The brother of two missing children has pleaded for their mother to ‘do the right thing’ and return home.
Lori Vallow, who is believed to be a member of a doomsday cult, is currently on the run from police with her new husband Chad Daybell, both of whom are persons of interest in the disappearance of her children – Joshua ‘JJ’ Vallow, seven, and Tylee Ryan, 17 – as well as the deaths of both of their previous spouses.
Lori’s other son, Colby Ryan, delivered a message to his mother on Sunday in a seven-minute YouTube video, urging her to come out of hiding.
‘It’s time to do the right thing,’ he said through tears. ‘I just ask you to please just listen to what I have to say.
‘I can’t tell you how hurt and frustrated and confused I am about what’s going on.
‘I can’t even fathom that this is happening to our family. I really, really want to see Tylee and JJ. I really want this to be over.’
The FBI conducted a search of the Daybells’ home in Salem, Idaho, last week to search for evidence linked to the children’s disappearance and the October death of Chad’s previous wife Tammy.
Authorities confirmed on Monday that they had seized cellphones, laptops, journals and medications from the home. Those items have been submitted for forensic tests.
Colby Ryan recorded a YouTube video in which he begged his fugitive mother Lori Vallow to come home and cooperate with investigators searching for her other two children
Lori is currently on the run from police with her new husband Chad Daybell, both of whom are persons of interest in the disappearance of her children. The pair are believed to be members of a dangerous religious cult obsessed with the end of times
Tylee Ryan, 17, (left) and Joshua ‘JJ’ Vallow, seven, (right) have not been seen or heard from since September. Police in Rexburg, Idaho, only realized they were missing two days before Thanksgiving when they were asked to conduct a welfare check by relatives
The FBI conducted a search of the Daybells’ home in Salem, Idaho, last week to search for evidence linked to the children’s disappearance and the October death of Chad’s previous wife
Authorities confirmed on Monday that they had seized cellphones, laptops, journals and medications from the home
The search for Tylee and JJ, who have not been seen since September, began in November when police tried to do a welfare check ordered by concerned relatives.
Idaho authorities say Chad and Lori have repeatedly lied about where their children are – initially saying the boy was in Arizona – and aren’t cooperating with the investigation.
The couple had disappeared from their home when police returned with additional questions and search warrants.
No charges have been filed against Chad or Lori in Idaho or Arizona but they are considered persons of interest in the children’s disappearance.
The couple have also been linked to three deaths over the past six months.
Lori’s estranged husband Charles Vallow was shot dead by her brother, Alex Cox, after they got in an argument in July. Authorities initially determined that Cox acted in self-defense but reopened the investigation last month amid the search for Tylee and JJ.
Chad’s then-wife Tammy, 49, died on October 19 at the couple’s home in Salem.
The cause of death was initially ruled as natural but is now in dispute after authorities exhumed her body on December 10.
The following day, Cox died of mysterious circumstances, which are now under investigation.
Lori and Chad married just two weeks after Tammy died.
Family members have said the mother changed drastically after meeting Chad about 18 months ago and joining the doomsday cult he is a member of.
Lori’s estranged husband Charles Vallow (pictured together) was shot dead by her brother, Alex Cox, after they got in an argument in July. Authorities initially determined that Cox acted in self-defense but reopened the investigation last month amid the search for Tylee and JJ
Chad’s then-wife Tammy (pictured together) died on October 19 at the couple’s home in Salem. The cause of death was initially ruled as natural but is now in dispute after authorities exhumed her body on December 10
In his emotional YouTube video, Colby told his mother: ‘I’m so hurt by all of this.
‘I can’t even explain to you how much this affects so many different people. I’m not sure if you know that or where you’re at, what you’re doing.’
Colby said he is worried about Tylee and JJ and urged his mother to at the very least show someone that they’re alive and well via FaceTime.
‘I want you to end this. I want you to end it for everybody, for the kids, for yourself, for all of us. This can end,’ he said.
‘Please, from me, from the person that I’ve been closest to my whole life.’
In his emotional YouTube video, Colby said he is worried about Tylee and JJ (pictured) and urged his mother to at the very least show someone that they’re alive and well via FaceTime