REXBURG, Idaho — The discovery of the remains buried behind Chad Daybell’s home was heartbreaking news for people throughout the Rexburg area.

Investigators were at the Salem, Idaho, property shortly after sunrise Wednesday morning and continued to meticulously comb through any potential evidence at the home.

After months of hoping and praying that 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan would be found safe, family members confirmed the two sets of human remains found were those of the children.

“It is tough. It’s really tough,” said Sheila Widerburg. “I’ve been thinking about Kay and Larry Woodcock (JJ’s grandparents), and how they’ve tried to keep up hope all this time, that maybe those kids were still alive, and maybe they would be reunited.”

“It’s really sad for the family, and sad for the kids, and … I have kids of my own, and … it’s just unthinkable,” said Colt Blaser.

Some wanted to make their support for the family easy to see, with chalk on the sidewalk outside the Fremont County Courthouse that read, “Justice for J.J. and Tylee.”

There were also signs that included the children’s pictures.

Neighbors wanted to send a very clear message to whoever might happen to glance over — perhaps even Chad Daybell himself, who was in custody just across the street.

People KSL spoke to said they just can’t believe how the case has unfolded.

“The fact that they confirmed that they were two children’s remains that they found just breaks your heart, and it kind of, in a way, kills that hope that you thought maybe there’s a chance that they were still alive,” said Ashley Seare.

She said it’s a parent’s “innate responsibility” to care for children, and these children deserved better.

Related:

Family says remains of Tylee Ryan and Joshua 'JJ' Vallow recovered at Idaho home

The remains of 17-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow have been recovered at the home of Chad Daybell — the husband of the kids’ mother, Lori Vallow Daybell — family confirmed Wednesday.

Officials with the Rexburg Police Department have said very little about the investigation. They originally served a search warrant at the Daybell home back in January.

There was no word on what brought them back to the home Tuesday.

Chad Daybell made his first court appearance in Fremont County on two felony charges of concealment of evidence. Bail was set at $1 million.

His wife, Lori Vallow, was being held at the Madison County Jail on two counts of desertion of a child, obstructing an officer, solicitation and contempt. She was also being held on a $1 million bond.

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