Lori Vallow’s life began like any other, but little did anyone know the tumultuous journey that lay ahead. Born in 1973 in San Bernardino, California, she seemed destined for a life of love and happiness. However, as the years unfolded, her path took a dark turn filled with marriages, divorces, and a growing fascination with apocalyptic beliefs.
After graduating high school, Lori found herself married for the first time at the young age of 19 to her high school boyfriend, Nelson Yanes. But the marriage was short-lived, and they soon divorced. Determined to find love again, she entered into her second marriage with William Lagioia in 1995. Together, they had a son named Colby Ryan, born in 1996. However, the marriage faced its challenges, and just two years later, Lori and William divorced.
In 2001, Lori found love once more when she married Joseph Ryan, her third husband. Joseph not only became a loving partner to Lori but also legally adopted her son, Colby. In 2002, they welcomed a daughter named Tylee Ryan into their lives. But despite the appearance of a stable family, the marriage couldn’t withstand the strain, and after three years, Lori and Joseph divorced in 2004.
However, Lori’s journey to find lasting love wasn’t over yet. In February 2006, she tied the knot for the fourth time, this time with Charles Vallow. The couple wed in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Charles embraced both Lori and her children, becoming a doting stepfather to Colby and Tylee.
Charles had been a lifelong Catholic, but he converted to Mormonism when he married Lori, reflecting her faith. He had two sons from a previous marriage, and in 2013, Charles and Lori decided to adopt his young grandson, Joshua Jaxon “JJ” Vallow, whose parents had passed away.
The blended family lived together harmoniously until late 2014, when they decided to embark on a new adventure. The Vallow family moved to the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii, where they sought a fresh start. For over a year, they lived a seemingly peaceful life on the picturesque island, basking in the sun and enjoying the island’s serenity.
Around 2015, Lori became increasingly drawn to the end-times religious writings of an author named Chad Daybell. She avidly read his books and became enamored with his teachings about the imminent apocalypse. Chad’s words resonated deeply with her, igniting a newfound sense of purpose and belonging.
In 2016, the Vallow family moved back to Arizona, and it was during this time that Lori’s interest in Chad Daybell’s teachings transformed into an all-consuming obsession. The Vallow family’s return to their home state marked a turning point in Lori’s life, as her bond with Chad grew stronger.
Then, in the fall of 2018, Lori and Chad finally met in person for the first time at a religious conference. The connection between them was immediate and undeniable. Chad regaled Lori with tales of their supposed past lives together, weaving a narrative of divine destiny. He claimed they were meant to fulfill a sacred mission together, guided by divine providence.
Lori, completely enthralled by Chad’s revelations, became fixated on his teachings. Her beliefs about the impending apocalypse became more entrenched, and she began to distance herself from friends and family who questioned her newfound convictions.
Her family members, especially her husband Charles, grew increasingly concerned about Lori’s deteriorating mental state and her immersion in Chad’s doomsday ideology. They watched helplessly as the woman they once knew and loved seemed to slip away, replaced by a person they could no longer recognize.
Little did anyone know that this was just the beginning of a chilling tale of obsession, manipulation, and the disappearance of two innocent children.
Mysterious Deaths and Disappearances
As Lori Vallow’s fascination with Chad Daybell’s apocalyptic beliefs intensified, her life took a dark and ominous turn. The once-loving mother seemed to be consumed by her newfound convictions, and her family and friends watched in concern as she became entangled in a web of mysterious deaths and unexplained disappearances.
Lori’s marriage to Charles Vallow began to suffer as her devotion to Chad Daybell deepened. Her beliefs in the imminent end times and the need to fulfill a divine mission put a strain on their relationship. Charles noticed a drastic change in Lori’s behavior and the unsettling intensity with which she embraced Chad’s teachings.
He became increasingly worried about her mental state and the safety of their children, especially JJ, whom he had adopted. Lori’s obsession with the idea that she was chosen for a higher purpose seemed to overshadow everything else in her life, including her responsibilities as a mother.
As the days passed, Charles found himself in a difficult position. He loved Lori, but he could no longer ignore the growing unease in his heart. He saw the woman he married drift further away, replaced by someone he couldn’t understand or reach. Desperate to protect his children and salvage their family, Charles took steps to address his concerns.
One day in July 2019, tensions reached a boiling point at the Vallow home in Chandler, Arizona. An argument erupted between Lori, Charles, and Lori’s brother, Alex Cox. The situation quickly escalated, and in the ensuing chaos, Alex claimed self-defense as he shot Charles twice in the chest.
The tragedy shocked the family, and Lori’s life took an even darker turn. With Charles gone, she seemed to lean even more heavily on Chad Daybell’s teachings, finding solace in the belief that she was fulfilling a divine mission.
While Alex claimed self-defense, the account of what happened that day remained mired in controversy. Some family members questioned the legitimacy of Alex’s claim, suspecting there might be more to the story than what he had revealed.
In a strange twist of fate, just a few months later, tragedy struck the Daybell family as well. On October 9, 2019, Chad’s wife, Tammy, reported a disturbing incident to the police. She claimed that a masked man had shot at her with a defective paintball gun while she was in the driveway of their Idaho home.
A mere ten days after this incident, Tammy was found dead in her house. Her sudden passing was initially attributed to natural causes, but suspicions began to arise when Chad declined to have an autopsy performed. As questions swirled around her death, some family members found it hard to believe that such a vibrant and healthy woman could die so unexpectedly.
Within just two weeks of Tammy’s passing, Lori and Chad married on November 5, 2019, in Hawaii. Their whirlwind romance and hasty marriage raised eyebrows, especially given the recent deaths of both Charles and Tammy.
As the newlyweds returned to Idaho, the dark cloud of mystery continued to hang over them. Shortly after their marriage, Lori’s two children, 7-year-old JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, were last seen alive.
Concerned family members repeatedly asked Lori about the whereabouts of the children, but she provided evasive and unconvincing answers. She refused to cooperate with law enforcement and dismissed their concerns, further deepening the suspicion surrounding her.
Despite the mounting pressure and pleas for answers, Lori seemed unfazed. She appeared to have embraced her new identity as a chosen prophet in Chad Daybell’s vision, seemingly willing to sacrifice anything for her newfound belief in the impending apocalypse.
As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, the whereabouts of JJ and Tylee remained a haunting mystery. Family members grew increasingly desperate to find them, but Lori and Chad remained tight-lipped about their fate.
The nation became captivated by the story of the missing children, with headlines and news reports spreading like wildfire. The case became a true-crime sensation, with armchair detectives and concerned citizens alike fervently searching for any clues that could lead to the children’s discovery.
But the truth behind the disappearances was far more chilling than anyone could have imagined. The tale of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell was about to take an even darker turn, leading to a shocking revelation that would send shockwaves through the nation and lead to a reckoning of justice. In Part 3, we will delve deeper into the harrowing discovery and the terrifying reality that lay hidden beneath the surface. The chilling conclusion of this tragic tale would unveil the horrifying fate of JJ and Tylee, leaving the nation in disbelief and seeking answers to the unfathomable.
The Horrifying Discovery
As the nation anxiously awaited answers, the search for 7-year-old JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan intensified. Family members, law enforcement agencies, and concerned citizens tirelessly combed through leads, hoping to bring the children home safely. However, the harrowing truth that lay hidden beneath the surface was far more chilling and disturbing than anyone could have anticipated.
In June 2020, Idaho police obtained a warrant to search the Salem, Idaho, home of Chad Daybell, based on mounting evidence related to the disappearances of JJ and Tylee. Detectives began scanning Chad’s large, rural property using ground-penetrating radar, searching for any signs of the missing children.
As the search progressed, a grim secret was unearthed in Chad’s backyard. Detectives located two areas of disturbed soil near some trees and what appeared to be a pet cemetery. The discovery sent shockwaves through the community, and fears of the worst possible outcome began to surface.
On June 9th, investigators began the delicate process of excavation. The first shallow grave, located under a round of sod, contained the remains of 17-year-old Tylee Ryan. She had been dismembered and burned, with only part of her skull and torso initially recovered. The discovery sent shockwaves through the community, and fears of the worst possible outcome began to surface.
Several feet away, what was believed to be a pet gravesite was excavated, revealing the body of 7-year-old JJ Vallow. He was found wrapped in plastic bags with duct tape covering his mouth, hands, and wrists. The heartbreaking revelation left the nation in mourning and disbelief.
Autopsies later confirmed the remains belonged to Tylee and JJ, who had been missing for nine agonizing months. Their causes of death were ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma for JJ and undetermined means for Tylee.
The backyard burial site, just 80 yards away from Chad Daybell’s bedroom, was a chilling indication that he was somehow involved in the deaths and concealment of their bodies.
With the devastating discovery, the focus turned to Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell as suspects in the children’s murders. The nation was left in shock and horror as the details of the case were laid bare during their joint trial.
In May 2021, a grand jury indicted Lori on additional serious charges, including conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of her two children, as well as Chad’s previous wife, Tammy Daybell. Chad was also charged in relation to the crimes. Lori initially pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The highly anticipated trial finally began in Idaho in early April 2023. Over several weeks, prosecutors depicted Lori as a lying, scheming mother who became obsessed with bizarre doomsday beliefs, leading her to murder the people closest to her. Disturbing evidence was presented, including graphic photos of the exhumation and autopsy results of the victims.
On May 12, 2023, after hearing all the evidence and testimony, an Idaho jury unanimously found Lori Vallow Daybell guilty on all counts—two counts of first-degree murder, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, and two counts of conspiracy to commit destruction or alteration of evidence.
On June 7, 2023, Lori returned to court for her sentencing hearing. The judge condemned Lori’s horrendous actions, saying she had inflicted unfathomable harm on her vulnerable, innocent children. He criticized her for showing no remorse or accountability. Lori was sentenced to the maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
JJ’s grandparents, Kay and Larry Woodcock, gave emotional victim impact statements, lamenting that their beloved grandson was callously betrayed, murdered, and discarded by his own mother. Tylee’s relatives also gave statements mourning her tragic and untimely death. With Lori’s sentencing, long-awaited justice was finally served for the victims’ families.
Meanwhile, Chad Daybell still awaits his trial for his alleged role in the shocking crimes. The chilling tale of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell left the nation in disbelief and seeking answers to the unfathomable. The horrifying fate of JJ and Tylee serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked fanaticism and the devastating impact it can have on innocent lives. The nation will forever remember the tragic saga of Lori Vallow and the young lives lost to darkness and delusion. The harrowing story stands as a cautionary tale, urging us to be vigilant against the allure of dangerous ideologies and to protect the most vulnerable among us.
Deep Lore 