Demolishing the former house of Chad Daybell where the remains of Tylee Ryan and “JJ” Vallow were recovered

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) -- Update. 11:09 p.m. – The organization SJ Healing Crossroads started a gofundme for the development of this property. They say in the gofundme "We recently acquired the property formerly owned by Chad Daybell in Rexburg, Idaho. Mr. Daybell is currently on death row for his involvement in the tragic deaths of his first wife and his current wife's 2 young children. With the generous donations we receive, we plan to remove the house and outbuildings. Our aim is to transform this site from one marked by sorrow and tragedy into a place of peace, healing and hope for the community."

SJ Healing Crossroads has raised $1,035 of their $200,000 goal.

(Update. 8:10 p.m.) - One of the people that was the most profoundly affected by this demolition is Rexburg Detective Chuck Kunsaitis.

Linda Larsen spoke with Detective Kunsaitis and asked, “We have talked to you several times. We heard your very emotional testimony in court. This has been something that you have been living with for the past five years. What does today feel like to you?”

“Boy, that's a mixed emotions. You know, the physical scars are gone, but the mental still there. you know, this is kind of a culmination of events of just numerous investigators. Their dedication. You know, I'm so proud to work alongside of them and that we were able to put ourselves in the position that we are right now and standing here on this property today,” said Kunsaitis.

Do you feel like this is going to be finally a way that the community can start healing now? Asked Larsen.

“I like to think so. I'd like to think so. I'm glad that that personally, I'm glad that the house is gone. you know, it just kind of turns into, you know, people just looky loos. Look, come over and and sit and, you know, want to see what's going on and who was here, what kind of activity is going on?” said Kunsaitis. “I'm kind of glad that that's not going to happen anymore. So I think with this being gone, it's a it's a great start to to the healing process, this community because I'm sure that, this property over the years it's been here sure has been a lot of great memories. And I sure hate for just to be remembered for what happened here.”

And you were here when they were actually finding the bodies of the children. This this ground has some very, very emotional tie backs to you and to what you're feeling to come back. And you and you and I talked about the tree, out there where where they had. Where you found JJ's body out by the tree. That tree now. Now removed. What is it like to look back on those emotions? Larsen asked.

“You know, it's September is there's a lot of, anniversary events from this case. September 8th, Tylee goes missing. We believe she was killed over that eighth and ninth. And they had JJ here in a couple of days on the 23rd, where his life was needlessly taken. So those are it's kind of that time, you know, even five years later, you know, it's still too it's very raw with us. And to look over there and and see that she tree gone, you know, it's, it's hard to put into words, but, you know, I just I don't know, I don't know what to say on that,” Kunsaitis responded emotionally.

Such an emotional day for many, and Linda also spoke with Larry Woodcock, JJ’s Grandfather. He called me to tell me how he was feeling. He was, as you can imagine, extremely emotional. He was crying when he was talking about the fact that JJ's tree had been taken out. He is so glad that this place is gone.

(10:49 a.m.) – September 20th marks the day that Chad Daybell's former home gets demolished.

This is the property where the remains of Tylee Ryan and "JJ" Vallow were recovered.

On August 9th the property was sold to an anonymous donor that you can read about here: https://localnews8.com/news/vallow-daybell-coverage/2024/08/09/non-profit-group-crossroad-park-buys-chad-daybell-property/

The donor plans to give it to a new non-profit group called Crossroad Park which wants to turn the land into a community space to honor the victims.

Local News 8 will be providing updates and live coverage of the demolition.