VICTOR, Idaho — New court documents filed Monday provide insight into the mental state of 48-year-old Jeremy Best, who is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his wife and their unborn child.
A probable cause affidavit states Deputy R. Christensen with the Teton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a property in Victor, Teton County, just before midnight on Nov. 30 after someone called 911 and hung up.
When they listened back to a recording of the 911 call, the affidavit states authorities heard a female's voice repeatedly saying "Jeremy, no," followed by the sound of a man's voice saying, "get the f**k back, you’re going to get shot,” and “I love you, love you, love you.”
After arriving at the property, Christensen noticed a man standing across the street, identified in the affidavit as Timothy Auchampach.
The affidavit states Auchampach told the deputy that prior to his arrival, he heard Jeremy and his wife Kali, fighting. He continued to tell Christensen he heard Kali yell, “Jeremy stop it, you have baby,” followed by five gunshots.
Auchampach informed the deputy he witnessed a black vehicle pulling out of the driveway of the home. He also noted an infant lived inside the home.
After Christensen's unanswered attempt to knock on the door of the home, the affidavit states he began walking back down the driveway, which is where he found a half-nude, deceased woman lying on the ground outside near one of the two shops nestled on the property, according to court documents.
One of the shops is Jeremy’s business, Jeremy’s Auto Repair.
The woman, later confirmed to be Kali, was surrounded by a large pool of blood and had gunshot wounds on the right side of her body. The affidavit states that Christensen attempted CPR on Kali. However, she was already dead.
With assistance from Kali’s OBGYN provider, Teton County Coroner Theresa Lerch confirmed Kali was 28 weeks pregnant.
The affidavit states additional officers arrived at the scene to assist Christensen because of the extreme circumstances and nature of the crime. The group entered and cleared all three structures on the property.
While investigating, officers found a broken cell phone, a leather pistol holster and a black revolver. There was also a large gun safe in the master bedroom, according to court documents.
Authorities also accuse Jeremy of kidnapping his 10-month-old son, Zeke, after the shooting. An AMBER Alert was issued early Friday morning for the infant.
Zeke's body was found near where Jeremy's car rolled off an embankment west of Idaho Falls on Saturday, the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office said. Jeremy has not been charged in connection with Zeke's death.
No details have been released about Zeke's suspected cause of death.
Earlier that day
At approximately 11:55 a.m. on Nov. 30, Bonneville County deputies were dispatched to the Swan Valley General Store for a disturbance call regarding a naked man walking through the store, according to a Bonneville County Sherriff's Office news release.
The deputies identified the man as Jeremy.
Jeremy was evaluated by EMS at the general store and transported to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, where hospital staff evaluated him for mental health concerns, according to the news release.
It is not clear exactly when and why the hospital released Jeremy.
A spokesperson for the hospital said in a statement to KTVB, "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."
Arrest and court appearance
On Saturday morning, Bonneville County dispatch received a call stating that a man was found in a sleeping bag on the side of the road.
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.
The vehicle Jeremy was driving was found nearby down an embankment. Officers also found Zeke Best, who was dead.
Jeremy appeared before Judge Jason Walker via webcam from the Bonneville County Jail on Monday - where he could be seen shirtless in a live video being streamed from the jail.
Jeremy Best was charged with two counts of murder in the first degree – one for shooting his pregnant wife, Kali Jean Best, and the second for the unborn child she was pregnant with. Jeremy was also charged with one count of use of a firearm during a crime.
The court ordered that Jeremy undergo a mental competency evaluation. It states he must be examined by psychiatrist or licensed psychologist designated by the Department of Health and Welfare "as soon as possible."
There is no word if Jeremy will face additional charges in the kidnapping and subsequent death of his 10-month-old son, Zeke.
The judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for Dec. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
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