In a heartbreaking and horrifying case from Idaho, a man has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for murdering his pregnant wife and their 10-month-old son. The case has shocked the state and left an entire family devastated.
Man Found Guilty of Killing Wife, Son, and Unborn Baby
Jeremy Albert Best, aged 50, was sentenced to three life terms in prison by District Judge Dane H. Watkins Jr. on Thursday. He was convicted of killing his wife, Kali Best, 39, their 10-month-old son Zeke, and their unborn baby girl, Freya.
Jeremy had pleaded guilty in February 2024 to three counts — first-degree murder for Zeke’s death and second-degree murder for the killings of Kali and the unborn child. The court accepted his plea deal after careful review and consultation with the victims’ family members.
Relationship Struggles and Drug Abuse Behind the Crimes
According to Teton County Prosecutor Bailey A. Smith, Jeremy and Kali had a very troubled relationship. There were financial problems and reports of drug use. Smith also said Jeremy was verbally abusive to his wife, and the pregnancy seemed to make matters worse.
Text messages between the couple showed Jeremy was struggling with money, thinking about taking loans or selling everything he owned and disappearing. Kali had even written that he was planning to “leave with just a backpack.”
Horrific Details Shared During Sentencing
During the three-day sentencing hearing, a detective and a neighbor shared what they witnessed. The neighbor had heard gunshots from the Best family home, while the detective described the violent crime scene.
Prosecutor Smith called the killings one of the most heinous and depraved acts the state has ever seen. “This isn’t just a murder case,” she said. “This is family annihilation by a man who kept making selfish, dangerous choices.”
Family Shares Painful Memories in Court
Kali Best’s family spoke during the hearing, describing how her death turned their world upside down. Her sister Emma Brice shared the emotional pain of finding out what had happened.
“I can still hear my mother’s screams,” Emma said. “I hear them in my sleep. I hear them in the quiet. And I hear them when I look at my own child and realize how fragile everything truly is.”
Police Discovered Crimes After Suspicious Public Incident
On November 30, 2023, police were first alerted to something unusual when Jeremy was seen naked and behaving strangely at a general store in Swan Valley, Idaho. He was taken to the hospital for medical and mental health checks and later released.
Around 12 hours later, a 911 call came from the Best home in Victor, Idaho. Deputies found Kali dead inside the house and quickly realized that Zeke had been taken. An Amber Alert was issued, and Jeremy Best was declared armed and dangerous.
On December 2, 2023, hunters spotted a naked man in a sleeping bag by the road near Idaho Falls. Police arrived and confirmed it was Jeremy. His SUV was found crashed nearby, and little Zeke was found dead inside.
Remembering Kali and Her Love for Family and Nature
Kali’s cousin, Meg Fischer, told local news that Kali loved living in Idaho and was passionate about nature and animals. “She was called to the mountains,” Meg said. “Motherhood was her greatest joy, and we believe she gave her life trying to protect her children.”
This terrible case has left a permanent mark on the people of Idaho. A man who should have protected his family chose to destroy it instead. As Jeremy Best begins his life behind bars, the family and community continue to grieve the loss of Kali, Zeke, and Freya. Their memory lives on through the love of those they left behind.
