 2019, after being shot by her brother, according to KSAZ-TV. The shooting was determined to be in self-defense and no charges were filed, The Arizona Republic reported. The couple was estranged at the time of Charles Vallow’s death, KSAZ reported.

Daybell and Vallow married shortly after Daybell’s wife, Tammy Daybell, was found dead on Oct. 19, 2019, according to KSTU. Investigators initially said Tammy Daybell died of natural causes, but they have since exhumed her body and called the death suspicious, the television station reported.

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