In the chilling saga of Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell, a tale unfolds involving doomsday prophecies, cult-like beliefs, and a series of tragic murders. This article delves into the backgrounds of Lori Vallow, also known as Lori Daybell, and her husband Chad Daybell, exploring their apocalyptic worldview and the horrific crimes linked to them, including the attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux. We’ll examine how their fringe ideologies led to unimaginable acts, shedding light on one of the most disturbing cases in recent history.
The Doomsday Beliefs and Rise of a Dangerous Alliance
Lori Vallow Daybell, born Lori Norene Cox in 1973, was once a seemingly ordinary woman with a history of marriages and a devout affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). However, her life took a dark turn when she encountered Chad Daybell, a self-proclaimed apocalyptic author and publisher. Chad, who claimed to have visions of the future and multiple past lives, authored books prophesying the end of the world, with a specific doomsday date set for July 2020. His teachings deviated sharply from mainstream Mormonism, blending elements of reincarnation, zombie-like possessions, and a divine mission to prepare for the apocalypse.
Lori, influenced by Chad’s charisma, adopted these extreme beliefs, convinced she was a goddess destined to lead during the end times. Their relationship began as an affair while both were still married—Lori to Charles Vallow and Chad to Tammy Daybell. This alliance wasn’t just romantic; it was fueled by shared delusions where they classified people as “light” or “dark” beings, with the latter needing elimination. Doomsday preparations became their obsession, leading them to form a small sect described by media as a cult. Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, became deeply involved, acting as an enforcer in their twisted ideology.
The couple’s bond intensified after the suspicious deaths of their spouses. Charles Vallow was shot by Alex Cox in July 2019, ruled self-defense initially but later tied to conspiracy. Tammy Daybell died mysteriously in October 2019, initially deemed natural but later confirmed as homicide by asphyxiation. Just two weeks later, Lori and Chad married in Hawaii, marking the solidification of their dangerous partnership rooted in doomsday fanaticism.
The Murders, Disappearances, and Pursuit of Justice
Building on their apocalyptic convictions, the crimes escalated with the disappearances of Lori’s children, Tylee Ryan (16) and Joshua “J.J.” Vallow (7), in September 2019. Tylee was last seen during a family trip to Yellowstone National Park, while J.J. vanished from their Idaho home. Investigations revealed the children’s bodies buried on Chad’s property in Rexburg, Idaho, discovered in June 2020. Autopsies showed Tylee had been dismembered and burned, and J.J. suffocated, their deaths justified by Lori and Chad as necessary to free their souls from “dark” possessions.
The case expanded to include the attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux, ex-husband of Lori’s niece Melani Pawlowski, who was shot at in October 2019. Boudreaux survived and linked the attack to the family’s cult activities, believing it was an effort to silence him amid growing suspicions. Prosecutors argued these acts were not only driven by religious zeal but also greed, aiming to collect life insurance and Social Security benefits.
Law enforcement’s pursuit intensified when Lori and Chad fled to Hawaii, refusing to cooperate. Lori was arrested in February 2020 for child desertion, followed by Chad’s arrest after the bodies were found. Their trials, held separately, exposed the depth of their conspiracy. In 2023, Lori was convicted of murdering her children and Tammy Daybell, sentenced to life without parole. Chad faced a death sentence in 2024 for the same crimes. Lori’s subsequent Arizona trials in 2025 resulted in additional convictions for conspiring to murder Charles Vallow and attempting to kill Boudreaux, with her bizarrely representing herself in court.
- Key Motivations: A mix of doomsday ideology and financial gain.
- Role of Alex Cox: Suspected in multiple shootings, he died in December 2019 from natural causes, evading trial.
- Public Impact: The case highlighted dangers of fringe religious groups and prompted discussions on mental health in extremism.
The linear progression from ideological radicalization to calculated murders underscores how personal delusions can spiral into collective tragedy, connecting the couple’s beliefs directly to their heinous actions.
In summary, the story of Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell reveals a harrowing intersection of doomsday cults, familial betrayal, and cold-blooded murders, including those of innocent children and the attack on Brandon Boudreaux. Their convictions bring some justice, but the scars on survivors and society linger. This case serves as a stark warning about the perils of unchecked extremism, urging vigilance against manipulative ideologies that destroy lives under the guise of divine purpose.
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