Joshua “J.J.” Vallow, at left; mom Lori Vallow, center; and sister Tylee Ryan.Photo: Rexburg Police Department
Content warning: This story contains disturbing details.
On Tuesday, Rexburg, Idaho, police detective Ray Hermosillo testified at the murder trial ofLori Vallow Daybelland revealed chilling details about the day he found the remains of her two children,Joshua “J.J.” VallowandTylee Ryan.
“A few of us got on our hands and knees and began digging around this moist section of dirt,” he said, adding that investigators began to smell a decomposing body.
“We eventually uncovered bits and pieces of Tylee — whom we assumed it was Tylee — that had been burned. There were pieces of bone, charred flesh, just globs of flesh that were falling apart,” Hermosillo continued. (Tylee was last seen alive at age 16.)
Hermosillo said investigators found more globs of burnt flesh and bone in a green bucket. He added they were only able to work for a few minutes at a time because of the smell.
He said as they continued to dig they found a partial skull. The remains of 7-year-old J.J. were found wrapped in black bags underneath a tree in the backyard. Investigators had noticed the area because the grass was shorter than other areas on the property.
Lori Vallow (center).Lisa Cheney of Boise, Idaho
As investigators continued to dig, they found wood paneling, black plastic and what appeared to be “the crown of a head,” Hermosillo said. He added that after investigators cut through the plastic bag, they discovered what looked like human hair.
Chad Went Outside and Made Phone Call from Car
While on the phone, Chad was “intently looking over his right shoulder” and watching what was going on behind him, Hermosillo said.
Chad Daybell, Lori Vallow Daybell.Eric Grossarth/ EastIdahoNews.com
Sometime later, after the excavation had begun, Chad drove off “at a high rate of speed,” said Hermosillo.
Lori is on trial accused of the murders of her two children and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Chad’s first wife Tammy Daybell. Lori has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Chad, who is Lori’s fifth husband, is also charged, but will have a separate trial. He has also pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
“What was left of Tylee was found. Charred remains. A mass of bone and tissues. That was what was left of this beautiful young woman,” Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake said on Monday during opening statements. “Her DNA was discovered on a pickaxe and shovel and later found in Daybell’s shed.”
Chad Daybell, left, and Lori Vallow.Rexburg Police Department ; Madison County Sheriff’s Office/AP/Shutterstock
J.J. was last seen Sept. 23, 2019, and the last known image of Tylee was taken Sept. 8, 2019, while she was on a day trip to Yellowstone National Park with her mother, brother and Lori’s brother Alex Cox, according to a court filing.
On Dec. 12, 2019, Coxdied from a heart attackat age 51.
Lori has also been indicted in Arizona on one count of conspiracy to commit first degree murder in connection with the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, who was shot to death in 2019. Lori and Cox said the shooting was in self-defense, and Lori has pleaded not guilty.
In March, a judge ruled that Loriwill not face the death penaltyin her current murder trial. She faces life in prison if convicted.
Lori’s trial in Idaho is ongoing.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
