The disturbing and twisted case of Lori Vallow Daybell has taken yet another dark turn. Known across the United States and beyond as the “doomsday cult mom,” Vallow Daybell has now been found guilty of conspiring to murder her fourth husband, Charles Vallow.
This verdict adds another gruesome chapter to a long saga of religious extremism, manipulation, and murder. Vallow Daybell is already serving multiple life sentences for the killings of her two children and for conspiring in the death of Chad Daybell’s former wife. With this new verdict, the depth of her involvement in a wide-ranging plot of killings fueled by delusional religious beliefs becomes even more apparent.
A Premeditated Plot to Remove an ‘Obstacle’
The murder of Charles Vallow in July 2019 was the earliest known killing in the web of violence that eventually became tied to Lori Vallow Daybell and her new husband, Chad Daybell. At the time of his death, Charles Vallow had become increasingly concerned about his wife’s disturbing behavior and religious beliefs.
He had begun to speak openly about her obsession with apocalyptic ideologies and her claims to be a goddess destined to help usher in the end times. Just months before his death, Charles filed for divorce, citing fears for his life and detailing Lori’s threats and erratic behavior.
According to the prosecution, Lori Vallow Daybell conspired with her brother, Alex Cox, to murder Charles. The motive was financial and ideological. Charles had a $1 million life insurance policy, and Lori stood to benefit significantly from his death. Furthermore, by eliminating Charles, she would remove a major “obstacle” to her relationship with Chad Daybell, a religious author and self-proclaimed prophet.
During the trial, prosecutors presented text messages and recorded conversations that demonstrated a clear, calculated plan to kill Charles. Evidence showed that Alex Cox waited nearly 47 minutes before calling emergency services after shooting Charles. During that time, he allegedly staged the scene to make it appear as self-defense.
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A baseball bat was found next to Charles’ body, but there was a lack of physical evidence suggesting he had ever used it to threaten anyone. This delay, coupled with the staged elements of the crime scene, pointed to a premeditated act rather than a spontaneous act of self-defense.
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The court heard further damning evidence in the form of Lori’s own words. A recorded phone call with the life insurance company revealed her claiming to be the beneficiary of the policy. Her casual demeanor and insistence that the shooting had been an “accident” added to the prosecution’s argument that Lori was deeply involved in orchestrating her husband’s death.
Doomsday Delusions and a Trail of Death
The case against Lori Vallow Daybell is unique in the annals of American criminal history, not only because of the number of victims involved but also because of the bizarre religious beliefs that served as a backdrop to these events. After meeting Chad Daybell at a religious conference in 2018, Lori’s descent into religious extremism accelerated.
Chad, who wrote books on near-death experiences and the end of the world, convinced Lori that they were spiritual warriors tasked with preparing the Earth for the second coming of Christ.
According to testimony, Lori began labeling people around her — including her children and spouses — as “dark spirits” or “zombies” whose bodies had been possessed by evil.
Once labeled as such, these individuals were believed to be beyond salvation and, in some cases, needed to die so their spirits could be freed. This belief system provided a chilling justification for the murders that followed.
In September 2019, just two months after Charles Vallow’s death, Lori’s children — 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 8-year-old JJ Vallow — disappeared. Their remains were discovered nine months later, buried on Chad Daybell’s Idaho property.
Both had been brutally murdered. JJ had been wrapped in plastic and duct tape, and Tylee’s remains were so badly burned and dismembered that a cause of death could not be determined.
The trail of death didn’t stop there. In October 2019, Tammy Daybell — Chad’s wife — died suddenly in her sleep. Though her death was initially deemed natural, her body was later exhumed, and a second autopsy revealed that she had been asphyxiated. By November of that year, Lori and Chad were married.
In 2021, both were charged with multiple counts, including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Lori was tried first and was found guilty in 2023. Chad’s trial concluded in May 2024, ending with a death sentence.
Justice Delayed, Not Denied
The recent Arizona trial regarding Charles Vallow’s murder represents yet another opportunity for justice in a case filled with delays, denials, and complications. Although Lori is already serving three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, the verdict in her fourth husband’s murder serves an important symbolic and legal function.
It acknowledges the pain and loss suffered by Charles’ family and recognizes his death as part of the larger criminal enterprise orchestrated by Lori and Chad.
During the trial, Lori represented herself, an unusual but not unheard-of decision in criminal cases. Her courtroom demeanor was marked by defiance and detachment. In her 20-minute closing argument, she characterized the killing of Charles as a “tragic family event” and claimed he had been the aggressor, chasing her with a baseball bat.
She insisted her brother Alex acted in defense of her and their family. However, this narrative crumbled under the weight of forensic evidence, expert testimony, and damning communications between Lori and her co-conspirators.
Her brother, Alex Cox, who carried out the actual shooting, died mysteriously in December 2019. The cause of death was ruled to be a pulmonary embolism, but the suspicious timing and his role in multiple murders continue to raise questions.
During the recent trial, another of Lori’s brothers, Adam Cox, testified against her, stating that he had “no doubt” Lori and Alex were responsible for Charles’ death. The jury took just three hours over two days to reach a guilty verdict. This quick deliberation underscored the strength of the evidence presented and the clarity of the prosecution’s case.
Looking ahead, Lori Vallow Daybell is set to face trial again in June, this time for allegedly conspiring to murder Brandon Boudreaux, the ex-husband of her niece. Boudreaux survived a drive-by shooting in October 2019, just weeks after Tammy Daybell’s death. The shooter was reportedly driving Charles Vallow’s vehicle, further linking Lori to the attempted murder.
The tragic story of Lori Vallow Daybell is one that continues to unfold, revealing deeper layers of manipulation, delusion, and violence. It is a grim reminder of how dangerous belief systems can become when paired with charismatic leadership and a willingness to eliminate those who stand in the way.
Though many of the key figures in this horrific narrative are either dead or behind bars, the damage they inflicted remains. Families have been shattered, children are gone, and the ripple effects of Lori and Chad Daybell’s twisted ideology are still being felt. As more trials proceed and additional truths come to light, one can only hope that the remaining victims find some measure of justice and closure.