In a harrowing courtroom scene, a Utah man named David Remley was condemned as a “monster” by his own sister, highlighting the gravity of his crimes. Remley, 37, faced justice as he received four consecutive sentences of 15 years to life. A jury found him guilty on multiple charges, including three counts of child kidnapping, one count of aggravated kidnapping, and domestic violence, among others.

Remley’s arrest in August 2024 marked the culmination of a terrifying ordeal for his former girlfriend, Brittany Deal, and her three young children, ages 9, 5, and 2. The family was discovered in Nevada, following their disappearance from Utah. At the time of the incident, Deal had secured a protective order against Remley, one of several he had previously violated.

In a candid interview with CBS affiliate KUTV, Deal detailed the cycle of abuse that plagued their relationship. “I would try breaking up with [Remley], and that’s when the fights would get really violent,” she recounted. This pattern of violence eventually led to a warrant for Remley’s arrest on August 14, 2024, after an altercation turned violent.

The severity of the injuries Deal sustained during this incident, paired with Remley’s history of domestic violence and violation of protective orders, prompted authorities to seek a no-bail warrant to ensure her safety. Less than a week later, on August 20, 2024, Deal and her children were reported missing.

KUTV reported that Remley arrived at Deal’s residence under the guise of taking them on a “road trip.” However, the journey quickly took a sinister turn, as Remley drove for eight hours without pause, carrying no supplies or luggage, but chains were found in the vehicle, underscoring the chilling intent behind his actions.

Authorities found Remley, Deal, and her children in Nevada, unharmed, the same day. Remley was taken into custody. After Deal and her family were found, she told authorities that while he was holding them captive, he told them they were “going to Heaven.”

Once Remley was behind bars, he continued to make threats toward Deal, telling his father, “She deserves to die for what she did to me.” The phone call was one of many similar calls played in court.

Remley was found guilty on Oct. 29, 2025, of three counts of child kidnapping, one count of aggravated kidnapping, unauthorized possession of a firearm or motor vehicle, assault, and three counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child.

During his sentencing hearing on Thursday, Deal’s mother said in her victim impact statement that Remley’s abuse “robbed Brittany of so many things, has robbed her children as well.” She said one of Deal’s children told her, “My mom is not the same since David hurt her, and I miss my old mom.”

Remley’s sister also spoke on behalf of Deal, saying, “I watched over time as you became someone I didn’t want to know. You became the monster Mom warned us about. The one she spent her whole life protecting us from.”

Remley was sentenced to four terms of 15 years to life for the four kidnapping charges, to be served consecutively. He received lesser sentences for the remaining charges, to be served concurrently.

Deal has a GoFundMe page set up for her family as she continues to recover and rebuild after the kidnapping.