In a case that has captured attention across multiple states, from Arizona to Idaho and Hawaii, the trial of Lori Vallow Daybell unfolds, revealing a bizarre and deadly conspiracy. Vallow Daybell faces charges of conspiracy to murder her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in 2019. Her conviction would add to her already heavy sentence: three life terms in Idaho for murdering her two youngest children and conspiring in the death of her lover’s wife. Prosecutors argue that Lori Vallow Daybell, with help from her brother and influenced by the apocalyptic beliefs of her partner, Chad Daybell, orchestrated this murder. Their intertwined fates and beliefs, along with the chilling actions that followed, paint a dark and twisted tale.
The Defendant: Lori Vallow Daybell
Lori Vallow Daybell is 51 years old, a mother of three, and a beautician by trade. Over the years, she has been married five times. Her first marriage ended quickly after she wed her high school sweetheart at the age of 19, followed by a second marriage in her early 20s, during which she had a son. Her third marriage to Joseph Ryan also ended after a few years, though it resulted in the birth of a daughter. Joseph Ryan later died of a suspected heart attack.
In 2019, a dramatic turn of events occurred when her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, was shot and killed by her brother. Shortly after, Vallow Daybell moved to Idaho with her daughter Tylee Ryan and her young son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, where Chad Daybell lived. In September of that year, her children disappeared. It was later revealed that Chad and his then-wife, Tammy Daybell, had sought to increase Tammy’s life insurance policy. Tammy Daybell suspiciously died the following month, and Lori married Chad just two weeks later. An investigation into Tammy’s death revealed asphyxiation as the cause, and the children’s bodies were discovered in 2020 buried on Chad Daybell’s property.
The Husband and Victim: Charles Vallow
Charles Vallow was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and became involved with Lori Vallow Daybell soon after her previous marriage ended. The two married in 2006, and later adopted JJ Vallow. However, by 2019, the marriage had deteriorated. Charles filed for divorce, citing Lori’s belief that she was a deity with a mission to usher in the biblical apocalypse.
While separated, Lori’s brother Alex Cox fatally shot Charles outside his home in Phoenix. Cox claimed self-defense, and he faced no charges before dying from a blood clot in his lungs months later.
The Convicted Husband: Chad Daybell
Chad Daybell, a 56-year-old author of apocalyptic fiction with ties to the Mormon church, married Tammy Daybell in 1990, and the couple had five children. In 2018, Chad met Lori at a conference and claimed they were previously married in multiple past lives. He described Lori as a “sexual goddess” destined to help save the world by their side. Together with a group of followers, they practiced what they called “energy work” to cast out supposed evil spirits from others.
In 2024, Chad Daybell was found guilty of murder in connection with the deaths of Tammy, JJ, and Tylee in Idaho. The jury’s swift conviction resulted in a death sentence for Chad.
The Brother: Alex Cox
Alex Cox was notably close to Lori Vallow Daybell, with friends characterizing him as her protector. His phone data was instrumental in connecting him to the deaths of the children, as GPS locations placed him at the burial site on Chad Daybell’s property. Before he died, Cox referred to himself as a “fall guy” once aware of Tammy Daybell’s body being exhumed.
The Witness: Kay Woodcock
Kay Woodcock, Lori’s sister-in-law and grandmother to JJ, was pivotal in raising alarms about the children’s welfare. In 2019, after being unable to contact JJ and upon cessation of visits and calls, she prompted police in Idaho to investigate. Her efforts resulted in a widespread search for JJ and Tylee, with public pleas for information and rewards for tips.
Charles Vallow and Kay adopted JJ, who was born with disabilities and autism, due to the inability of his biological parents to care for him. After Charles’s death, Kay Woodcock grew concerned about Lori’s willingness to care for JJ, especially fearing the child might have witnessed the violent death of his father.