PHOENIX — Lori Vallow Daybell, whose extreme religious beliefs propelled a series of tragic events, including the murder of her two children, was found guilty on Tuesday of conspiring to kill her estranged husband. The conviction is tied to the July 2019 shooting death of Charles Vallow in Chandler, a Phoenix suburb, and adds to Vallow Daybell’s three existing life sentences already in place in Idaho.
This latest verdict reached after about three hours of deliberation by jurors, posits another possible life sentence pending for Vallow Daybell, who will not face sentencing in Arizona until her trials for other alleged crimes conclude. Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, was implicated as her accomplice, with prosecutors arguing that the murder was motived by a potentially lucrative life insurance payout and ties to her then-boyfriend, Chad Daybell. Chad, who authored several doomsday-focused religious novels, also faces life sentences for related crimes, including the deaths of the Vallow Daybell children and his own wife.
Throughout the trial, shocking details emerged about the couple’s twisted belief system which labeled the children as zombies and portrayed Vallow Daybell as a deity assigned to initiate an apocalypse. This narrative played a significant role in the lead-up to the tragic events.
In an unusual move, Vallow Daybell chose to represent herself in court. During the proceedings, she remained composed, sporadically glancing at jurors while responses were collected. Testimonies painted a grim picture of her demeanor; juror Victoria Lewis noted that Vallow Daybell’s self-representation did her no favors, as she often appeared detached and unserious about the proceedings.
Vallow Daybell’s defense hinged on claims of self-defense, stating that her husband had attacked her with a bat, which prompted her brother to shoot him as she fled their home. She described the incident as a tragedy rather than a crime. However, her brother Alex Cox, who she claimed acted in her defense, died five months after the shooting, with the cause declared as a blood clot in his lungs by medical examiners.
Outside the courthouse, sentiments from Charles Vallow’s family were of relief and vindication. “We gotcha, and you’re not the smartest person in the room,” said Kay Woodcock, sister of Charles Vallow. “Everybody’s going to forget about you.”
Prosecution witnesses contradicted Vallow Daybell’s self-defense claim. Adam Cox, another brother of Vallow Daybell, stood with the prosecution, insisting that the death of Charles was a calculated murder planned by his siblings. He shared concerns about his sister’s alarming claims prior to the murder, including assertions that Charles Vallow was possessed by a zombie.
The court also heard about Vallow Daybell’s erratic behavior in the months leading up to her husband’s death. Charles Vallow had sought a divorce, claiming Lori Vallow Daybell threatened his life and financial ruin due to her newfound obscure beliefs which included her experiences on other planets.
Further legal challenges await Vallow Daybell who’s slated for another trial in early June. This upcoming case involves allegations of plotting the murder of her niece’s ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux, who survived the assassination attempt.
This saga continues to unfold as Lori Vallow Daybell faces the legal repercussions of her actions, underlying a disturbing mix of doomsday prophecy and deadly violence.