Lori Vallow Daybell Sentenced Again in Murder Conspiracies, Drawing Close to a Lengthy Legal Ordeal

Lori Vallow Daybell was given another life sentence by an Arizona court after being found guilty of two murder conspiracy charges. This marks the conclusion of a protracted legal battle involving Vallow Daybell, who is known for her apocalyptic religious beliefs and claims that people close to her were possessed by malevolent spirits.

Already serving life sentences in Idaho for the murder of her children and conspiracy to kill her then-husband's wife, Vallow Daybell faced additional charges in Phoenix. This spring, she was convicted of plotting the murders of her former husband, Charles Vallow, and her niece’s former husband, Brandon Boudreaux. Despite not being a trained attorney, she defended herself during these proceedings.

The authorities assert that Vallow Daybell's brother, Alex Cox, played a key role in these plots. In July 2019, he admitted to killing Charles Vallow and was named by prosecutors as the shooter who attempted to kill Boudreaux a few months later.

Prosecutors highlight that Lori Vallow Daybell conspired to murder Charles Vallow in order to claim his $1 million life insurance and to marry Chad Daybell, an Idaho-based author of religious novels. They suggest Boudreaux suspected foul play in his former in-law's death and subsequently went into hiding with his children, fearing Cox might target him next.

Two years prior, Vallow Daybell received life sentences in Idaho, having been convicted of the murders of her children, JJ and Tylee, and for conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, Chad's wife. The children's bodies were discovered on Chad Daybell's property in rural Idaho months after they disappeared. Chad Daybell has been sentenced to death for these acts.

During her trials in Arizona, Lori Vallow Daybell maintained that her brother acted in self-defense in Charles Vallow's death and denied any collaboration with him to eliminate Boudreaux.

Appearing in court in the customary orange prison outfit, Lori faced harsh criticism from family members of the victims, who described her as 'evil,' 'greedy,' and a 'monster.' Colby Ryan, her surviving child, appeared via a video link, recounting the emotional turmoil of losing both his father and siblings.

Murder of Charles Vallow

Just months before his death in 2019, Charles Vallow filed for divorce, citing Lori's fascination with apocalyptic prophecies and claiming she threatened his life, leaving him fearful for their children's safety.

Charles was fatally shot when attempting to visit his son at Lori Vallow Daybell's residence. According to Tylee, her father's angry shouts awoke her, leading to a confrontation involving a baseball bat, which Charles managed to seize. Alex Cox told police he shot Charles when he refused to put down the bat and acted aggressively towards him.

Cox later died from a blood clot. Subsequent investigations cast doubt on his self-defense claim, as it appeared he and Lori delayed contacting emergency services for over 40 minutes.

Before his untimely death, Charles, with the help of his other brother-in-law, Adam Cox, sought to reintroduce Lori to mainstream LDS beliefs. Adam testified that Lori claimed Charles was possessed, making him a 'zombie.'

During sentencing, Charles's brother, Gerry Vallow, accused Lori of infidelity with Chad Daybell while plotting against Charles. He didn't mince words, stating that Lori fabricated a 'make-believe story written in blood.'

Attack on Brandon Boudreaux

A failed assassination attempt targeted Brandon Boudreaux almost three months after Charles Vallow's death. A shot fired from a moving Jeep narrowly missed him.

Boudreaux testified about how Lori's betrayal caused immense stress and fear for his family's well-being. His sisters shared his fears, leading him to take his children into hiding.

Expressing his determination to forgive for his own peace, Boudreaux mentioned he would never feel secure if Lori were free. Connections between the attack and Lori were established when prosecutors linked her to a Jeep used in the attempt.

They claimed Lori, alongside Alex, staged an alibi by purchasing a burner phone, attempting to show Alex was in Idaho during the attack.