10-Month-Old Baby Found Dead near Still-Living Father after 36-Hour Search

• An infant boy has been tragically found deceased by the side of the road near his living father.
• The baby's father is accused of murdering his pregnant wife and kidnapping the child.
• The murder suspect dad has been arrested on a homicide warrant and will be held in custody until the arraignment.

In a heartbreaking turn of events, the lifeless body of a 10-month-old Idaho infant, Zeke Best, was discovered days after the reported murder of his mother in their home. Allegedly abducted by his father on Thursday, November 30, the same day his mother met her tragic end, Zeke's fate unfolded in a series of disturbing events.

Earlier on that fateful day, Zeke's dad drew attention when he was reportedly observed wandering through a store fully naked. Despite this concerning behavior, he was released from mental health screening hours before allegedly perpetrating the fatal acts against his wife, Kali Jean Randall, 38, and young Zeke.

A Heart-Wrenching Tragedy

Following the discovery of Kali's lifeless body on Thursday evening, a desperate manhunt was initiated for the missing child and his father, the latter being described as "heavily armed and dangerous." The search concluded in sorrow on Saturday morning, December 2, as Zeke was found deceased by the side of a road, close to his still-living father.

Upon their arrival, the deputies discovered Kali unresponsive.

According to a news release, Bonneville County Dispatch received a distressing call from a group of hunters around 9:15 a.m. on Saturday. The hunters reported encountering a man in a sleeping bag at the side of the road, stating that he was both unclothed and making peculiar statements.

In response, Bonneville County Sheriff's deputies promptly arrived on Kepps Crossing Road, near Dan Creek Road, east of Idaho Falls. Upon interacting with the hunters, law enforcement identified the man as 48-year-old Jeremy Albert Best.

As noted by officials, he was secured and placed in a patrol car, waiting for Idaho Falls Ambulance personnel to address any potential injuries. Jeremy, sought on suspicion of homicide by the Teton County Sheriff's Office, remained detained at the scene until receiving medical attention. The nature of the injuries he sustained remains unclear.

Notably, authorities discovered his black Chevy SUV nearby in an embankment during their search, ultimately leading them to the tragic discovery of the deceased child after a 36-hour search. It is uncertain whether Zeke was inside the vehicle at that time.

The ongoing investigation involves multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, and Jeremy is said to be formally booked into the Bonneville County Jail. According to Bonneville County Coroner Rick Taylor, the cause of death for baby Zeke is yet to be determined. His body is slated to be transported to Boise for a forensic autopsy.

The Investigation Is Ongoing

The tragic sequence of events commenced on Thursday when Jeremy attracted attention with a peculiar display at the Swan Valley General Store, where he was reportedly observed walking completely unclothed. Witnesses recounted seeing the man sprawled on the store's counter near a cash register, and he was physically removed from the premises by several individuals after attempting to seize a cigarette.

Responding to reports of the disturbance at the general store, deputies from the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office intervened and subsequently transported Jeremy to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for a psychological evaluation. Despite his unsettling conduct, he was said to be released on the same day, and the kidnapping of Zeke unfolded mere hours after this initial incident.

Later that evening, around 11:40 p.m., the Teton County Sheriff's Office received an open-line 911 call from the Best residence. The caller's identity, whether it was Kali or someone else, remains unclear. The dispatcher reported hearing arguments on the line, prompting the dispatch of deputies to the residence.

Upon their arrival, the deputies discovered Kali unresponsive. Her tragic death is currently under investigation by both the Sheriff's Office and the Idaho State Police, classified as a homicide.

Following the tragic events, authorities revealed that Jeremy, suspected of killing his pregnant wife, was on the run with Zeke after the alleged murder. Notably, he remained unseen from Thursday evening until his arrest on Saturday morning.

The gravity of the situation prompted the issuance of an Amber Alert around 4 a.m. on Friday, December 1, prompting law enforcement throughout Idaho to mobilize in a concerted effort to locate the missing infant.

Jeremy has now been formally booked on a homicide warrant and is slated to remain in custody until his arraignment. The arrest followed the discovery of Zeke's lifeless body, prompting the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office to express condolences in a statement that said:

"Our thoughts are with the family of the victims involved in this case. Further information about this case will be available at an appropriate time in the future as the investigation is still ongoing."

The story has already gained traction on social media, where people are sharing messages of condolence and support for the deceased mother-son duo. "Poor little boy, he deserved a life," wrote one commenter.

"So sad. That baby didn't deserve this. I don't understand how a parent can kill their own child," said another user. "Heartbreaking tragedy. May this sweet baby and mother RIP together forever," added yet another netizen.

Click here to read another story about a little girl who was excited to be turning six but died weeks before her birthday after a crash with a police car.