Chad Daybell trial live: Forensic pathologist says Tammy Daybell’s death should have been ‘undetermined’
Dr. Kathy Raven, an independent forensic pathologist, who testified for the defense in Chad Daybell’s triple murder trial, told the court this week that his former wife Tammy’s cause of death should have been classified as “undetermined” instead of homicide, which contradicts the official autopsy.
“Since we don’t know exactly what happened, we call it undetermined, and that’s what I would have called this,” Dr Raven said.
Tammy, an otherwise healthy 49-year-old died suddenly in her sleep on 19 October 2019 – just one month after Lori Vallow’s two children, Tylee Ryan, 16, and JJ Vallow, seven, disappeared. Two weeks after her death, Daybell and Vallow married on a beach in Hawaii.
It was only after the children were reported missing – and authorities began delving into the couple’s bizarre cult beliefs – that questions were asked about Tammy’s death and her body was exhumed for an autopsy.
Utah’s Office of the Medical Examiner determined her death to be asphyxia by homicide and Daybell, 55, who penned doomsday books, was charged with her murder. He is also accused of murder in the deaths of Vallow’s children, who were found buried in his backyard in June 2020.
Prosecutors say Daybell and Vallow justified the three killings by creating an apocalyptic belief system, which was part of an elaborate scheme to eliminate any obstacles from their life.
But Daybell’s attorney claims he was manipulated by Vallow, who was convicted of the murders last year and received three life sentences.
If convicted, Daybell faces the death penalty or life in prison.
Defense attorney arrives at court
Chad Daybell’s defense attorney John Prior is seen walking into court in Boise, Idaho on Wednesday morning.
The defense will continue its fight today.
Andrea Cavallier22 May 2024 16:00
Digital forensics examiner Patrick Eller on the stand
The defense has called Patrick Eller to the witness stand.
He is the CEO of Metadata Forensic and a digital forensics examiner.
Andrea Cavallier22 May 2024 15:45
ICYMI: Chad Daybell is accused of killing a mother of five. Her children took the stand in his defense
Two of Chad and Tammy Daybell’s adult children testified that their mother’s health had been deteriorating months leading up to her death.
It was in defense of their father who has been accused of murdering her.
Andrea Cavallier reports:
Andrea Cavallier22 May 2024 15:02
RECAP: Chad Daybell’s defense calls on his children to testify
Andrea Cavallier22 May 2024 03:00
WATCH: Tammy’s cause of death should be ‘undetermined’
Andrea Cavallier22 May 2024 00:00
Defense will continue with a new witness on Wednesday
Court has ended for the day.
The defense will continue with a new witness on Wednesday at 10:30am ET / 8:30am MT.
Today, the court heard from Dr Kathy Raven, who is board certified in anatomic, clinical, and forensic pathology and has worked in the area of forensic pathology for over 19 years.
The court also heard from Asmir Kararic, who is an investigator with the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, as well as retired Rexburg Police Detective Rick Schmitt.
Andrea Cavallier21 May 2024 22:30
Court resumes with new witness
Court is back after lunch.
The defense has called the next witness to the stand.
Asmir Kararic is an investigator with the Idaho Attorney General’s Office.
Andrea Cavallier21 May 2024 19:42
Court breaks for lunch
Court is on break for lunch until 12:30pm ET.
Defense is still expected to call two more witnesses today.
Andrea Cavallier21 May 2024 18:32
Defense appears to call Tammy Daybell’s death a ‘murder’
While questioning forensic pathologist Dr Kathy Raven, defense attorney John Prior called Tammy Daybell’s death a murder.
The defense has been arguing that Tammy’s death was a result of her history of illness, relying noting testimony from her children who say she was often sick.
At one point in the redirect, Prior asks Raven: “Is that an example of confirmation bias when you take into account all of these other reports and statements of people who are not present at the murder?”
Several spectators invested in the trial took to X, previously Twitter, to point out the snafu.
Dr Raven says she is board certified in anatomic, clinical, and forensic pathology and has worked in the area of forensic pathology for over 19 years. She said she would call Tammy’s death “undetermined.”
Andrea Cavallier21 May 2024 18:30
Defense has two more witnesses set to testify today
Defense attorney John Prior told the court he has two more witnesses who are set to testify today.
He did not name the witnesses.
Court is on break and will resume when the first witness arrives.
The second witness is set to take the stand after lunch.
Andrea Cavallier21 May 2024 18:03
