The disappearance and death of 10-month-old Zeke Best shook rural Idaho, turning what started as a hopeful Amber Alert into a heartbreaking criminal investigation. The alert was issued shortly after the infant’s mother, Kali Jean Randall, was found dead in her home—news that immediately raised fears that the two cases were connected.

Those fears were confirmed when a hunter spotted a naked, disoriented man wrapped in a sleeping bag on a remote road east of Idaho Falls. Authorities identified him as Jeremy Albert Best, Zeke’s father and the primary suspect. Nearby, they found his crashed vehicle and, tragically, Zeke’s body. The scene quickly became the center of a major investigation involving local authorities, the Idaho State Police, the FBI, and forensic specialists working to piece together the baby’s final hours.

Investigators also linked Best to Randall’s killing, which had occurred about a day before Zeke vanished. They are now reconstructing the timeline through digital evidence, witness accounts, and forensic tests to understand whether the violence was planned or the result of a sudden crisis.

Across eastern Idaho, communities responded with vigils, candles, and messages honoring both Kali and Zeke. The case sparked conversations about domestic violence, mental health, and how to recognize danger before tragedy strikes.

While the Amber Alert could not change the outcome, law enforcement says it helped locate Best quickly. He now faces kidnapping charges, with additional homicide charges expected. As authorities work through the remaining questions—including Best’s mental state—residents continue seeking answers, justice, and healing after a devastating loss.