Lori Vallow Daybell Murders: The Case Behind the ‘Doomsday Mom’

Lori Vallow Daybell was convicted in the deaths of her two children and a conspiracy to kill her husband’s first wife. Later convictions in Arizona added two more life sentences, bringing a sprawling criminal case across multiple states to another turning point.

Lori Vallow Daybell became the focus of national attention after her two youngest children disappeared in 2019. The investigation eventually uncovered a series of deaths involving people close to her and her fifth husband, Chad Daybell, whose apocalyptic religious beliefs became a central issue in the prosecution’s case.

Vallow Daybell was convicted in Idaho in 2023 and sentenced to life in prison without parole. In 2025, she was convicted in Arizona of conspiring to murder her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, and her niece’s former husband, Brandon Boudreaux. She received two additional life sentences.

The Disappearance of Tylee Ryan and Joshua “JJ” Vallow
Vallow Daybell’s daughter, Tylee Ryan, 16, was last seen in September 2019. Her adopted son, Joshua “JJ” Vallow, who was 7, was last seen later that month.

Relatives became increasingly concerned when they could not get answers about the children’s whereabouts. Authorities launched an investigation, but Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell initially failed to provide a credible explanation for where the children were.

Investigators eventually located the couple in Hawaii in early 2020. They were ordered to produce the children, but the search continued for months.

In June 2020, investigators discovered the children’s remains buried on Chad Daybell’s property in Idaho. The discovery transformed a missing-person investigation into a homicide case.

Three Deaths at the Center of the Idaho Trial
Prosecutors alleged that Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell embraced extreme religious beliefs involving evil spirits and an impending apocalypse. According to the prosecution, people close to them were labeled as possessed, and those beliefs became part of the justification for violence.

The Idaho case involved the deaths of Tylee and JJ, as well as Tammy Daybell, Chad’s first wife, who died in October 2019.

Vallow Daybell was convicted in May 2023 of the murders of her two children and conspiracy to commit murder in Tammy Daybell’s death. She was also convicted of grand theft related to Social Security benefits.

In July 2023, she received multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Chad Daybell was tried separately. In May 2024, a jury found him guilty of the murders of Tylee, JJ and Tammy, along with related charges. He was sentenced to death in June 2024.

The Death of Charles Vallow
The case expanded beyond Idaho to Arizona, where Vallow Daybell faced charges related to the July 2019 death of her estranged husband, Charles Vallow.

Charles was fatally shot by Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, at her home in Chandler, Arizona. Cox claimed he acted in self-defense and was not charged before his death later that year.

Prosecutors alleged that Vallow Daybell conspired with Cox to kill Charles as their marriage deteriorated. They argued that financial considerations and her relationship with Chad Daybell were part of the motive.

In April 2025, an Arizona jury found Vallow Daybell guilty of conspiring to murder Charles. She represented herself during the trial and denied responsibility.

A Second Arizona Murder Conspiracy
Vallow Daybell also faced a separate conspiracy case involving Brandon Boudreaux, the former husband of her niece.

In 2019, a gunman fired at Boudreaux as he drove near his home in Arizona. He survived the shooting. Investigators linked the incident to a vehicle associated with Charles Vallow.

Prosecutors alleged that Vallow Daybell conspired in the attempt on Boudreaux’s life. In 2025, she was convicted in the case as well.

In July 2025, she received life sentences for both Arizona conspiracy convictions, adding to the life sentences she was already serving in Idaho.

What Happened to the Other People Involved?
Alex Cox, who shot Charles Vallow, died in December 2019. Medical examiners attributed his death to a blood clot in his lungs.

Chad Daybell remains incarcerated while his death sentence and convictions are subject to legal appeals.

Vallow Daybell is serving her sentences at a women’s correctional facility in Idaho. She has challenged her Idaho convictions, arguing that legal and constitutional errors affected her trial. Prosecutors have urged the Idaho Supreme Court to uphold the verdict and sentence.

Where the Case Stands Today
The criminal proceedings have resulted in convictions and life sentences for Vallow Daybell, while Chad Daybell remains on death row. The cases attracted widespread attention because of the children’s disappearance, the multiple deaths and the role prosecutors said apocalyptic beliefs played in the crimes.

Although the trials have concluded, appeals and other legal proceedings may continue. Vallow Daybell maintains her innocence, but her convictions remain in place.

Sources: PEOPLE — Lori Vallow Daybell Murders: What to Know