Blaze Thibaudeau: Missing AZ teen found; docs state he was linked to family of 'chosen' doomsday messengers
PHOENIX - There is a new twist in the case related to a missing teenager from Arizona.
According to a post made by Gilbert Police on X (formerly Twitter), 16-year-old Blaze Thibaudeau was located safe by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the Alcan Port of Entry.
The Alcan Port of Entry, according to Google Maps, is located along Alaska's border with Canada's Yukon Territory.
"Blaze was in the company of his mother, Spring Thibaudeau, his uncle Brook Hale, and sister Abigail Thibaudeau. Spring Thibaudeau and Brook Hale were arrested on valid full extradition warrants and turned over to Alaska State Troopers," read a post made by Gilbert Police officials on X.
Alaska DPS confirms that Spring Thibaudeau and Brook Hale were booked at Fairbanks Correctional Center. Both have since been extradited to Arizona and booked into Maricopa County Jail on charges of custodial interference.
From left: Blaze Thibaudeau, Spring Thibaudeau and Brook Hale
(The original story is below)
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Gilbert Police and the FBI are asking for help to find a missing teen believed to have been taken out of state by his mother. It's a case of custodial interference now crossing state lines – into Idaho.
This story may sound eerily familiar because of the alleged doomsday beliefs linked to the family.
A motion for emergency temporary orders was filed by the father of 16-year-old Blaze Thibaudeau. It was filed right after Blaze was taken from his Gilbert home to Boise, Idaho.
Documents mention the Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell saga that ended with multiple murders, saying the teen’s mom formed similar beliefs about the end of the world several years ago.
Blaze is a 16-year-old junior at Gilbert High School. Now missing, he is believed to be with his mother, Spring Thibaudeau, and two other family members, his uncle, Brooke Hale, and older sister, Abigail Thibaudeau.
Blaze’s father Benjamin interviewed with Nate Eaton of East Idaho News, saying the teen was taken by his mom.
(Previous report) Concerns grow for missing Gilbert teen
Gilbert Police and the FBI are asking for help to find a missing teen believed to have been taken out of state by his mother. It's a story that may sound eerily familiar because of the alleged doomsday beliefs linked to the family, and court documents also mention the saga surrounding Lori Vallow. FOX 10 Investigator Justin Lum reports.
Blaze’s 23-year-old sister Abi Snarr followed as the family flew from Phoenix to Boise, leaving Spring’s car at Sky Harbor Airport on October 23.
Benjamin petitioned for sole custody of Blaze the next day.
Court documents say Spring took her son out of state "against his will" – as part of her "end of the world doomsday belief system."
"They felt like they need to protect him, and they needed to take him to this undisclosed location where he would receive his calling and understand his role in the second coming and the savior’s return to the Earth," said Benjamin.
Benjamin’s motion also says Spring’s brother is the leader of the group that believes Blaze is the "Davidic messenger" prophesied in scripture.
Court documents reveal that Spring allegedly believes she is a prophetess and the group thinks they have "super-elite chosen status as messengers of the last days."
"She started spending significant amount of money on food prep… she was buying a lot of winter gear, even though we live in Arizona. She was buying tents, she was convinced that the saints would have to gather in the last days up into the mountains, and she was preparing for that.," said Benjamin.
"Questions for the Lord"
Exhibits filed by Benjamin's lawyer show a journal entry titled "Questions for the lord" and asks, "Am I one of the witnesses who preaches with Blaze?" And "Will I be asked to give my life?"
A second exhibit is a letter that Blaze’s uncle allegedly wrote to his kids saying, "If you are reading this right now, it means that I am gone. I don’t know where I am going. I was not told."
The note goes on to say that Brook has been having visions on an incredible journey of faith over the past year.
Left to right: Blaze Thibaudeau, Spring Thibaudeau (mother), Brook Hale (uncle), Abigail Thibaudeau (sister). Blaze has been found, according to Gilbert Police officials.
The FBI is now involved as officials tell us that the family could be traveling to Canada with heavy snow gear, last known to be driving a white 2004 Lexus GX 470 with dealer tags.
Blaze is described as 6' 2" with light brown hair, and green/blue eyes.
On Oct. 27, we obtained a criminal complaint in which Spring and Brook are accused of Conspiracy to Commit Custodial Interference, in addition to Custodial Interference. Warrants have also been issued.
Documents also tell us that Blaze has strongly resisted his mom’s alleged beliefs.