Lori Vallow Daybell: Everything to know about the “doomsday mom” found guilty of murdering 3 in doomsday plot

Lori Vallow Daybell’s story is marked by troubling events and legal battles that have captured the attention of many across the nation. Known in the media as the “Doomsday Mom,” Lori Vallow’s case involves accusations of murder, conspiracy, and bizarre doomsday beliefs that led to the tragic deaths of her two children and other family members.

Who is Lori Vallow Daybell?

Lori Vallow Daybell is a woman convicted of several serious crimes, including the murder of her two children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and conspiring to murder her husband Chad Daybell’s previous wife, Tammy Daybell. Her case is notorious for its connections to doomsday beliefs and claims of “zombie” spirits.

What did Lori Vallow Daybell do?

She was convicted of multiple charges, including the murders of her children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of her husband Chad’s previous wife, Tammy Daybell. The case involved allegations of doomsday cult beliefs and plans to remove any obstacles to their relationship.

Who were JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan?

Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Lori Vallow.
Source: Tylee Ryan/ Instagram

JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan were Lori Vallow Daybell’s children, whose tragic deaths were central to the criminal cases against Lori. Both children were last seen alive in September 2019, and their remains were found in June 2020 on Chad Daybell’s property in Idaho.

Who is Chad Daybell?

Prosecutors in Idaho say they will seek the death penalty against Chad Daybell in connection with the deaths of Lori Daybell’s two youngest children and Chad Daybell’s previous wife last year.
Source: Idaho post/Association Press

Chad Daybell is Lori Vallow Daybell’s fifth husband, known for his self-published doomsday books. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death for his role in the deaths of the children and his former wife, Tammy.

What happened to Charles Vallow?

On January 31, 2019, Charles Vallow is seen on police bodycam video telling officers his wife had become “unhinged.”
Source: Gilbert Police Department

Charles Vallow was Lori’s fourth husband, who was shot and killed by her brother, Alex Cox, in July 2019. Lori and Cox claimed the shooting was in self-defense. Charles had filed for divorce from Lori, citing her extreme religious beliefs and threats against his life.

Who was Tammy Daybell?

Chad and Tammy Daybell
Source: Emma Murray

Tammy Daybell was Chad Daybell’s previous wife, who died under suspicious circumstances in October 2019, just weeks before Chad married Lori. Initially reported as natural causes, her death was later deemed suspicious, and her body was exhumed for further investigation.

What role did Alex Cox play?

Alex Cox was Lori’s brother, involved in the shooting death of Charles Vallow and linked to other suspicious activities before his death from natural causes in December 2019. He was a central figure in the allegations against Lori, accused of aiding her in her criminal activities.

Who are Kay and Larry Woodcock?

Kay and Larry Woodcock are the grandparents of JJ Vallow. They were instrumental in raising alarms about the safety of JJ and Tylee, which eventually led to the discovery of the children’s deaths.

Who is Brandon Boudreaux?

Brandon Boudreaux is the ex-husband of Lori’s niece, who survived an alleged murder attempt that prosecutors say was connected to Lori and her brother, Alex Cox. He was shot at but not injured in the incident.

What were the motives behind Lori Vallow Daybell’s actions?

The motives behind Lori Vallow Daybell’s actions were reportedly influenced by a combination of financial gain, power, and a distorted belief system involving apocalyptic prophecies and spiritual warfare. These beliefs justified their actions in their minds, leading to tragic outcomes.

Recent legal developments in Lori Vallow Daybell’s case

Lori Vallow Daybell appears in court during her murder trial in Idaho.
Source: Association Press

Lori Vallow Daybell’s legal journey has been complex and widely followed. After a series of investigations, she was found guilty of multiple severe charges. Here’s a simplified overview of her legal proceedings and recent happenings:

Convictions and sentences

In May 2023, Lori Vallow Daybell was convicted of murdering her two children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and conspiring to murder her husband Chad Daybell’s previous wife, Tammy Daybell. An Idaho jury determined her fate after extensive deliberations, leading to her receiving multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole. These convictions came as a result of Lori’s involvement in a bizarre case that combined elements of doomsday prophecies with heinous crimes.

Ongoing legal challenges

Lori Vallow appears in court in Lihue, Hawaii on . A judge ruled that bail will remain at $5 million for Vallow, also known as Lori Daybell, who was arrested in Hawaii over the disappearance of her two Idaho children Lihue, USA – 25 Feb 2020.
Source: Shutterstock

Despite her life sentence, Lori’s legal challenges are far from over. She faces additional charges in Arizona related to other alleged conspiracies and attempts at further murders, including the planned murder of her niece’s ex-husband. These proceedings have added layers to an already complicated legal profile. As of the latest updates, her trial in Arizona has been delayed to February 2025, providing her defense team more time to review a vast amount of evidence presented by the prosecution.

Public and media reaction

The public and media have closely watched Lori Vallow Daybell’s trials, often resulting in a circus-like atmosphere due to the sensational nature of the accusations against her. Her actions and the subsequent legal proceedings have sparked widespread discussion about the influence of extremist beliefs on personal actions and the justice system’s role in addressing such severe crimes.

FAQs

What did Lori Vallow Daybell do? Lori was involved in the deaths of her two children and others as part of a belief in doomsday prophecies.

What crimes was Lori Vallow Daybell convicted of? Lori Vallow Daybell was convicted of the murders of her two children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and conspiracy to murder in the death of Tammy Daybell​

How did Lori Vallow Daybell meet Chad Daybell? Lori met Chad at a religious conference in 2018. Their shared apocalyptic beliefs quickly bonded them.

Why is Lori Vallow Daybell famous? Lori gained notoriety due to the shocking nature of her crimes and the media coverage of her trials.

What is Lori Vallow Daybell’s sentence? Lori was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for her crimes.

What is the status of Lori Vallow Daybell’s legal proceedings? Lori is currently serving life sentences for murder and conspiracy, with further trials pending for additional charges​