An Idaho woman accused of murdering her 18-month-old twins could face execution if she is convicted, after prosecutors confirmed they intend to seek the death penalty in her upcoming trial.
Andrea Shaw, 23, has pleaded not guilty to charges over the deaths of her daughter, Dallas, and son, Tyson, who were found dead in their bed at the family’s trailer home in Payette, Idaho, on May 1, 2025.
Shaw was arrested in June and is currently being held at Payette County Jail on a $2 million bond. Her trial is scheduled to begin in January.
Court records show that state prosecutors formally announced their intention to pursue capital punishment in a filing submitted on Friday.
Prosecutor Cites Alleged Disregard for Human Life
Payette County Prosecutor Mike Duke provided further details in a separate court document filed on Monday, arguing that Shaw’s alleged actions met the statutory requirements for the death penalty.
According to the filing, prosecutors believe Shaw poses a potential threat to society and demonstrated what they described as “exceptional depravity” and an “utter disregard for human life.”
A jury would have to find at least one qualifying aggravating circumstance proven beyond a reasonable doubt before Shaw could be sentenced to death.
Prosecutors Dispute Claims That Vaccines Caused Deaths
Shaw has maintained that her children died from complications associated with vaccinations, including Hepatitis A, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP), and influenza vaccines.
However, prosecutors have rejected that explanation.
Duke previously told the court that the case was not related to vaccine injuries, citing findings from a forensic pathologist.
According to an autopsy report referenced in a court filing, the twins died from pulmonary vascular congestion, a condition involving the accumulation of blood and fluid in the blood vessels of the lungs.
Duke has also said investigators ruled out environmental explanations, including excessive heat and carbon monoxide poisoning.
He argued that suffocation was the only reasonable explanation for the deaths of both children at the same time.
Prosecutors allege that the twins were smothered, although Shaw has denied the murder allegations by pleading not guilty.
Mother Described Children’s Final Days on Podcast
Shaw publicly discussed the deaths on a podcast hosted by an anti-vaccine nonprofit 10 days after the children died.
Her husband, Nathaniel Shaw, also appeared on the programme.
During the interview, Shaw claimed that members of her husband’s family had experienced adverse reactions to influenza vaccines.
She said the twins appeared well after receiving their vaccinations and slept when they returned home, with the remainder of the evening proceeding as usual.
According to Shaw, the children became lethargic the following day.
She alleged that both developed green diarrhoea and that their lips took on a blue tinge.
Shaw said her mother-in-law subsequently arrived and took the children to a nearby hospital.
She claimed they were discharged after spending several days there and were later found dead at home.
Describing the discovery, Shaw said the children appeared to have died in their sleep.
She recounted turning Tyson over and attempting to wake him before calling emergency services, then finding Dallas in the same condition.
Nathaniel Shaw said he was at work while the family was dealing with the children’s health problems.
Prosecutors Point to Changes in Mother’s Account
Duke has said the investigation led to murder charges against Shaw because, according to prosecutors, she repeatedly changed her account of events surrounding the twins’ deaths.
He contrasted her statements with those of her husband, whom he said maintained a consistent account and cooperated with investigators.
“There are only two people who could have been involved in this crime,” Duke said, according to KSL.
He added that one person had been straightforward with law enforcement, while the other allegedly changed her story when her statements appeared to have criminal implications.
Duke also said Shaw acknowledged being at home with the children at the time of their deaths.
Shaw’s defence team has indicated that it intends to continue pursuing a vaccine-injury argument during the trial.
She has retained a lawyer associated with Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine nonprofit founded and previously led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who serves as US Health and Human Services Secretary.
Idaho’s Execution Method Could Be Used in Capital Case
If Shaw is convicted of murder and the jury determines that the case qualifies for capital punishment, she could become the first person executed in Idaho since 2012.
The state designated death by firing squad as its primary execution method in July, following the cancellation of the planned lethal injection of convicted murderer Thomas Creech in 2024.
The lethal injection was called off after the execution team was unable to find a suitable vein to administer pentobarbital.
Shaw remains in custody awaiting her January trial, where the murder allegations and prosecutors’ request for the death penalty will be considered.
