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Suspect of kidnapped 10-month-old faces 2 murder charges for deaths of pregnant wife, unborn child

Best was shirtless as he appeared before the judge Monday to hear his criminal charges following the murder of his wife and kidnapping of 10-month-old on Nov. 30.
Credit: Zoom footage, KIFI

VICTOR, Idaho — Jeremy Albert Best, 48, was charged Monday with two counts of first degree murder in connection with the deaths of his wife and their unborn child on Nov. 30.

Jeremy Best appeared before Judge Jason Walker via webcam from the Bonneville County Jail - where he could be seen shirtless in a live video being streamed from the jail.

Best faces two counts of murder in the first degree: One for shooting his pregnant wife, Kali Best, and the second for the unborn child she was pregnant with. Best was also charged with one count of use of a firearm during a crime. 

There is no word if Best will face additional charges in the kidnapping and subsequent death of his 10-month-old son, Zeke.

Zeke Gregory Best, the son of Jeremy Best, was found dead on the morning of Dec. 2, the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office said. No details have yet been released about his suspected cause of death.

An AMBER Alert was issued for the infant on Dec. 1. The Teton County Sheriff's Office said it was looking for Jeremy Best after his wife was found dead the night before at a home in Victor, Idaho. 

The sheriff's office and Idaho State Police launched a homicide investigation and said they believed the 48-year-old man abducted his 10-month-old son and fled the area.

Just before midnight on Thursday, Nov. 30, Teton County deputies were dispatched to a home located at 4600 Skyline Loop in Victor where 38-year-old Kali Best was found dead. Police said Jeremy Best was likely "armed and very dangerous."

On Saturday, around 9:15 a.m., Bonneville County Dispatch received a call from a group of hunters who said they found a man on the side of the road in a sleeping bag. The report came from Kepps Cross Road, near Dan Creek Road, east of Idaho Falls. 

The caller said the man "was naked and making odd statements," according to a news release. Upon arrival, deputies with the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office identified the man as Jeremy Best. 

Idaho State Police on Friday said the suspect and the 10-month-old were likely traveling in a black 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe with Idaho plates. Deputies found the vehicle down an embankment off the roadway Saturday and located Zeke Best, who was found dead. 

The news release from the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office did not say whether the boy was found in the SUV or elsewhere at the scene. 

During Best's arraignment Monday, the defense requested a mental competency test be conducted from the Department of Health and Welfare. Best is being held in the Bonneville County Jail without bond. 

The judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for Dec. 18 at 9:30 a.m.

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