Autopsy results reveal Tammy Daybell died of asphyxiation

BOISE, Idaho — Prosecutors in the Lori Vallow Daybell trial revealed the long-awaited results of an autopsy performed on Tammy Daybell. Her cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation and not a heart attack, as previously believed.

Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey A. Blake explained the results of the autopsy in opening arguments of the trial Monday morning.

Tammy was married to Chad Daybell for 28 years before she reportedly died in her sleep. Her death was later considered suspicious and her remains were exhumed on Dec. 11, 2019. An autopsy was performed the same day, less than two months after her death.

The results of that autopsy had never been shared with the public, being cited as part of the investigation up to this point.

Her husband was later charged with her murder, and he has pleaded not guilty to those charges. Vallow Daybell is accused of conspiring to murder Tammy Daybell; she has also pleaded not guilty to that charge.

Opening arguments in Lori Vallow Daybell trial

Blake explained that in October 2019, Tammy came face to face with a masked man pointing a gun at her.

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MORE on Monday’s opening arguments in the trial