Man Found Naked Near SUV With His Dead Baby After Killing Wife: Sheriff

An Idaho man is in custody after killing his wife and kidnapping their infant son, who was later found dead, according to the local sheriff's office.

The body of 10-month-old Zeke Best was found on Saturday roughly 20 miles from Idaho Falls after a group of hunters called 911 to report seeing a man in a sleeping bag on the side of the road.

The witness said the man, identified as 48-year-old Jeremy Albert Best, was "naked and making odd statements," according to a statement from the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) on Saturday.

At the time of the call, Best was suspected of slaying his wife, 38-year-old Kali Jean Randall, and kidnapping their infant son just hours after he underwent a psychological evaluation. Officials say after killing his wife, he fled with Zeke and triggered an Amber Alert for the 10-month-old.

The baby boy was found dead at the scene, but authorities did not say where Zeke's body was discovered or identify his cause of death.

Newsweek reached out via email on Sunday to the BCSO for comment.

Shortly before noon on November 30, BCSO deputies responded to a disturbance call at the Swan Valley General Store "regarding a male who was nude" and walking around the store. Best was evaluated by EMS on scene and transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center by ambulance and he was "turned over to the hospital staff for further medical and mental health concerns," BCSO said in the statement.

It was unclear at the time of publication what happened at the hospital but a spokesperson for the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) told local media that Best was discharged that afternoon.

EIRMC spokesperson Coleen Niemann told Newsweek in an email on Tuesday that due to federal privacy laws, she could not comment on details regarding Best's hospitalization.

"We are heartbroken by the tragedy that has rocked our community in the recent days and we join many in our area in extending our deepest sympathy to the families and loved ones of Kali and Zeke," Niemann said. "Like all hospitals, we follow specific standards of care when we assess and treat individuals, including those with behavioral health concerns. Idaho law limits law enforcement, hospitals, and healthcare providers from placing individuals on a protective custody hold unless specific clinical criteria is met. When these factors are not present or apparent at the time of the care process, hospitals cannot legally hold a patient against their or their family's wishes."

A few hours after leaving the hospital, Best went home to kill his wife and kidnap their baby, authorities said.

Around 11:40 p.m., the Teton County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) received a 911 call from the Best residence at Skyline Loop in Victor, according to a statement from TCSO. The dispatcher heard arguing and sent deputies to the house, the sheriff's office said.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they located the body of a woman, identified as Randall, at the home.

After discovering Randall's body, the sheriff's office issued an Amber Alert referring to Best as an "armed and very dangerous homicide and kidnapping suspect," according to the TCSO statement on Friday.

Newsweek reached out via email to TCSO for comment and update.

Shortly before 9:20 a.m. on Saturday, a group of hunters spotted a nude Best in Bonneville County and called 911.

"Best was secured and placed in a patrol car until Idaho Falls Ambulance personnel arrived to treat him for any injuries, BCSO said in a statement on Saturday.

Near the area where Best was located, deputies discovered his black Chevy SUV down an embankment off the roadway. While searching the scene, deputies found Zeke deceased.

Bonneville County Detectives, Idaho State Police, and the TCSO are investigating, with assistance from the Idaho Falls Police Detectives and FBI.

After a medical clearance, Best was transported to the Bonneville County Jail and booked for the outstanding homicide warrant in Teton County, BCSO said, adding that he will remain in custody until his arraignment.

Update 12/7/2023, 12:10 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Niemann.