READ: Statements from Fremont and Madison County prosecutors following Chad Daybell's conviction

BOISE — Following Chad Daybell's sentencing Saturday, Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey Blake and Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood spoke to the media about the case. Here are the statements they read before answering the questions.

Fremont County District Attorney Lindsey Blake

Nearly five years ago, the communities of Fremont and Madison County lost three wonderful human beings: Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell. As the prosecutor in this case, it has been an uphill battle, both for the prosecution team and for law enforcement who worked tirelessly on this case and never gave up hope.

This is a difficult case because of its complexity: both in telling the story of an investigation that lasted years and in trying to find the best way to present it in a way that should have meaning to others. As a prosecutor, I try many criminal cases. But for me, as a new mom, the details of it are just different, and I can't begin to imagine the families' pain.

I cannot express enough my deep appreciation, gratitude and admiration – and that of Fremont County – for everyone who played a role in the search – and ultimately obtaining justice for the victims in this case. This case was about speaking out and seeking justice for the lives of three wonderful humans whose lives were cut too short because of the selfish desires of the defendant and his co-defendant Lori Vallow.

We are satisfied with the outcome and that justice has been served for the victims in this case. This is a collective effort of multiple agencies working collaboratively to bring this matter to a successful conclusion for the victims and their families. Many people were involved and helped behind the scenes, and each of them contributed to achieving justice.

When I took office in 2021, after discussing the case with others in Fremont County and working with the Fremont County Sheriff's Office, it was decided to bring the case back into the Fremont County because we felt strongly about the case of JJ Vallow, Tylee. Ryan and Tammy Daybell should be combined and tried together.

The Fremont County Sheriff's Office was instrumental in the decision and supported the prosecutor's office in this difficult decision. I also cannot express enough Fremont County’s gratitude to Rob Wood and the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office. They started this case by looking for the whereabouts of JJ and Tylee. Then, when the children's remains were discovered, Rob Wood stepped in without hesitation when asked by my predecessor to take on the case as a special prosecutor, and ultimately agreed to combine his resources to bring justice to the children. victims.

A special thank you to Fremont County Assistant Prosecutors Rocky Wixom and Tawnya Rawlings for their dedication and efforts in this case and that of Lori Vallow. The Attorney General's Office first took over the prosecution of Tammy's murder, then agreed to allow us to have Deputy Attorney General Ingrid Batey join the prosecution team. The FBI intervened without hesitation in the disappearance of the children, using its extensive experience and resources, and continued to bring this case to a successful conclusion. The Rexburg Police Department for opening an investigation into the whereabouts of Tylee and JJ and then never giving up the search. The Fremont County Sheriff's Office for their tenacity in continuing the investigation into Tammy's death. Arizona law enforcement for sharing everything they discovered and for their willingness to come and testify in the cases here in Idaho. This became a joint investigation, a joint effort to find the children, and then ultimately to seek justice on their behalf.

I was absolutely amazed and stunned by the level of investigation, the professionalism of the officers involved and the camaraderie that was formed. I tell them all the time that they make my job easier.

We support Arizona in its continued pursuit of justice for additional victims Charles Vallow and Brandon Boudreaux. We also express our immense gratitude to the jurors in this case – who did not enter into this difficult process – but agreed to fulfill their civic duty, and in rendering this verdict, we hope that the victims and survivors of Chad Daybell know that the community as a whole does not tolerate the loss of three precious and irreplaceable human beings. We hope that those involved and affected by this case, as well as the actions of the defendant and his co-conspirators, can now begin to heal.

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Rob Wood, Madison County Prosecutor

Four and a half years ago, Detective Ray Hermisillo walked into our office to obtain a warrant for what began as a simple search for a Jeep to aid an investigation in Chandler, Arizona. This quickly turned into a search for two young children Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow.

This investigation merged with the investigation into the death of Tammy Daybell. Very quickly, multiple law enforcement agencies and prosecutors' offices began working diligently together to find these missing children and determine what happened to Tammy Daybell.

Realizing the children's final residence was in Madison County, we initiated a child protection action to bring the children to safety. When it became clear that Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell had no interest in helping us locate Tylee and JJ, we took further action by filing charges against Lori and extradited her from Hawaii when she did not had failed to produce his children.

The search for Tylee and JJ was relentless. Every stone has not been turned over thanks to the diligent efforts of teams from the Rexburg Police Department, the Fremont County Sheriff's Office, Idaho Attorney General investigators, the FBI and the Chandler and Chandler Police Departments. Gilbert, Arizona. The willingness of so many law enforcement agencies to work together and pool their resources to achieve justice for these victims is unprecedented. The dedicated professionals of these agencies worked together with the sole goal of justice in mind.

From the Madison County Prosecutor's Office, we are very grateful for the working relationship and partnership we have had with Lindsey Blake and everyone at the Fremont County Prosecutor's Office to achieve justice, both in this trial and in the one against Lori Vallow. Lindsey Blake's dedication to each of the victims in this case has been unwavering. Her willingness to tackle this matter when she took office, when she did not have to, was courageous. It was an honor to work with her.

I would also like to thank Madison County Deputy Prosecutors Spencer Rammel and McKinzie Cole, as well as Special Prosecutor Rachel Smith for their work as essential members of the prosecution team.

Today, justice was served for Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell – three innocent victims whose lives were tragically cut short by the selfish and cruel actions of Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell who set out on a path of destruction that irrevocably altered their lives. countless families and individuals. Although nothing can undo the immense harm caused, we have worked tirelessly to achieve some measure of justice.

This week, a diligent and attentive Ada County jury carefully considered the evidence presented, returned a guilty verdict on all counts and sentenced him to death. Lori Vallow Daybell had already been convicted on all counts in this same courthouse and sentenced to life without parole. She is now awaiting trial in Arizona for the murder of Charles Vallow and the attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux in 2019.

Achieving justice in this case took the unwavering dedication of a large team of public officials who dedicated the last four years to ensuring we had the evidence necessary to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We express our deepest gratitude to all of the committed law enforcement professionals in these agencies who have made enormous personal sacrifices in the face of an emotionally and physically difficult case. We are indebted to them for their service.

We also wish to salute the incredible strength and resilience of the victims and their family members who, despite unimaginable grief, have supported us over the past four years in our quest for the truth. Your support has been invaluable.

To everyone who held Tylee, JJ, and Tammy in their hearts, we hope these verdicts provide a measure of healing and closure. May the memory of Tylee, JJ and Tammy continue to be a blessing to all who knew and loved them.

THANKS.