BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho (TCD) — Law enforcement officials apprehended a 48-year-old man accused of killing his pregnant wife and their toddler, who he allegedly had kidnapped, and arrested him on suspicion of murder.
On Nov. 30 at approximately 11:40 p.m., Teton County deputies responded to a home on Skyline Loop and found Kali Best deceased. Their 10-month-old son, Zeke Best, was nowhere to be found. Investigators identified Jeremy Best as the suspect in Kali Best’s killing and Zeke Best’s apparent kidnapping.
Officials issued an Amber Alert as the search for Zeke Best continued. The Teton County Sheriff’s Office said Jeremy Best was “believed to be heavily armed” and likely traveling in a black Chevrolet Tahoe. He was wanted on homicide and kidnapping charges.
Two days later, on Dec. 2, Bonneville County Dispatch received a call from hunters who said there was a naked man “making odd statements” inside a sleeping bag on the side of the road. Deputies identified the man as Jeremy Best. An ambulance also arrived at the scene soon after to treat Best for potential injuries.
Investigators searched the area and reportedly found a black Chevy SUV near an embankment as well as the infant, Zeke Best, deceased.
Best was arrested and is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of using a firearm in the commission of a crime.
According to the criminal complaint, Best allegedly shot Kali Best “in the back and/or right breast and/or right side causing her death.” She was pregnant at the time of her death, so the second murder charge relates to the killing of her unborn child.
The Teton County prosecuting attorney’s office’s statement did not announce any charges relating to Zeke Best’s death. Best was initially charged with two counts of second-degree murder, but those were amended to first-degree as the investigation continued. Kali Best was 28 weeks pregnant when she was killed.
The attorney’s office said Best could face up to life in prison or the death penalty if he is convicted of murder. Prosecutors have 60 days to determine if they want to seek the death penalty against him.
According to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, on the same day Kali Best was found dead, Jeremy Best was taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center by an ambulance because he was walking around a local general store nude. A deputy followed the ambulance and he was then evaluated by doctors and staff “for further medical and mental health concerns.”
Social media posts show Jeremy Best and Kali Randall Best wed in September 2022.
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