Lori Vallow Daybell, Convicted of Killing Her Children, Found Guilty in Charles Vallow’s Murder

Lori Vallow Daybell, once known as a seemingly devoted mother and wife, is now infamous for a chilling series of murders that stunned the nation. Her story—a twisted saga of apocalyptic beliefs, conspiracy, and a trail of death—has captivated headlines since 2019. On April 22, 2025, Lori was found guilty of conspiring to murder her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, in Arizona. This verdict adds another layer of conviction to a woman already serving life in prison for the murders of her two children and a romantic rival.

Here’s a breakdown of what happened to Lori Vallow Daybell, how her disturbing case unfolded, and what justice has finally caught up with.

Who Is Lori Vallow Daybell?

Lori Vallow was born in 1973 and grew up in California. Over the years, she was married five times, with each relationship more entangled than the last. Her journey from suburban mother to convicted murderer began when she became increasingly involved in extreme doomsday religious beliefs, fueled by her association with Chad Daybell, a self-published author of end-times novels.

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Together, Lori and Chad believed in a twisted spiritual system, identifying certain people—sometimes including their own family members—as being possessed by evil spirits or “dark” energies. Those beliefs eventually fueled one of the most horrifying true crime cases in recent history.

Charles Vallow’s Death: The First Known Homicide

In July 2019, Lori’s fourth husband, Charles Vallow, was shot and killed by Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, at Lori’s home in Chandler, Arizona. At the time, Cox claimed it was self-defense, stating that Vallow had become violent.

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But in April 2025, jurors in Arizona found Lori guilty of conspiring to kill Charles, believing that she staged the scene and manipulated her brother to execute a calculated murder.

“This was a staged murder scene,” said prosecutor Treena Kay, citing forensic evidence that Charles was already on the ground when the second shot was fired.

What Was Lori’s Defense?

Representing herself in court, Lori maintained that Charles’ killing was justified, alleging he had threatened her and her daughter, Tylee Ryan. She claimed that when Charles arrived to pick up their son J.J., a fight broke out, during which Tylee tried to protect her with a baseball bat. She alleged Alex Cox intervened only to protect them.

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But prosecutors dismantled this narrative, asserting that Lori’s motive was financial gain and religious obsession. Charles had filed for divorce and reportedly altered his $1 million life insurance policy, fearing Lori was plotting against him.

The Idaho Murders: The Deaths of J.J. and Tylee

The murder of Charles Vallow was just the beginning. In September 2019, Lori’s children Joshua “J.J.” Vallow (7) and Tylee Ryan (16) vanished. Lori did not report them missing—and in fact, lied repeatedly about their whereabouts.

After months of searching, their remains were discovered in June 2020 buried on Chad Daybell’s property in Rexburg, Idaho. The grim discovery revealed that Tylee had been burned and dismembered, and J.J. had been bound and suffocated.

Lori and Chad were later charged with and convicted of murdering the children.

The Death of Tammy Daybell

Adding to the body count was Tammy Daybell, Chad’s first wife, who died under suspicious circumstances in October 2019, just two weeks before Chad married Lori. Originally believed to have died in her sleep, Tammy’s body was exhumed, and an autopsy revealed she died from asphyxiation.

Chad was convicted of Tammy’s murder along with the murders of J.J. and Tylee. In 2025, he was sentenced to death.

Lori’s Current Sentence and Ongoing Legal Fallout

Lori is already serving multiple life sentences in Idaho without the possibility of parole for the murders of her children and conspiracy in Tammy Daybell’s death.

The recent Arizona conviction for Charles Vallow’s murder adds another legal layer, reinforcing the premeditated and manipulative nature of her crimes.

With her latest conviction, Lori Vallow Daybell’s path of destruction—spanning across states and claiming multiple lives—has now been formally recognized in courtrooms across the country.

What’s Next for Lori Vallow Daybell?

Although she’s already serving life in prison, prosecutors in Arizona could still pursue a separate sentence for Charles Vallow’s murder. Whether this will extend her time behind bars or run concurrently remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, her story continues to be chronicled in true crime documentaries, books, and podcasts, including the acclaimed Amazon Prime documentary Sins of Our Mother, which helped bring global attention to the case.

Victims Remembered

Amid the media frenzy, it’s important to remember the innocent lives lost:

• Charles Vallow, a devoted father trying to protect his family
• Tylee Ryan, 16, a vibrant teen who never got to grow up
• J.J. Vallow, 7, a sweet, special-needs boy who loved school and friends
• Tammy Daybell, a loving wife and mother whose life was cut short

Their families continue to advocate for awareness and support for victims of domestic abuse, mental health crises, and religious extremism.