‘Doomsday’ triple-murder case: Chad Daybell sentenced to death for murder of wife and girlfriend’s 2 children

A jury in Idaho, United States, on Saturday (Jun 1) unanimously agreed that convicted killer Chad Daybell deserves the death penalty for the gruesome murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children. The sentence brings an end to the grim case which began as a search for two missing kids around five years ago.

What happened in the court?

The self-styled prophet, Daybell, who told the world that the apocalypse was coming and spoke about dark spirits, according to prosecutors lusted for sex, money and power.

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The 55-year-old convicted killer was seen in court wearing a dress shirt and tie and sat with his hands in his lap at the defence table, according to the Associated Press.

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He reportedly showed no emotion as he faced the death penalty for the murders of Tammy Daybell (his wife), Tylee Ryan (16), and 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow.

Daybell also did not make a statement when asked if he wanted to by the judge. The jury in the case found him guilty last week, after deliberating for just over a day.

“This has been a tough case because of its complexity, both in telling the story of an investigation that spanned years and trying to figure out the best way to present it in a way that would make sense to others,” Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey Blake said outside the Boise courthouse after the sentencing, as quoted by AP.

About the case

The case which gripped the US began in 2019 after a family member reported two missing children.

The mother of the children Lori Vallow Daybell was found guilty of the murders of her two youngest children and her new husband, Chad’s previous wife last year and is serving life in prison.

Vallow Daybell – who was Chad’s second wife – is also awaiting trial in Arizona where she has been charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, who was JJ’s father.

Lori and Chad deemed people either “light” or “dark” spirits and called those who had been taken over by evil spirits “zombies”.

Police records showed a friend told the authorities that Vallow Daybell called both children “zombies” prior to their disappearance.

The two children were last seen alive in September 2019 before the police discovered they were missing for a month after their extended family raised concerns.

Nearly a year later, the children’s remains were found buried on Chad Daybell’s property.

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The 16-year-old’s DNA was found on a pickaxe and shovel in a shed on the property, according to the prosecutors. Meanwhile, JJ’s body was wrapped in trash bags and duct tape.

Relatives of victims welcome decision

“This is the best justice we can possibly get. And again, it doesn’t change the outcome, but it is good news, and it brings closure for everybody that’s been hurt,” said Colby Ryan, Vallow Daybell’s oldest child.

Larry Woodcock, JJ’s grandfather, thanked the judge, law enforcement and the people who have been following the case and shared their support over the years. “We saw justice,” he added.

The jurors had to unanimously agree that Daybell met at least one of the “aggravating circumstances” that state law says qualifies someone for capital punishment to impose the death penalty.

Idaho law allows for execution by lethal injection or firing squad.

(With inputs from agencies)