Lori Vallow trial hears how Chad Daybell’s first wife Tammy was killed
The cause of death of Chad Daybell’s first wife Tammy Daybell has finally been revealed as Lori Vallow’s high-profile murder trial got under way in Idaho.
In opening statements in Ada County Courthouse on Monday morning, Fremont County prosecutor Lindsey Blake told jurors that Tammy, 49, died by asphyxiation – and not peacefully in her sleep as was originally claimed.
Tammy died “at the hands of another and died of asphyxiation,” she said, citing the Utah medical examiner.
Tammy, an otherwise healthy 49-year-old, died suddenly in her sleep on 19 October 2019 – just one month after Ms Vallow’s two children JJ and Tylee disappeared.
Despite the mysterious circumstances, her husband declined an autopsy and her death was ruled natural causes.
Less than a month later, Mr Daybell and Ms Vallow married on a beach in Hawaii.
It was only after the two children were reported missing – and authorities began delving into Ms Vallow and Mr Daybell and their bizarre cult beliefs – that questions began being asked about Tammy’s death too.
In December 2019, investigators exhumed her body and carried out an autopsy.
Mr Daybell and Ms Vallow were charged with her murder but, until now, officials have remained tightlipped about how Tammy died.
