In February 2020, Lori Vallow was taken into custody. This happened five months after anyone had last spotted her son, Joshua “JJ” Vallow, who was 7 years old at the time, and her daughter Tylee Ryan, aged 16. The police stated that she was unwilling to give a clear explanation regarding the whereabouts of either child.
In the following three years, it was established that she had committed the murder of her own children, leading to a sentence of life imprisonment with no chance of ever being released.
Over the course of a grueling, month-long trial where no witnesses were called in defense, I watched as Lori was convicted for her heinous crimes. She was found guilty of first-degree murder in the tragic deaths of JJ and Tylee, along with conspiracy to commit murder regarding the 2019 demise of Tammy Daybell, her late husband Chad Daybell’s former spouse. To add insult to injury, she was also convicted for grand theft by deception, as she continued to fraudulently collect Social Security benefits on behalf of her deceased children. This is a chilling reminder that justice has been served, even if it takes time and perseverance.
Chad has since been sentenced to death after being found guilty of murdering JJ, Tylee and Tammy.
On the 22nd of April, Lori was found guilty of plotting to murder her fourth spouse, Charles Vallow. Unfortunately, it was Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, who ended up fatally shooting him.
In the year 2023, prior to receiving a murder sentence, Lori expressed to the court that she had communicated with a realm believed to be spiritual, and claimed to have knowledge that Tylee and JJ were content in this otherworldly space.
She expressed, as reported by NBC News, “Jesus is aware of me and empathizes with me.” She continued, “I sympathize with those who are grieving my children and Tammy. Jesus Christ comprehends the reality of what transpired here; He knows that no one was murdered in this situation. Regrettably, accidents occur, suicides take place, and sometimes there are tragic side effects from medications.
More recently, she told Dateline‘s Keith Morrison that she and Chad expected to be exonerated.
“After I get exonerated,” she added, “maybe I’ll go on Dancing With the Stars, and you can come.”
In the 2023 trial, I chose not to testify on my behalf, yet harrowing evidence was presented that provided insight into the fate of my children.
In June 2020, authorities declared that JJ and Tylee had passed away based on the discovery of their remains buried in Chad’s house backyard, located in Fremont County, Idaho. During the trial, Dr. Garth Warren, the Ada County Coroner, testified that the cause of JJ’s death was asphyxiation due to duct tape covering his mouth and a plastic bag being placed over his head. As for Tylee, her death was determined to be a homicide but the specific method remains undisclosed.
As Lori’s actions sparked widespread curiosity and examination, it remains challenging, if not impossible, to explain the transformation from an eccentric mother to a convicted murderer.
Skye Borgman, director of the 2022 Netflix documentary “Sins of Our Mother,” expressed to TopMob News before its release that it’s unclear if we’ll ever fully understand what drove Lori to commit such heinous acts. However, to come up with an explanation, we need to examine Lori from the perspectives of those who knew her most intimately.
Lori voiced doubt over the method used by others to understand her story, stating on Dateline in 2025: “Have I ever conversed with you in the last five years? So, how can you claim to grasp a person’s state of mind? How can you know anything substantial about them or their life as it truly is?
What those who knew Lori seemed to agree on was that meeting Chad changed everything.
Melanie Gibb, once a friend of Lori’s, explained to NBC News’ Dateline in 2020 following the identification of the children’s remains, “I viewed him as the controlling hand and her as the manipulated puppet on that hand.” She added, “They were like volatile fuel and a spark. A dangerous combination, but equally damaging to each other. In essence, they were each other’s perfect match, as they both had deceit within them.
What happened to Lori Vallow’s daughter Tylee Ryan and son JJ Vallow?
On September 8, 2019, Tylee was last spotted with JJ, during a family trip to Yellowstone National Park. This outing also included their mother and Lori’s brother Alex Cox. Notably, Cox had tragically shot Lori’s fourth husband, Charles Vallow, in self-defense, as he claimed, back in July of the same year. Regrettably, Cox passed away in December 2019 due to a pulmonary embolism.
As an over-the-moon fan, I can’t help but share this heartfelt plea: Last seen on Sept 23, 2019, at his cherished Idaho elementary school, my beloved idol, JJ, has mysteriously vanished. His loving mother, Lori, informed the school that they would be embarking on a unique homeschooling journey for their son, who battles autism. The Rexburg Police have graciously offered assistance in our desperate search, kindly providing snapshots from the family’s last enchanting vacation to aid in this quest. Let us unite and spread hope, as we eagerly await any news of JJ’s safe return.
As a dedicated follower, I’d like to share that in late November 2019, my grandparents on my father’s side, Larry Woodcock and Kay Woodcock, reported their grandchildren, JJ and Tylee, missing. This incident prompted Lori and Chad to depart from our town, eventually surfacing on the Hawaiian island of Kauai in January 2020. Despite this, they persisted in assuring everyone that JJ and Tylee were safe and sound.
Authorities said they suspected the children were in danger.
Initially, it was evident that something catastrophic had occurred with these children, and this became even more apparent as we delved deeper into the matter. Morrison from Dateline, who presented the 2021 podcast ‘Mommy Doomsday’ about the Vallow case, shared this sentiment with TopMob News. For a brief period, there was a glimmer of hope that these children might still be alive. Anyone who held them dear, including their families who were left behind, fervently wished for their well-being.
He went on to say, “It was also clear that things likely weren’t going to turn out well.
Following the confirmation of her niece and nephew’s remains on June 13, 2020, Lori’s sister, Summer Cox Shiflet – who had earlier supported Lori amidst skepticism – publicly acknowledged her mistake on Facebook, stating that she would continue to follow the ongoing investigation.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d express it as follows: “My dearest loved ones Tylee and JJ are truly invaluable in our family circle. Over the years, I’ve cherished them deeply, and words fall short when trying to articulate this profound affection. The void left by their absence is indescribable. We have a treasure trove of memories featuring Tylee and JJ that we relish and recount often.
We’d spent countless moments in prayer, holding on to the hope that they were safe. Regrettably, we now must confront this new reality, one that irrevocably changes our family forever.
Back in January 2020, authorities conducted a search at Chad’s residence in Salem, Idaho. During this search, over thirty objects were seized, such as computers, mobile devices, medications, and documents.
During a court hearing on June 10, 2020, Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood stated via Zoom that the manner of hiding one of the bodies was exceptionally disturbing, as reported by NBC News. The criminal complaint suggested that the remains had been in Chad’s yard for some time between September 22, 2019, and June 9, 2020.
Colby Ryan, Lori’s son from her second marriage, expressed that this entire ordeal is extremely challenging to East Idaho News in June 2021, following Chad’s decision to plead not guilty to murder alongside Lori. “We’ve all had to deal with it, but he’ll speak his piece regardless. He’ll likely lie about it. From the start, they’ve been dishonest, so there’s little one can do about it.
In August 2021, Chad’s children informed the show “48 Hours” that they thought their father hadn’t murdered anyone, including their mother Tammy. Emma Murray, one of his daughters, claimed that Chad had been set up; when asked for the identity of the person responsible, she stated, “I believe it was Lori and Alex who did it.
Yet by all accounts, Lori hadn’t uttered a word against Chad since their arrest.
In an interview with TopMob News in 2021, Morrison shared that according to her guards, she’s been reading books by Chad, writing him letters, and even dancing within her cell. Morrison added that she continues to hold onto the faith that she will soon be rescued and transported to heaven within a short period of time.
How Lori may have reached that conclusion is a complicated story.
What happened to Tammy Daybell?
For nearly three decades, Chad was married to Tammy, the mother of his five adult children, prior to his recent wedding to Lori. Tragically, Tammy passed away peacefully at her Salem home on October 19, 2019. Initially, her death was believed to be natural, but later, it was decided by the family not to conduct an autopsy.
But police opened an investigation, calling the 49-year-old’s death “suspicious.”
Initially, when local detectives arrived at the scene, they didn’t notice anything unusual, as Sheriff Len Humphries explained to EastIdahoNews.com in January 2020. However, things changed when Arizona authorities contacted his office. “There is a significant amount of worry for the children’s safety,” Humphries stated. “The information emerging from Arizona regarding multiple deaths is troubling.
On December 11, 2019, they unearthed my beloved Tammy’s remains. Then, on February 4, 2021, I held my breath as authorities declared that her autopsy was finally complete. The Utah Medical Examiner had compiled their findings and passed them along to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Humphries, the details within this report are currently being kept private since they form part of an active and on-going investigation. As more information comes to light, we will make it public accordingly.
Even though the formal report hadn’t been made public yet, Chad Daybell’s son, Garth, shared with CBS News’ 48 Hours in 2022 that investigators concluded Tammy’s death was due to asphyxiation. This was also confirmed during Lori’s trial by Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey A. Blake.
However, Mark Daybell pointed out that this doesn’t automatically imply their mother was smothered. He explained, “There are more facts we need to uncover.” Mark further stressed, “We don’t simply say our goodbyes to Chad and move on. There is still love, there is still a connection.
Following the discovery of Tylee and JJ’s remains in June 2020, Matt and Heather Daybell, Chad’s brother and sister-in-law, expressed their feelings to TopMob News, stating, “The events of the past nine months have been a heavy burden for our family—it has been one of the hardest things we’ve ever had to endure. Some members of our extended family are finding it difficult to accept that Chad might have been connected with something so gravely wrong.
The couple also expressed their ongoing prayers for Tammy and Chad’s grown-up kids and their partners. Due to the complex nature of this situation, our bond with them has weakened considerably. Consequently, we have been out of touch with them, as well as Chad, for several months now—we are unsure about the current status of his children at present.
As the family of our cherished Tammy, we wish to extend our sincere and profound sympathy to the families of Tylee and JJ. We feel your pain as you face the unimaginable and devastating loss. We too continue to grieve, and our grief will linger with us for many years. Please understand that our prayers will remain with you, offering support as you can now lay your dear Tylee and JJ to rest properly.
As events progress in the legal system,” they went on, “we hope that every one of our loved ones can find solace and believe that justice will be promptly delivered. We’d like to express our gratitude to the numerous law enforcement officers and FBI agents who have been working diligently throughout the investigations, as well as the public for their outpouring of affection and support towards our families. At this difficult time, we kindly request that our privacy be upheld as we continue to mourn Tammy, while the Woodcock and Ryan families also grapple with this incomprehensible tragedy.
Was Charles Vallow Murdered?
In April 2018, Joseph Ryan, who was Tylee’s father and Lori’s third husband, passed away due to a heart attack. The authorities decided to examine the circumstances surrounding his death in 2020 following the emergence of a recording from an October 2018 religious gathering. In this recording, it appears that Lori could be heard saying, “I had planned to kill him. I was going to take his life as the scriptures instructed.
According to East Idaho News, it appeared she was discussing Joseph. After a thorough investigation, the Phoenix Police concluded that Joseph’s death was not a criminal matter.
In the year 2006, Lori tied the knot with Charles Vallow, and together they welcomed a son named JJ into their family in 2014. It’s worth noting that Kay Woodcock is Charles’ sibling, which makes Charles biologically JJ’s great-uncle.
In February 2019, Charles initiated a divorce proceeding against Lori, citing in his petition that he had become progressively troubled by her actions since she joined an extreme offshoot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which concentrates on preparing for the approaching end times. This was filed in Arizona, their place of residence.
As per court documents acquired by Fox 10 Phoenix, Charles claimed Lori had warned him she would kill him if he obstructed her, and that significant events were imminent in July 2019, which she wouldn’t hinder from being prepared for. The document further states that “Lori believes she is receiving divine messages and visions to help her select and prepare those destined to survive the New Jerusalem after the Great War, as foretold in the Book of Revelations.
In addition, it’s mentioned in the documents that Charles claimed Lori had taken 2,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car points from his account and moved a total of $35,000 between their different bank accounts. This has left him concerned that she might be preparing to depart the state with JJ. Charles is requesting sole custody in this matter.
In March, the divorce petition was not upheld, and Charles’ child from a different relationship shared with Fox 10 that his father aimed to work on saving the marriage. Interestingly, this same son (who preferred to remain anonymous) assisted his father in relocating from Arizona to Texas with JJ during that same month.
Lori seemed to vanish without a trace, according to her son. He admitted he couldn’t say where she had been for approximately two months. Eventually, he concluded that it was best for his safety and JJ’s wellbeing to relocate, so he chose to settle in Houston.
Eventually, Charles brought JJ back to Arizona, where Lori and Tylee were residing at their home in Chandler. Tragically, it was here on July 11, 2019, that Charles, who was 63 years old, was fatally shot by Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, during a heated family dispute or argument. The local news headlines reported this unfortunate incident as a “family altercation” or “family quarrel.
In simpler terms, Alex explained to the 911 operator that he had an argument with his brother-in-law and acted in self-defense by firing a shot at him.
As Alex recounts, Charles and Lori were involved in a heated dispute, prompting him to step in due to concerns about Charles potentially attacking his sister. Suddenly, Tylee entered the scene, brandishing a bat supposedly to protect their mother. However, Charles seized the bat and struck Alex on the head with it. According to Alex, he then retreated to his room to retrieve a firearm. The ensuing events led to Charles being shot twice in the chest by Alex.
Initially, Alex informed the authorities that Lori departed with the children prior to him firing at Charles; however, Lori recounted to investigators that she heard the gunshots from the kitchen and subsequently stepped outside to check on the kids who were waiting in Charles’ leased car. Afterward, Lori drove away in this vehicle.
How did Lori Vallow meet Chad Daybell?
Lori was initially associated with Chad around late 2018 when they both featured on an episode of the Preparing a People Podcast Network’s show “Time to Warrior Up.” However, subsequent episodes featuring Chad and them together were later taken down. The East Idaho News reports that Preparing a People subsequently distanced itself from both Chad and Lori.
Chad, who tied the knot with Tammy back in 1990 at Utah, is known for penning several religious-themed book collections, such as the “Standing in Holy Places” series that includes books like “The Great Gathering” and “The Renewed Earth”.
Towards the close of August 2019, Lori relocated along with JJ and Tylee to Rexburg, Idaho. Her niece, Melani Boudreaux, who had been residing in Arizona, mentioned during an interview that she too shifted to Idaho in November of the same year.
What happened when Tylee and JJ disappeared?
An anonymous friend of Tylee’s from Arizona shared with the Boise Post Register in January 2020 that they had exchanged texts with Tylee on October 19, 2019, expressing missed feelings, and received a response from Tylee’s number on October 25 saying, “Hi. I miss you guys too… Love you.
As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but share my recent experience. A friend of mine, through the magic of Facebook Messenger, flashed a screenshot of some text that left me puzzled. It just didn’t resonate with the unique cadence and style I associate with Tylee.
According to the friend, while she resided here, she would always react promptly. However, after moving to Rexburg, there was a gradual reduction in her response speed. The friend mentioned that Tylee initially didn’t want to relocate to Idaho and had intended to stay at her family’s residence. Yet, Tylee eventually chose to move due to a strong protective instinct towards JJ, as he was her younger sibling.
A friend shared with the “Post Register” that Tylee had previously obtained her General Education Development (GED) certificate, explaining why she wasn’t enrolled in school in Idaho.
Starting from October 1, 2019, I took charge of a storage space located in Rexburg. Over the ensuing months, I made regular visits there, specifically nine times in total, with one additional visit the following month. This information is based on a thorough review of surveillance footage conducted by East Idaho News.
On the 9th of October, Tammy Daybell dialed 911 after a masked individual fired a paintball gun at her, leaving her puzzled about the motive behind it. Tragically, Tammy passed away on the 19th of October, and her funeral took place four days later on the 22nd.
Chad and Lori married on Nov. 5, 2019.
Based on the sequence of events as reported by authorities, it was on November 26 that the police visited the couple’s residence to perform a welfare check on JJ, following concerns expressed by his grandparents who had not been in contact with him for several months. The couple claimed that JJ was residing with friends in Arizona at the time.
By the next day, Chad and Lori had left their townhouse in Rexburg.
Officials found out that they had traveled to Hawaii on December 1st, with airline records showing there were only the two of them on board.
On December 12, 2019, Lori’s brother Alex passed away in Gilbert, Arizona at the age of 51. The autopsy results, released in May 2020, revealed that he had blood clots in his lungs due to underlying health issues and passed away from natural causes.
In a statement to East Idaho News, Alex Cox’s relatives – his wife, mother, sister, and Melani – expressed that malicious rumors about sinister plans and intrigue denied them time to mourn the passing of their spouse, child, sibling, and uncle. However, they find solace in the medical examiner’s conclusion that Alex Cox passed away due to natural causes.
Towards the end of that particular month, as the hunt for Tylee and JJ persisted, Melani’s former partner Brandon shared with Salt Lake City’s Fox 13: “For the past eleven years, I have invested my time with Lori and her late husband Charles. I’m not sure what happened to those children, but there are individuals who do know, and they’re choosing not to speak up… I hold a deep affection for them both. I wish them safety. They’re merely innocent beings who didn’t deserve to be entangled in any of this.
How did police catch Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell?
At the beginning of January 2020, Kay and Larry Woodcock, who are JJ’s grandparents, journeyed from their residence in Louisiana to Rexburg. They offered a $20,000 reward for any information that could help locate the children and provide answers about their whereabouts.
Larry stated that these children, who are both quite bright, are incredibly lovely. He expressed a heartfelt wish for their safe return to our family. He clarified that they won’t be using the term ‘adoption.’ They don’t want to, they can’t, and they believe strongly that these kids are still out there, living.
At that point, the Woodcocks were also unaware of the whereabouts of Chad and Lori, as they had not been found in Hawaii yet.
Charles’ son expressed deep concern, saying to Fox 10, “I’m extremely worried about JJ, Tylee, and everyone connected with them. I’m worried about the safety of my family as well.
On January 10, 2020, Matt Daybell, Chad’s brother, publicly asked him to help with the search efforts regarding their missing children, as he claimed they had last met at Tammy’s funeral.
I haven’t been in contact with Chad for a long time, ever since we were kids. Our family has kept a distance from him due to our disagreements over his religious beliefs and the books he’s published, including some of his own. We’ve been troubled by the recent developments over the past few months. We can only hope and pray that JJ and Tylee are safe.
The message went on: “We’re determined to uncover the truth, whatever it may be.” It’s important to note that my family and I are no more privy to information than what has been shared by the media. I humbly ask once more for Chad to collaborate with the inquiry, so this complex predicament can be brought to a resolution.
On January 25, 2020, the Kauai Police delivered a mandate to Lori, instructing her to present the children to either the police in Rexburg or the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare within five days. The document remains sealed due to its involvement with a minor’s welfare case.
The Jan. 30 deadline passed.
Journalists arrived in Hawaii seeking out Lori and Chad, and as the story gained nationwide attention, they flooded Idaho as well.
Following her disobedience with the court order, Lori was apprehended on February 20, 2020. Subsequently, she spent six days in a Hawaii detention center before being returned to Idaho, where she has remained imprisoned since then. (In June 2021, it was determined that she was unfit for trial and mandated her admission to a mental health institution, causing the court proceedings to be postponed for several months. During her arraignment in April 2022, Lori declined to submit her plea, resulting in a judge entering it on her behalf.)
In April 2020, the East Idaho News received a letter from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office to Fremont County prosecutors revealing that Chad and Lori were being investigated for alleged involvement in conspiracy, attempted murder, and murder related to Tammy Daybell’s death.
Lori’s son Colby Ryan expressed his pain to Morrison on Dateline’s episode that aired May 1, 2020, stating it was unbearable not knowing where JJ and Tylee were. He added that they had countless questions but couldn’t contact their mother or visit their home or siblings. He felt abandoned, likening the situation to being left out in the cold. Colby questioned how someone could keep their children hidden away, especially since that was the very reason Lori was currently in jail.
Prior to the confirmation of Tylee and JJ’s unfortunate demise, I myself had expressed a deep conviction that I would cross paths with them once more, as I shared with CBS 5.
She assured us that Lori would never intentionally harm her children. Although we don’t understand why she behaves as she does or where the kids might be, it’s hard to pass judgment since we don’t fully grasp her circumstances. All we can do is show love, provide support, and pray for everyone’s safety.
Melani expressed that Lori resembled more than just a second mother, an aunt, and a friend to her. She observed a significant amount of “criticism” and “deceit” in the way Lori was being depicted in public. “I’m unsure about the whereabouts of my cousins, JJ and Tylee, but I care deeply for all of them, and I believe Lori is making every effort to ensure their safety.
Brandon was given temporary custody of the kids due to Melani being under investigation for multiple felony charges in various locations, as stated in court records from Maricopa County. However, it’s important to note that she asserted Brandon took her children without her consent and clarified that he didn’t abandon them or make a choice to be apart from them.
But Melani’s new husband wasn’t so sure that Lori’s kids were safe.
In an unexpected turn of events, I was taken aback to learn that Chad and Lori have vanished, with a distressing implication that Lori’s children are nowhere to be found. The unsettling news continues as authorities resort to forcefully entering homes due to their inability to locate the missing kids.
Ian reported that he received a phone call from his own mother, who passed on the information that Melani’s former partner claimed that Melani and Lori were part of an apocalyptic group, with Chad leading the cult. The allegation also suggested that they had conspired to murder Brandon and had indeed killed Charles Vallow.
In response, Ian decided to discuss matters with the police and also found FBI agents present. At that moment, he stated, “I was ready to disclose all the information I had.
Moreover, it appears that the details I disclosed sparked a nationwide excitement or uproar.
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2025-04-23 20:52