Family: Murder suspect texted them with victim’s phone
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IDAHO FALLS — The family of local murder victim says texts were sent from her phone after her death.
This week the victim’s sister, Nancy Waters, and Bonneville County Sheriff Paul Wilde went on national television to discuss the latest on the investigation into the death of Christin Caldwell, 48.
The sheriff’s office is seeking nationwide help in its manhunt for Jeremy White, 39, of Idaho Falls, who is wanted for second-degree murder.
White is a suspect in Caldwell’s death after her body was found inside a home on the 3100 block of South 35th West on Friday morning.
He is accompanied by Deena Rane Aday, 49, of Idaho Falls. They are believed to be traveling in a 2004 silver Jeep Cherokee with Idaho license plate 8B HV461.
Since law enforcement officers have not been able to make contact with Aday, they consider her to be in danger.
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Suspicious messages
On Monday, Waters, Wilde and EastIdahoNews.com reporter Stephan Rockefeller appeared during a 15-minute segment on Ashleigh Banfield’s Primetime Justice on HLN.
During the show, Waters told Banfield suspicious phone calls and texts were sent days before Caldwell’s body was found buried in her basement. The family believes Caldwell had already been killed at the time of the texts and calls.
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Waters said on Nov. 8 White had called Caldwell’s mother to tell her that they were on their way to Pocatello. Waters said Caldwell talked to their mother on a daily basis, and White had never previously spoken to Caldwell’s mother in lieu of her daughter before.
White and Caldwell had been in a relationship for more than a decade, according to Caldwell’s family.
Waters also said that on Nov. 9, two days after Caldwell’s family had heard from her personally, one of Caldwell’s sisters received a text wishing her a happy birthday. Waters said that the words used in the text were an obvious sign that it didn’t come from Caldwell.
During the broadcast, the sheriff did not confirm the family’s theories about the texts. He also did not provide any previously unreleased details in the murder investigation.
Wilde said he wanted to get the word out on this case nationwide.
White has family in Nevada, but whether he and Aday are there is unknown. Law enforcement agencies across the country have been notified that he is on the run, and the sheriff said detectives are following up on all leads.
If you see White or Aday, authorities say you should call 911 or local law enforcement immediately. White is considered to be armed and dangerous, so do not approach them.
Tips are being accepted the following ways:
By phone:
Crimestoppers: (208) 522-1983
Dispatch: (208) 529-1200
Online:
www.ifcrime.org
Bonneville County Sheriff’s Facebook page
