BOISE, IDAHO: ‘Doomsday cult mom’ Lori Vallow was found guilty on May 12 of murdering her two children, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow, as well as conspiring to kill her fifth husband’s former wife, Tammy Daybell. In addition to the murder charges, she was also found guilty of grand theft. While the much-awaited guilty verdict finally arrived after six weeks of trial and seven hours of deliberation, it only marks the beginning of the end for Lori as justice is far from done with the occult-obsessed convicted killer.
Reports suggest that Lori, who is yet to receive her sentencing, is likely to face up to life in prison for the killings of JJ and Tylee. Meanwhile, she is also set to be extradited to Arizona after her sentencing to face murder charges for the killing of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow. “We are very pleased with the jury’s verdict, and we want to thank them, as well as the alternates, for their service over last six weeks during this trial,” prosecutors Rob Wood and Lindsey Blake said in a statement after the verdict.
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'Doomsday mom' Lori Vallow found GUILTY of killing 2 children and husband's first wife
What is the possible sentence Lori Vallow is facing?
Lori was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of grand theft by deception for the killings of 16-year-old daughter Tylee and seven-year-old son JJ as well as three counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder for the death of Tylee, JJ and Tammy. Lori's grand theft charged stemmed from collecting social security benefits that she was not entitled to, NBC News reported.
Lori can face anywhere between 10 years to life in prison for the conspiracy and murder convictions, as per People. She can also face up to 14 years in prison for the theft conviction, the outlet noted. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reported that she will be facing life in prison as prosecutors ruled out the death penalty sentence in March. After reading Lori's verdict, Judge Steven Boyce said that it will take around three months to schedule the former's sentencing date.
Meanwhile, she is also set to be extradited to Arizona after her Idaho sentencing to face one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in relation to the July 2019 death of her ex-husband, Charles. According to a 2021 indictment, Lori “agreed with Alexander Cox that at least one of them or another would engage in conduct constituting the offense of First Degree Murder,” E! News reported. Lori is yet to enter a plea deal in relation to the case, as per Associated Press.
What next for Lori Vallow after the guilty verdict?
As it would take three months for authorities to schedule Lori's sentencing date, her lawyers will most likely file an appeal prior to the court’s decision. After facing sentencing in Idaho, Lori will face extradition to Arizona to face charges over the death of her fourth husband. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office told People that they have “made the state of Idaho aware of our intent to prosecute the defendant in Arizona.”
Charles, 62, was shot and killed by Lori's brother Alex Cox in her home in Chandler, Arizona, on July 11, 2019. Cox, who died of natural causes that same year, claimed self-defense and did not face any legal charges. However, Lori was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. The attorney’s office said that Lori's “extradition can take from several weeks to several months.”
In the wake of the verdict, prosecutors Wood and Blake said they were unable to “conduct any additional interviews or discuss further details of this matter” due to the “pending case against the co-defendant.” However, they promised to provide justice to Tylee, JJ and Tammy. “We want to assure each of you that we remain committed to pursuing justice for Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell,” the prosecutors said. “We also want to express sincere appreciation to the many members of law enforcement and the community who tirelessly worked together to hold Lori Vallow Daybell accountable,” they added.
Lori's husband, Chad Daybell, is also facing three counts of first-degree murder for the killings of Tylee, JJ and Tammy as well as three counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in connection to their deaths. He is also accused of two counts of insurance fraud. Daybell pleaded not guilty to all charges and is being tried separately at a later date.
A brief recap of the key events leading up to Lori Vallow’s guilty verdict
Lori's adopted children, JJ and Tylee, went missing in September 2019. Meanwhile, her fifth husband’s ex-wife Tammy, 49, died on October 19 of that same year. Nearly two weeks after Tammy’s death, Lori and Daybell tied the knot in Hawaii. The decomposed remains of Tylee and JJ were found buried at Daybell’s property on June 9, 2020. While Tylee was reportedly dismembered and burned, JJ was found wrapped in plastic and bound by duct tape. It was later revealed that JJ’s died due to asphyxiation. Tylee's cause of death was undetermined. Meanwhile, autopsy results also revealed that Tammy’s cause of death of asphyxiation.
“What was left of Tylee was found. Charred remains. A mass of bone and tissues. That was what was left of this beautiful young woman,” prosecutor Blake told the court during the first week of Vallow’s trial. “Her DNA was discovered on a pickaxe and shovel and later found in Daybell's shed,” he shared. One of the key evidences presented in court included a strand of Lori's hair that was found on the duct tape wrapped around JJ’s battered body. Chilling text messages exchanged between Lori and Daybell showed the duo plotting to cause “pain” to their children.
“There were several communications regarding JJ and Tylee that were relevant to their deaths,” FBI agent Douglas Hart said in a statement. “They discussed their deaths. After the affair began, there began to be communication regarding the deaths of Charles Vallow, Tammy Daybell, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan,” he added. Over the six-week trial, prosecutors called more than 60 witnesses and presented a string of evidences to prove Lori guilty of the triple murder. The defense team did not summon a single witness to refute their claims and hung their heads as the judge read Lori's guilty verdict on May 12.
