‘HE WAS STRANGE'
Chad Daybell ‘acted differently and had big bonfires’ before bodies of ‘cult mom Lori Vallow’s kids were found’
NEIGHBORS have recalled Chad Daybell's "strange behavior" months before remains were found buried on his property, believed to be 'cult mom' Lori Vallow's missing kids
Remains were unearthed at his ranch on Tuesday, leaving Rexburg residents reeling.
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Family members have said the remains are that of of and her adopted brother
Matthew Price, who lives across the street from Daybell, 51, said began acting odd after disappeared last September.
"He was strange, he was different," Price told , recalling Daybell's last visit to his home, accompanied by his late wife, Tammy Daybell.
"He didn't talk a lot, didn't make eye contact with us very much. Normally he would."
A week later, Tammy was dead.
Cops and her body was exhumed in December but the 49-year-old's autopsy results are still pending as of June 11.
On Tuesday, his horrified neighbor watched as detectives erected canopies, draped blue tarps on the ground and brought in heavy equipment to help dig as two sets of remains were unearthed at Daybell's Salem home.
Price recognized the spot they were digging: it was where Daybell started several bonfires in the months leading up to the grisly discovery.
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"We noticed they were having a few bonfires that were kind of out of the ordinary," he explained. "They had a big bonfire last fall, and they had two or three big bonfires this spring."
After and , Price said returned home and only ventured out at nighttime.
This week, the Daybell children were forced to leave the house while cops raided their dad's home looking for clues – later, he tried to drive off before being stopped by law enforcement, Price said.
Daybell was charged with two counts of concealing evidence, his next hearing has been set for July 1, and a judge set his bail at $1million on Wednesday.
with child abandonment, obstructing an investigation, contempt of court and soliciting a crime, pleaded not guilty, and is in jail also on a $1 million bond.
While is being held at Fremont County Jail, his parents have spoken out on behalf of his extended family.
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In a statement to , Jack and Shelia Daybell expressed their "love and condolences to the families of ."
"We especially want to convey our sorrow to [JJ's grandparents] and Colby Ryan [Vallow's eldest son] for the pain and suffering they have endured for many months and especially at this time," it read.
"We have hoped and prayed over the many months for the safety and well-being of JJ and Tylee and we are devastated by their passing.
"We are heart-broken that these beautiful children’s lives were ended tragically and prematurely and for the emptiness and pain it leaves in the lives of their loved ones."
The family also said they wished to pray for Daybell's first wife, "the sweetest and kindest person and a wonderful mother to her children."
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The Woodcock and Ryan families confirmed that were that of Tylee and her little brother JJ.
Local cops have since on Tuesday after searching the property back in January.
A Criminal Complaint filed in Fremont County on Wednesday details how Daybell allegedly tried to conceal two bodies between September 8, 2019 and June 9, 2020.
Family members have long suspected that Vallow and her fifth husband were – but they were reportedly ousted from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) last year.
Vallow had her children were staying with a family friend in when police conducted a welfare check at the family home in Rexburg on November 26.
Detectives later determined she lied and discovered that and Vallow bolted when police returned to question them.
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They never reported Tylee and JJ missing and have even lied about their whereabouts as they jetted off to Hawaii.
Vallow and Daybell have also been linked to a slew of mysterious deaths, including Tammy, Vallow's fourth husband Charles Vallow, and her brother, Alex Cox.
The Sun contacted both of their attorneys for comment on Thursday.
Grandpa cries as he visits spot where ‘cult mom's’ two kids were found dead
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