Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
VICTOR, Idaho – The Victor community came together Thursday night to grieve during a candlelight vigil in memory of Kali Randall, her unborn baby and 10-month-old Zeke Best.
Jeremy Albert Best, 48, is charged with two counts first degree murder in connection with the deaths of his wife Kali Randall Best and their unborn child.
Kali Best, Zeke's mother, was discovered dead last week at her Victor home. She was also six months pregnant, according to court documents. Her husband, Jeremy Best, left the residence with their 10-month-old and was discovered Saturday morning east of Idaho Falls. His black SUV was nearby and Zeke was found deceased.
The vigil at Victor City Park was organized by the Family Safety Network and the Mental Health Coalition. About 100 people showed up and members of the community spoke about their ties to Kali Best and Zeke, remembering Kali Best as an artist, 'loving mountain mama' and an avid snowboarder.
At the front of the vigil was a memorial gate, filled with notes of loss and heartache from community members, and topped with photos of Kali Best and Zeke. The memorial will stay in the park until the end of December.
Karlin Bilcher, a local pastor, remembered Kali Best's smile and love for the outdoors, saying she was always the first in line on a snowy day at Grand Targhee Ski Resort.
"I knew her laugh, I knew her smile, I knew her strength," said Bilcher. "I knew her beauty from the inside and the outside."
Bilcher says Zeke was a beautiful baby known for his chubby red cheeks.
"There are no words to describe that beautiful bundle of chubby red-cheeked joy," said Bilcher.
Bilcher told the audience that he officiated the wedding of Kali and Jeremy Best last year, and is struggling from the experience and tragedy of Kali Best's and Zeke's death, along with her unborn baby.
"I feel a lot of grief that I married them. I gotta tell ya, on this end of things, I'm torn up," said Bilcher. "I'm reeling with feelings of anger, grief, frustration, and perhaps even a little embarrassment."
Ending the vigil, Bilcher reminded the audience to reach out for help, noting that the community is grieving together.
"I don't have to stay stuck there, and you don't have to stay stuck there, either," said Bilcher. "It's important that we gather together and share the burdens of one another's pain."
