Remains of Lori Vallow's son JJ, 7, and his sister Tylee, 17, are found at her husband Chad Daybell's home as his bail is set at $1million for 'concealing and destroying the bodies' (17 Pics)
Family members have confirmed that remains found on the property of Lori Vallow's husband Chad Daybell were identified as her seven-year-old son, Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, and 17-year-old daughter, Tylee Ryan.
JJ's grandparents, Kay and Larry Woodcock, made the heartbreaking confirmation on Wednesday, hours after the remains were discovered buried in the backyard of the home in Salem, Idaho, the day before.
The announcement came as Chad appeared in court to face two felony charges for destruction or concealment of evidence on Wednesday. His bail was set at $1million.
According to a charging document, Chad 'willfully' concealed or helped another person conceal the bodies, knowing that they were about to be submitted as evidence in a criminal investigation.
Each of the counts corresponds with the date that either child was last seen. The first count ranges from September 8, 2019 - the day Tylee disappeared - to June 9, 2020. The second count ranges from September 22, 2019 - the day before JJ disappeared - to June 9, 2020.
Lori has spent the past four months behind bars on charges of abandonment and desertion in connection with the children's disappearance. It is unclear whether prosecutors are preparing to file additional charges against her following the recovery of the bodies.
Idaho law enforcement officials and FBI agents leading the investigation have faced criticism over how long it's taken to discover what happened to the children in the seven months since they were first reported missing.
That criticism was heightened with the revelation that the kids were buried in such an obvious location, which had been previously searched in January.
Family members have confirmed that remains found on the property of Lori Vallow's husband Chad Daybell were identified as her seven-year-old son, Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, and 17-year-old daughter, Tylee Ryan
Chad Daybell and his attorney John Prior are seen during a video court appearance on Wednesday
Authorities confirmed that two sets of human remains were found on the property of Lori Vallow's husband Chad Daybell
Chad, 51, is facing two felony charges in the disappearance of his wife Lori's children. Lori is currently behind bars on charges of neglect and desertion related to her children's disappearance
Chad made the court appearance via a Zoom call from the Fremont County Jail.
He was joined by his attorney John Prior while Judge Farren Eddins and Prosecutor Rob Wood called in from their respective offices.
Dressed in a gray striped jail jumpsuit, Chad acknowledged the charges against him in a quiet, low voice.
Prior requested to have bail set at $100,000, arguing that his client had no intention of leaving town.
But Judge Eddins ultimately set it much higher at $1million, given the seriousness of the case and the fact that Chad previously fled from Idaho after police first began asking questions about the children back in November.
JJ's grandparents, Kay and Larry Woodcock, issued the statement above on Wednesday
Chad would have to post 10 percent of that bail - or $100,000 - to be released. Should he manage to do that he will be required to wear an ankle monitor, will be forced to remain within a boundary of four nearby counties, and cannot have contact with the victims' families.
Lori and Chad - the prolific Doomsday author, alleged cut leader and former grave digger whom she married less than two months after her kids vanished - had repeatedly refused to say where the children were but insisted that they were safe.
The last known sighting of 17-year-old Tylee was on September 8, when she visited Yellowstone National Park with her family. JJ, who would have turned eight last month, was last seen two weeks later on September 23.
While some relatives believed that Lori would never hurt her kids, others have long feared that they could be dead.
In a statement after the remains were identified, JJ and Tylee's families wrote: 'The Woodcock's and The Ryan's are confirming that the human remains found by Law enforcement on Chad Daybell's property are indeed our beloved JJ and Tylee.
'We are filled with unfathomable sadness that these two bright stars were stolen from us, and only hope that they died without pain or suffering.'
The families added that police will be issuing a statement with an official confirmation soon.
The charging document above explains the two counts levied against Chad
Chad made the Wednesday court appearance via a Zoom call from the Fremont County Jail. He was joined by his attorney John Prior while Judge Farren Eddins and Prosecutor Rob Wood called in from their respective offices
Chad was taken into custody near his home just before noon on Tuesday as news of the recovered remains emerged
Fremont County Sheriff's deputies, Rexburg Police officers and FBI agents arrived at Chad's home on 200 block of 1900 East at about 7am Tuesday with a search warrant that had been issued four days earlier on June 5.
Video showed investigators using a backhoe to dig up dirt near a barn in the yard. It appeared that they knew exactly where in the yard to locate the remains, thanks to help from cadaver dogs.
FBI spokeswoman Sandra Barker confirmed that the agency's Evidence Response Team is assisting local authorities with the execution of the warrant.
Police told media outlets on the scene that they planned to be there for several hours or days.
This is the second major raid performed at the Daybell home since police began searching for the children in late November.
During the previous raid on January 3, authorities removed 43 items from the home and combed over several sections of the yard with metal detectors and rakes. They did not appear to use cadaver dogs during the first search.
Lori and Chad are also being investigated for conspiracy, attempted murder and murder in the death of Chad's first wife Tammy Daybell, who mysteriously died at the Salem home in October.
It is not yet clear whether JJ and Tylee were buried in the yard before or after Tammy's death.
In this aerial photo, investigators search what appears to be a burn pit and dig near a patch of recently disturbed earth
Law enforcement vehicles are seen lined up on the street outside Chad's property on Tuesday. His home is seen to the far right of the image, and the red structure near to where law enforcement are stood appears to be a barn
Authorities began searching for the children in late November after performing a welfare check ordered by concerned relatives who said they hadn't spoken to seven-year-old JJ, who is autistic, in months.
When officers first went to Lori's home in Idaho on November 26, she told them that JJ was visiting relatives in Arizona - which investigators say was a lie.
Officers returned the following day and found that Lori and the man she married weeks earlier, Chad Daybell, had fled from the home.
Authorities say the couple have repeatedly lied about where JJ and Tylee are and refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Lori and Chad were named persons of interest in the children's disappearance after investigators said they believe the mother knew where her children were or what happened to them.
The case captured nationwide attention with the revelations that police are also investigating three mysterious deaths linked to Lori and Chad, as well as family members' claims that the couple are members of a dangerous doomsday cult.
The first death is that of Lori's estranged husband Charles Vallow, who was shot dead by her brother Alex Cox in Arizona on July 10.
Charles and Lori had gotten into an argument when the father came to pick up JJ at the mother's home in Chandler.
Lori's brother intervened and fatally shot Charles.
Police initially determined that he acted in self defense - but the case was reopened amid the multi-state search for JJ and Tylee, who had moved to Idaho, where Chad lived, with their mother in August.
The second mysterious death was Tammy Daybell, who was found dead at the home she shared with Chad on October 19.
An obituary stated that Tammy passed away in her sleep and her cause of death was ruled as natural after Chad reportedly declined an autopsy.
Investigators reopened the case after learning that JJ and Tylee were missing, as their mother had married Chad just two weeks after Tammy died.
They believe the two cases could be linked.
Tammy's body was exhumed on December 11 and the autopsy results have not yet been released.
On December 12, Lori's brother, Alex Cox, was found dead in Gilbert, Arizona.
An autopsy determined that the 51-year-old's died of natural causes but noted that he had the overdose drug Narcan in his system at the time.
Police tracked Lori and Chad down in Princeville, Hawaii, in late January and served the mother with a court order requiring her to physically produce the children to authorities in Idaho by January 30.
Lori failed to meet the deadline, prompting her arrest and extradition to Idaho, where she is currently being held at Madison County Jail in lieu of $1million bond.
In addition to the Wednesday remarks from Kay Woodcock, two other family member statements came out after news broke that the bodies found on Tuesday had been identified as JJ and Tylee.
Tylee's aunt, Annie Cushing, wrote: 'Thank you for the overwhelming outpouring of love for Tylee and JJ throughout this crisis. My family and I eagerly await the results of the identification of the remains and autopsies but have hope that there will be resolution and closure in the near future.
'As sad and taxing as this protracted investigation has been, I've been deeply touched by the heartfelt expressions of grief, kindness, and support throughout this process.
'Tylee and JJ won the hearts of people all across the globe. I’ve seen and have been impacted by both the worst and best of humanity. Hopefully, goodness and justice will win out in the end.'
Chad's own brother Matt Daybell and his wife Heather wrote: 'The events of the past nine months have weighed heavily on our family – it has been one of the most difficult things we have ever had to go through. Some in our extended family are still struggling to accept the reality that Chad could have been involved in something so terribly wrong.
'On behalf of myself, my wife Heather, and our four children, we express our most sincere sympathies to Larry and Kay and to JJ and Tylee’s entire extended families. We are devastated by today’s news and the apparent role that Chad has played in what has transpired.
'Heather and I have communicated many times in person and by phone with Larry and Kay over the past several months – they have been examples of courage, strength and kindness to us throughout this difficult trial that they have been forced to endure. Throughout this ordeal, we have supported one another in pursuit of the truth, and will continue to do so. They have been praying for our family, as we have prayed for them. Our heartfelt love and prayers continue to go out to them and their family at this very difficult time.
'We also continue to pray for Tammy and Chad's adult children and their spouses. Because of the difficulty of this situation, our relationship with them has been significantly strained. As a result, we have had no contact with them or Chad for the last many months – we do not know where his children stand at this time. As such, we ask for patience and compassion for them and for all of our extended family as we cope with the horrific events that have come to light.'
Chad married Lori less than two months after her children vanished. The couple are seen during their wedding on the beach in Kauai
Tylee was last seen on September 8 when she visited Yellowstone National Park with her family (pictured). JJ was last seen two weeks later on September 23
Chad's wife Tammy Daybell (pictured together) was found dead under suspicious circumstances at their home in Idaho in October
Lori's fourth husband Charles Vallow (pictured together) was shot dead by her brother, Alex Cox, in July 201
Timeline of JJ and Tylee's disappearance
Remains of Lori Vallow's son JJ, 7, and his sister Tylee, 17, are found at her husband Chad Daybell's home as his bail is set at $1million for 'concealing and destroying the bodies' (17 Pics)
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June 11, 2020
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