The infant, identified as Zeke Best, was located lifeless over the weekend roughly 24 miles east of Idaho Falls, bringing a devastating end to an intense 36-hour search that mobilized state and federal authorities, local police departments, search and rescue teams, and concerned citizens across the region.

The discovery came after law enforcement officers responded to an unusual call from a hunter who reported spotting a man on the side of a rural road, wrapped in a sleeping bag, naked, and behaving erratically. That man was later identified as Jeremy Albert Best, the baby’s father, who was already the subject of a multi-agency manhunt following the issuance of the Amber Alert.

“The caller stated the man was naked and making odd statements,” police officials confirmed in a public statement released shortly after the arrest. What at first seemed like a strange roadside encounter quickly unfolded into one of the most tragic cases the region has seen in recent memory.

Timeline of the Disappearance

Authorities first became alarmed late Friday after receiving reports connected to Teton County, where Zeke Best had last been seen. An arrest warrant was swiftly issued for Jeremy Albert Best, whom investigators suspected of kidnapping his own child. As concern escalated, officials activated the Amber Alert system, alerting the public across multiple counties and urging anyone with information about the child’s whereabouts to contact authorities immediately.

The alert triggered an outpouring of public concern. Residents shared the alert across social media, local radio stations interrupted programming to broadcast updates, and drivers scanned highways for any sign of the suspect’s vehicle. Volunteers stood ready to assist if needed.

Throughout the night and into the following day, law enforcement worked tirelessly to locate both the child and the father. Roadblocks were established in strategic areas, surveillance footage was reviewed, and tips from the public were actively pursued.

Then came the call from the hunter.

A Disturbing Discovery on a Remote Road

When officers arrived at the remote roadside location east of Idaho Falls, they found Jeremy Albert Best in a deeply distressed and disoriented state. He was taken into custody immediately without resistance. Nearby, investigators located Best’s vehicle lodged in an embankment off the roadway, suggesting it had recently crashed or veered off course.

It was at this scene that officers made the devastating discovery.

Inside or near the vehicle, they found the lifeless body of baby Zeke.

The scene was immediately secured as a major crime site. Detectives, crime scene analysts, and forensic teams from multiple agencies were dispatched. The Idaho State Police, along with the FBI, joined the investigation, underscoring the seriousness and complexity of the case.

Officials have not yet released specific details about the cause of death, stating only that the case remains under active investigation. An autopsy has been ordered to determine exactly how and when the infant died.

A Family Tragedy Deepens

As authorities worked through the shock of Zeke’s death, the case took an even darker turn.

Law enforcement revealed that Jeremy Albert Best was also being sought in connection with the death of his wife, Kali Jean Randall, whose body had been discovered just one day earlier in her home in Victor, Idaho.

The Teton County Sheriff’s Office officially classified her death as a homicide, launching a separate but now deeply intertwined investigation. The timeline raised disturbing questions for investigators: within a span of roughly 48 hours, both a mother and her infant son were found dead, with the father at the center of both cases.

Authorities have not yet disclosed how Randall was killed or when investigators believe her death occurred. What is clear, however, is that the tragic sequence of events rapidly moved from a missing child alert to a multi-layered homicide investigation involving an entire family.

Community in Shock

The towns affected by the case—Victor, Idaho Falls, and surrounding rural communities—are small, tight-knit places where tragedies ripple quickly through schools, churches, and neighborhoods.

By Saturday evening, candles began appearing on front porches and near public gathering areas. Online, hundreds of residents posted messages of sorrow and disbelief.

“This just doesn’t feel real,” one local resident wrote. “A baby. A mother. Gone in just days.”

For many, the heartbreak is compounded by the frantic hope that surrounded the Amber Alert hours earlier. People had believed Zeke might still be found alive. The sudden shift from hope to tragedy has left the community struggling to process the events.

The Role of the Amber Alert

Though the outcome was devastating, officials emphasized the importance of the Amber Alert system in rapidly mobilizing public attention.

“The Amber Alert brought this case to the forefront immediately,” one law enforcement official stated. “People were watching. People were calling in tips. That level of awareness matters.”

Authorities credit the alert with helping narrow the search area and potentially leading to the faster location of the suspect. While it could not save Zeke, the case reinforced the critical role of public vigilance when children go missing.

Legal Proceedings Ahead

Jeremy Albert Best remains in custody as the investigation continues. At present, he is being held on charges related to the kidnapping of his child, with additional charges expected as the case unfolds. Prosecutors are now working closely with state and federal agencies to determine the full scope of criminal responsibility.

Legal experts note that the involvement of multiple jurisdictions—Teton County, Bonneville County, and state-level investigators—complicates but also strengthens the case.

“This kind of multi-agency collaboration ensures that no aspect of the investigation is overlooked,” one former prosecutor commented. “Every piece of evidence, every timeline detail will be scrutinized.”

Questions Still Unanswered

Many critical questions remain unresolved:

• When exactly did Zeke die?

• What events led up to the roadside discovery?

• What caused Randall’s death?

• Was there prior law enforcement involvement with the family?

• Were there any warning signs that might have been missed?

Investigators are working to reconstruct the final days leading up to the tragedy, piecing together digital records, witness statements, and forensic evidence to build a clear and accurate timeline.

Officials caution the public not to speculate as the case proceeds, emphasizing that false information can harm the integrity of the investigation and further traumatize those affected.

A Broader Conversation on Family Violence

Beyond the immediate tragedy, the deaths of Zeke Best and Kali Jean Randall have reignited conversations across Idaho about domestic violence, parental abduction, and child protection systems.

Advocacy groups have called for expanded resources for families experiencing crisis and for stronger mechanisms to identify and intervene in dangerous domestic situations before they escalate into irreversible tragedies.

“Too often, these cases only get attention after lives are lost,” one child safety advocate said. “We need earlier intervention, better reporting systems, and more access to support services for families under stress.”

Remembering Zeke

As the investigation continues, many in the community are choosing to focus on remembering the brief life of baby Zeke. Photos shared online show a bright-eyed child with a wide smile, wrapped in blankets, held in loving arms.

“What breaks my heart is how innocent he was,” one neighbor wrote. “He deserved a lifetime of birthdays, first steps, first words. He deserved everything.”

A candlelight vigil is being planned in the coming days to honor both Zeke and his mother, Kali. Organizers say the gathering will be a moment not just for mourning, but for unity, reflection, and support.

Moving Forward

For now, eastern Idaho remains in a state of quiet shock. Roads have reopened. The Amber Alert has been deactivated. Life, outwardly, is returning to routine—but the emotional weight of the tragedy lingers.

As authorities continue their investigation, they stress the importance of patience and respect for the process. Justice, they say, will follow the evidence.

“This is one of the most difficult cases our community has faced,” a sheriff’s official said. “Our hearts are with the family, with those who loved Zeke and Kali. We are committed to finding the truth and ensuring accountability.”

In the wake of this unspeakable loss, a community mourns a mother and her child—while hoping that through truth and justice, some measure of peace may eventually follow this devastating chapter.