heir defense strategies during the trial, and it is unclear if they will have any contact during their respective prison sentences.
The case of Lori Vallow Daybell, dubbed the “doomsday mom” case, has captivated the nation since the disappearance of her two children, Tylee Ryan and Joshua ”JJ” Vallow, in 2019. The children’s disappearance sparked a nationwide search, with Vallow Daybell and her husband Chad Daybell becoming the primary suspects.
Months later, in June 2020, the remains of Tylee and JJ were discovered buried on Chad Daybell’s property in Idaho. This grim discovery led to the arrest and subsequent trial of Lori Vallow Daybell.
During the trial, shocking details emerged about the couple’s extreme religious beliefs and their involvement in what witnesses described as a cult-like group. Testimony revealed that the couple believed in “zombies” and casting out “evil spirits.” Witnesses also recounted gruesome details of the children’s deaths and burials.
On Monday, July 31, 2023, Lori Vallow Daybell was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole, the maximum sentence, for the murders of Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow. She was also found guilty of conspiracy in their murders and the murder of her husband Chad’s first wife, Tammy Daybell. Additionally, she was convicted of grand theft related to the theft of Social Security payments for the children.
In her statement during the hearing, Vallow Daybell claimed to have communicated with the spirits of her murdered children and her deceased husband’s first wife, saying they were happy in the spirit world. She expressed no fear of death and described heaven as more wonderful than imaginable.
Prosecutor Rob Wood argued for the maximum sentence, stating that society needed to be protected from a defendant who was willing to murder her own children. Defense attorney John Thomas requested a fixed term of 20 years with an indeterminate term of life for all five counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Family members of the victims were also given the opportunity to provide victim impact statements. Emotions ran high as they expressed their grief and anger towards Vallow Daybell. Samantha Gwilliam, Tammy Daybell’s sister, called Vallow Daybell a “money-hungry, power-mongering monster” and blamed her for tearing their family apart. Kay Woodcock, JJ Vallow’s grandmother, wept as she described Vallow Daybell as a monster who showed no remorse for her actions.
Lori Vallow Daybell’s son, Colby Ryan, submitted a statement to be read into the record, expressing his desire for his siblings and father to be remembered for who they were, rather than just headlines. He described Tylee as sweet, kind, funny, and bold, and JJ as fun, sweet, silly, and smart.
The sentencing of Lori Vallow Daybell marks the end of a long and tragic chapter in this high-profile case. However, the legal proceedings are far from over. Vallow Daybell still faces separate charges in the death of her husband, Charles Vallow, and conspiracy charges related to the attempted shooting of Brandon Boudreaux, who was married to Vallow Daybell’s niece. Chad Daybell, her husband, is scheduled to be tried in April 2024 for first-degree murder and conspiracy charges in Idaho.
As the nation continues to grapple with the shocking details of this case, the sentencing of Lori Vallow Daybell serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of crime and the importance of justice for the victims and their families.Lori Vallow Daybell, the woman whose children’s disappearance in 2019 sparked a nationwide search before their bodies were found on her husband’s property, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. The sentencing comes after a weeks-long trial where Vallow Daybell was found guilty of the murders of her 16-year-old daughter Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, as well as the murder of her husband Chad’s first wife, Tammy Daybell.
During Monday’s hearing, Vallow Daybell elected to give a statement where she claimed to have communicated with the spirits of her murdered children and Tammy Daybell, describing them as busy and happy in the spirit world. Prosecutor Rob Wood had asked for the maximum sentence, stating that society needs to be protected from a defendant willing to murder her own children. Defense attorney John Thomas asked for a fixed term of 20 years.
Family members of the victims were also given the opportunity to provide victim impact statements. Samantha Gwilliam, Tammy Daybell’s sister, emotionally expressed her loss and questioned why Vallow Daybell planned such heinous acts. Kay Woodcock, JJ Vallow’s grandmother, called Vallow Daybell a “money-hungry, power-mongering monster” and stated that she would have given Vallow Daybell the $1 million from Vallow’s life insurance if she had let the children live.
Vallow Daybell’s son, Colby Ryan, submitted a statement to be read into the record, expressing that his siblings and father deserved more than to be just a spectacle or headline. The defense called no witnesses in the trial, and Vallow Daybell did not take the stand in her own defense.
The trial shed light on the extreme and apocalyptic religious beliefs of the couple, including beliefs in “zombies” and casting out “evil spirits.” The sentencing hearing was livestreamed, following a ruling by Judge Steven Boyce.
In addition to the charges related to the murders of her children and Tammy Daybell, Vallow Daybell also faces separate charges in the death of her husband, Charles Vallow, who was shot by her brother Alex Cox. Chad Daybell, Vallow Daybell’s husband, also faces first-degree murder and conspiracy charges in Idaho for the deaths of Tammy Daybell and the children. He waived his right to a speedy trial and is scheduled to be tried in April 2024, facing the death penalty.
Vallow Daybell’s sentencing in Idaho will be followed by extradition proceedings to Arizona, where she has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder in Charles Vallow’s death and conspiracy for the attempted shooting of Brandon Boudreaux, who was married to Vallow Daybell’s niece.
The case of Lori Vallow Daybell, often referred to as the “doomsday mom” case, has captivated the nation with its shocking details and tragic outcome. The sentencing of Vallow Daybell brings some closure to the families involved, but the trial of Chad Daybell still awaits, promising further revelations in this disturbing case.
Will Lori Vallow Daybell have any contact with her husband, Chad Daybell, while serving their respective prison sentences
Nous crimes, calling her a “money-hungry, power-mongering monster.” Kay Woodcock, JJ Vallow’s grandmother, tearfully described Vallow Daybell as a monster with no remorse.
Lori Vallow Daybell’s son, Colby Ryan, submitted a statement emphasizing the need to remember his siblings and father for who they were, beyond the headlines. He lovingly described Tylee as sweet, kind, funny, and bold, and JJ as fun, sweet, silly, and smart.
The sentencing of Lori Vallow Daybell brings a tragic chapter in this high-profile case to an end. However, the legal proceedings are far from over. Vallow Daybell still faces separate charges in the death of her husband, Charles Vallow, and conspiracy charges related to the attempted shooting of Brandon Boudreaux, who was married to Vallow Daybell’s niece. Chad Daybell, her husband, is scheduled to be tried in April 2024 for first-degree murder and conspiracy charges in Idaho.
As the nation continues to grapple with the shocking details of this case, the sentencing of Lori Vallow Daybell serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of crime and the importance of justice for the victims and their families. With her life sentence, Vallow Daybell will spend the rest of her days behind bars, facing the consequences of her actions. It remains unclear if she will have any contact with her husband during their respective prison sentences.
This verdict brings long-overdue justice for the tragic loss of innocent lives, and serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting and prioritizing the well-being of children. May the memory of JJ and Tylee live on, and may their story inspire change in our society to prevent similar atrocities from happening again.