A 50-year-old Idaho man admitted to killing his pregnant wife and 10-month-old son before he was spotted naked in a sleeping bag along the side of a snowy road making odd statements.
Jeremy Albert Best on Thursday pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of his son Zeke Gregory Best and second-degree murder of his wife Kali Best 39 and their unborn child Freya. As part of the plea agreement the defendant will no longer face the death penalty. A judge is expected to sentence him to life in prison at a hearing scheduled for July 23. Prosecutors in Teton and Bonneville said in a joint press release that the plea deal came after mediation and with the input of family members of the victims.
As Law&Crime previously reported cops first learned something was amiss shortly before noon on Nov. 30 2023 after the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office responded to a general store in Swan Valley near the Potato State’s border with Wyoming for a nude man walking through the store a press release said. Video obtained by EastIdahoNews.com showed the man identified as Jeremy Best slumped over a counter before being escorted outside. An ambulance took him to a hospital for medical and mental health concerns deputies said. He was treated and released.
About 12 hours after the call to the general store a dispatcher in nearby Teton County heard a disturbance during a 911 call a press release said. Deputies rushed to the home at 4600 Skyline Loop in Victor and found Kali Best inside unresponsive. First responders pronounced her dead. Detectives quickly determined Jeremy Best killed his wife and then kidnapped their son.
Following an intense search law enforcement officers tracked Jeremy Best to a remote snowy roadside where he was discovered wrapped in a sleeping bag and muttering incoherent statements. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to a local hospital for evaluation before being booked into jail.
Court documents reveal that during questioning Best initially provided inconsistent statements about his actions leading up to the murders. He claimed he had been experiencing intense paranoia and hallucinations but later admitted to deliberately killing his wife and child. According to investigators Best used a knife to kill his wife before slitting his son’s throat. Authorities described the crime scene as horrific with clear evidence of premeditation.
The prosecution team presented substantial evidence linking Best to the crime including forensic analysis witness statements and surveillance footage. Bloodstains found on Best’s clothing and DNA evidence at the scene further corroborated his involvement. Prosecutors emphasized that the plea deal ensured that Best would never walk free again while sparing the victims’ family the trauma of a lengthy trial.
Kali Best was a beloved community member known for her kindness and dedication to her family. Friends and relatives described her as a devoted mother who adored her son Zeke and was eagerly anticipating the arrival of her daughter Freya. She worked as a teacher in Victor where colleagues and students mourned her tragic loss. A candlelight vigil was held in her honor with hundreds gathering to pay their respects.
The case has sparked widespread discussion on mental health and domestic violence. Experts suggest that signs of distress in individuals prone to violence should never be ignored. Advocates are calling for increased awareness and intervention programs to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The sentencing hearing on July 23 is expected to include victim impact statements from Kali Best’s family members who have expressed their devastation over the crime. Jeremy Best will likely serve consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole ensuring he remains incarcerated for the rest of his life.
For now the town of Victor mourns the loss of a mother and child whose lives were taken far too soon. Community members continue to support the Best family as they navigate the painful aftermath of this heartbreaking crime.
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