Son Reflects on Life Before Mother’s Captor Faces Long Prison Sentence for Family Kidnapping and Abuse

A Utah man has been described as a “monster” in court by his own sister after receiving his sentence for the kidnapping and abuse of his former girlfriend and her children.

David Remley, aged 37, has been sentenced to four consecutive terms of 15 years to life following his conviction on charges including three counts of child kidnapping, one count of aggravated kidnapping, domestic violence, and other related offenses. His arrest took place in August 2024 in Nevada, where he was found with his ex-girlfriend, 28-year-old Brittany Deal, and her three children, who were just 9, 5, and 2 years old at the time.

Despite having a protective order against him, Remley repeatedly violated such restrictions. Brittany Deal revealed in an interview with KUTV, a local CBS affiliate, that her attempts to end the relationship often resulted in violent confrontations.

According to Deal, a warrant for Remley’s arrest was issued on August 14, 2024, following a physical altercation. An affidavit cited by KUTV mentioned the severity of Deal’s injuries and noted Remley’s history of domestic violence and protective order violations. It was recommended that Remley be held without bail to ensure Deal’s 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 home and insisted they were going on a road trip. He drove for eight hours without making any stops, with no luggage or supplies in the car, although chains were later discovered.

Authorities located Remley, Deal, and her children unharmed in Nevada on the same day. Remley was promptly detained. Deal later informed authorities that during their captivity, Remley ominously mentioned 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.