Lori Daybell, already serving life in prison for the murders of her two children, was found guilty once again — this time for conspiring to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow.
The verdict came on Tuesday afternoon after a Maricopa County, Arizona jury deliberated for about a day following a two-week trial.
What Happened?
Lori Daybell, 51, who chose to represent herself at trial, faced charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. She did not testify or call any witnesses in her defense.
Prosecutors argued that Daybell and her brother, Alex Cox, planned to kill Vallow in July 2019 in Chandler, Arizona. Daybell claimed it was self-defense, but authorities said it was a carefully planned killing motivated by money and a desire to be with her new love, Chad Daybell, whom she married just four months after Charles Vallow’s death.
The Evidence That Sealed the Verdict
Prosecutors showed a mountain of evidence:
- Text messages between Lori Daybell and Chad Daybell showed discussions about Charles’ life insurance policy just days after his death.
- One shocking message discussed how “Ned” — the name they gave to the supposed evil spirit inside Charles — had “changed the policy before we got rid of him.”
- Another text to Alex Cox referenced a passage from the Book of Mormon about “being like Nephi,” a prophet ordered by God to kill — suggesting a religious justification for the murder.
Prosecutors said Daybell used “twisted religious beliefs” to convince her brother to help her kill Charles Vallow.
Three jurors later said the text messages were critical in reaching their guilty verdict.
Emotional Reactions from the Family
After the verdict was announced, Kay Woodcock, Charles Vallow’s sister, expressed her relief outside the courthouse, saying:
“I’m ready to move on. This was thrust upon us, and our lives just went into, like a tornado, for a long time.”
Vallow’s family has endured years of heartbreaking trials since Charles’ death and the subsequent deaths of Lori’s two children, Joshua “J.J.” Vallow and Tylee Ryan.
What’s Next for Lori Daybell?
Following her guilty verdict, Lori Daybell agreed to several aggravating factors, admitting that the offense was dangerous, involved an accomplice, and caused emotional and financial harm to the victim’s family.
However, her legal battles are not over yet. Lori faces another upcoming trial in Maricopa County where she is accused of conspiring to kill Brandon Boudreaux, her niece’s ex-husband. Boudreaux survived after being shot at outside his home, just months after Charles Vallow’s death.
Daybell has pleaded not guilty in that case as well.
The Bigger Picture: Lori and Chad Daybell’s Criminal History
Both Lori and Chad Daybell were convicted of first-degree murder for the deaths of her two children. Investigators revealed that the couple believed the children were “possessed zombies” and killed them to “be together.”
- Lori Daybell is now serving life in prison without parole.
- Chad Daybell received the death penalty and is currently on Idaho’s death row.
Their crimes, fueled by bizarre religious beliefs and chilling plots, have captured national attention and left a lasting impact on families and communities across multiple states.