Lori Vallow – update: ‘Cult mom’ smirks in mugshot as she starts life sentence in Idaho’s Pocatello prison
“Cult mom” Lori Vallow smirked in a new mug shot taken the day after she was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murders of her two children and love rival.
The photo was taken on Tuesday as Vallow, 50, was remanded to the custody of the Idaho Department of Corrections.
The so-called “cult mom” was convicted in May of killing her seven-year-old son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 16-year-old daughter Tylee Ryan, who vanished in September 2019. She was also found guilty of conspiring to kill her husband Chad Daybell’s first wife, Tammy, who died in October 2019.
Before the sentence was handed down on Monday, the court heard victim impact statements from several family members devastated by the harrowing saga that has gripped the nation for nearly four years.
To the surprise of many, Vallow spoke herself and appeared to show no remorse for her crimes, claiming the children and Tammy were “busy” and “happy” in heaven. She appeared emotionless as the sentence was handed down.
The families of the victims shared outrage at her bizarre statement as they praised the harsh sentence.
Key points
Vallow headed to Pocatello Women’s Correction Center
Full story: A doomsday cult, murders and children buried in a pet cemetery
Monday 31 July 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Rachel Sharp delves into the deeply disturbing tale of murders, unexplained deaths and apocalyptic cult beliefs about killing zombies which surround Lori Vallow and her doomsday author husband Chad Daybell.
What we know about the Lori Vallow Daybell ‘doomsday cult’ murder case
Voices: Lori Vallow finally broke her silence at the sentencing. It was too late
Monday 31 July 2023 21:44 , Oliver O'Connell
Megan Sheets writes:
Lori stunned the court when she made an unprecedented move to defend herself publicly for the first time. At her sentencing on 31 July, Lori sobbed in a bizarre statement where she denied that any murders took place and insisted that her victims are “very happy”.
Having followed this tragic case in near-obsessive detail, I could spend endless hours analysing each line of her sentencing statement. But perhaps the most important aspect is that it came far, far too late; her fate was already sealed by the years of silence that preceded it.
Read on...
Lori Vallow finally broke her silence. It was too late
Monday 31 July 2023 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Full story: Vallow sentenced to life in prison for murders of two children and Chad Daybell’s wife
Monday 31 July 2023 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell
“Cult mom” Lori Vallow will now spend the rest of her life behind bars for the murders of her two youngest children and conspiracy to kill her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife, bringing some sort of conclusion to the disturbing case that shook America to its core.
‘Cult mom’ Lori Vallow sentenced to life in prison for children’s murders
Monday 31 July 2023 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Vallow is ‘misunderstood’ and ‘all about love’, defence claims
Monday 31 July 2023 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Lori Vallow’s attorney claimed that the “cult mom” who murdered her two children and conspired to kill her new lover’s wife is “misunderstood” and is actually “all about love” as he asked the judge for leniency at her sentencing hearing.
Defence claims Lori Vallow is ‘misunderstood’ and ‘all about love’ at sentencing
What happens next now that Lori Vallow has been sentenced to a life behind bars?
Monday 31 July 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell
“Doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow will spend the remainder of her days in prison after being convicted of the murders of her two children and conspiracy to murder her new husband’s first wife in a case that has horrified the nation for the last three years.
While her fate may mark the culmination of a chilling case that spans bizarre cult beliefs, missing children, murder and mystery deaths, the saga is still far from over.
Here’s what’s coming next in the shocking case:
Lori Vallow has been sentenced to life in prison. What happens next?
Why one of Vallow’s accomplices will never face justice
Tuesday 1 August 2023 01:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Rachel Sharp reports on how Alex Cox can never be brought to justice having dropped dead as the net closed in on the doomsday cult killings.
So was he an equal co-conspirator or was he – as he feared – Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell’s ‘fall guy’?
Lori Vallow had two alleged murder accomplices. One will never face justice
All the key revelations from Lori Vallow’s murder trial
Tuesday 1 August 2023 02:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Rachel Sharp explains the most crucial moments so far in her high-profile trial, which ended with Vallow’s conviction for the murder of her two youngest children.
Lori Vallow case summary: Key revelations from ‘cult mom’s’ murder trial
Timeline of ‘doomsday cult mom’ mystery case
Tuesday 1 August 2023 03:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Here’s a timeline of the tragic and bizarre case:
Timeline of the Lori Vallow Daybell story
Vallow breaks silence in bizarre sentencing statement
Tuesday 1 August 2023 04:30 , Oliver O'Connell
A sobbing Lori Vallow shockingly claimed that “no one was murdered” as she broke her silence for the first time over the horrific murders of her two children and her lover’s wife in a chilling statement at sentencing.
In the bizarre remarks, the so-called “cult mom” read out a Bible quote, spoke of visiting “heaven” and continued to channel her doomsday cult beliefs while claiming “I have had many communications with Jesus Christ”.
While her victims’ loved ones were forced to listen in horror, she claimed that she had communicated with her murdered children Tylee Ryan and Joshua “JJ” Vallow as well as “her friend” Tammy Daybell from beyond the grave – and that they are “very happy”.
Rachel Sharp reports.
Lori Vallow claims ‘no one was murdered’ in bizarre sentencing statement
Lori Vallow: Mom-of-three, beauty queen – and convicted killer
Tuesday 1 August 2023 05:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Mother of three, former game show contestant, a Mrs Texas Beauty Pageant entrant, a cult follower... and now a convicted killer...
Who is Lori Vallow? Mom-of-three, beauty queen – and convicted killer
All the key players in the Lori Vallow case
Tuesday 1 August 2023 07:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Beyond the Idaho charges, Vallow is also awaiting trial in Arizona for the murder of her fourth husband Charles Vallow – who was shot dead by Cox in July 2019.
Here’s a reminder of all the key players in the sprawling case:
Chad Daybell, Alex Cox and Charles Vallow: Key players in the Lori Vallow case
Was Lori Vallow really driven to kill her children by a doomsday cult?
Tuesday 1 August 2023 19:58 , Oliver O'Connell
Rachel Sharp talks to a survivor of one of America’s most notorious cults.
Did a doomsday cult really drive Lori Vallow to murder her children?
Vallow has been sentenced to life behind bars — what happens next?
Tuesday 1 August 2023 09:30 , Oliver O'Connell
While her sentencing may mark the culmination of a chilling case that spans bizarre cult beliefs, missing children, murder and mystery deaths, the saga is still far from over.
Here’s what’s coming next in the shocking case:
Lori Vallow has been sentenced to life in prison. What happens next?
Was Lori Vallow really driven to kill her children by a doomsday cult?
Tuesday 1 August 2023 10:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Rachel Sharp talks to a survivor of one of America’s most notorious cults.
Did a doomsday cult really drive Lori Vallow to murder her children?
Tuesday 1 August 2023 11:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Listen: Family give emotional impact statements as Lori Vallow sentenced
‘Monster’ Lori Vallow confronted by victims’ sobbing families at sentencing
Tuesday 1 August 2023 12:15 , Oliver O'Connell
“Cult mom” Lori Vallow was confronted by her victims’ sobbing family members at her sentencing hearing where they branded her a “monster” and described her 1,841-day “cruel campaign of terror”.
Rachel Sharp reports.
‘Monster’ Lori Vallow is confronted by victims’ sobbing families at sentencing
Tuesday 1 August 2023 13:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Moment Lori Vallow sentenced to life with no parole for murders of her children
Full story: Lori Vallow sentenced to life in prison for murders
Tuesday 1 August 2023 13:45 , Oliver O'Connell
“Cult mom” Lori Vallow will now spend the rest of her life behind bars for the murders of her two youngest children and conspiracy to kill her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife, bringing some sort of conclusion to the disturbing case that shook America to its core.
‘Cult mom’ Lori Vallow sentenced to life in prison for children’s murders
Tuesday 1 August 2023 14:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Lori Vallow claims murdered children ‘happy in heaven’ in statement to court
Vallow is ‘misunderstood’ and ‘all about love’, defence claims
Tuesday 1 August 2023 14:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Lori Vallow’s attorney claimed that the “cult mom” who murdered her two children and conspired to kill her new lover’s wife is “misunderstood” and is actually “all about love” as he asked the judge for leniency at her sentencing hearing.
Defence claims Lori Vallow is ‘misunderstood’ and ‘all about love’ at sentencing
Voices: Lori Vallow finally broke her silence at the sentencing. It was too late
Tuesday 1 August 2023 15:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Megan Sheets writes:
Lori stunned the court when she made an unprecedented move to defend herself publicly for the first time. At her sentencing on 31 July, Lori sobbed in a bizarre statement where she denied that any murders took place and insisted that her victims are “very happy”.
Having followed this tragic case in near-obsessive detail, I could spend endless hours analysing each line of her sentencing statement. But perhaps the most important aspect is that it came far, far too late; her fate was already sealed by the years of silence that preceded it.
Read on...
Lori Vallow finally broke her silence. It was too late
Lori Vallow: Mom-of-three, beauty queen – and convicted killer
Tuesday 1 August 2023 16:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Mother of three, former game show contestant, a Mrs Texas Beauty Pageant entrant, a cult follower... and now a convicted killer...
Who is Lori Vallow? Mom-of-three, beauty queen – and convicted killer
Vallow headed to Pocatello Women’s Correction Center
Tuesday 1 August 2023 16:23 , Oliver O'Connell
Vallow is being transferred to the Pocatello Women’s Correction Center by the Idaho Department of Corrections for her sentence of life imprisonment without parole.
JUST IN: The order stating that Lori Vallow is committed to the custody of the Idaho Dept. Of Corrections for life imprisonment without parole.
“It is necessary that the defendant is transferred to the Pocatello Women’s Correction Center.” pic.twitter.com/MSgGtdJQjn— Justin Lum | 林俊豪 (@jlumfox10) August 1, 2023
Justin Lum of Fox 10 Phoenix reports that when he reached out to the Idaho DOC after the guilty verdict her was told: “She will go through the reception and diagnostic process which will determine her housing assignment. That process takes four to six weeks.”
He adds that the facility has operated as the reception and diagnostic centre for women in the Idaho prison system.
Vallow is being brought there for processing but it remains to be seen if that is where she will be housed for life. The other option is the South Boise corrections facility.
All the key players in the Lori Vallow case
Tuesday 1 August 2023 16:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Beyond the Idaho charges, Vallow is also awaiting trial in Arizona for the murder of her fourth husband Charles Vallow – who was shot dead by Cox in July 2019.
Here’s a reminder of all the key players in the sprawling case:
Chad Daybell, Alex Cox and Charles Vallow: Key players in the Lori Vallow case
Vallow has been sentenced to life behind bars — what happens next?
Tuesday 1 August 2023 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell
While her sentencing may mark the culmination of a chilling case that spans bizarre cult beliefs, missing children, murder and mystery deaths, the saga is still far from over.
Here’s what’s coming next in the shocking case:
Lori Vallow has been sentenced to life in prison. What happens next?
Was Lori Vallow really driven to kill her children by a doomsday cult?
Tuesday 1 August 2023 18:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Rachel Sharp talks to a survivor of one of America’s most notorious cults.
Did a doomsday cult really drive Lori Vallow to murder her children?
Lori Vallow’s new mug shot released
Tuesday 1 August 2023 18:21 , Megan Sheets
Lori Vallow’s new mug shot has been released one day after she was sentenced in life in prison without parole.
The photo, taken on Tuesday, shows the so-called “cult mom” with a slight smirk as she holds a plaque with her inmate number.
Tuesday 1 August 2023 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Listen: Family give emotional impact statements as Lori Vallow sentenced
Tammy Daybell’s sister slams Lori Vallow’s bizarre claims at sentencing
Tuesday 1 August 2023 19:37 , Oliver O'Connell
Relatives of “cult mom” Lori Vallow’s victims have decried her unhinged claims during her sentencing trial.
In a shocking statement addressing the court just moments before she was handed down five consecutive life sentences without parole, Vallow said that her children “were happy and busy in the spirit world” and that she knew “her friend Tammy ... is also very happy and extremely busy.”
Tammy’s sister Samantha Gwilliam has since slammed Vallow’s remarks.
Andrea Blanco reports.
Tammy Daybell’s sister slams Lori Vallow’s bizarre claims during sentencing
Full story: Lori Vallow sentenced to life in prison for murders
Tuesday 1 August 2023 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell
“Cult mom” Lori Vallow will now spend the rest of her life behind bars for the murders of her two youngest children and conspiracy to kill her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife, bringing some sort of conclusion to the disturbing case that shook America to its core.
‘Cult mom’ Lori Vallow sentenced to life in prison for children’s murders
Tuesday 1 August 2023 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Moment Lori Vallow sentenced to life with no parole for murders of her children
‘Monster’ Lori Vallow confronted by victims’ sobbing families at sentencing
Tuesday 1 August 2023 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell
“Cult mom” Lori Vallow was confronted by her victims’ sobbing family members at her sentencing hearing where they branded her a “monster” and described her 1,841-day “cruel campaign of terror”.
Rachel Sharp reports.
‘Monster’ Lori Vallow is confronted by victims’ sobbing families at sentencing
Tuesday 1 August 2023 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Lori Vallow claims murdered children ‘happy in heaven’ in statement to court
Vallow is ‘misunderstood’ and ‘all about love’, defence claims
Tuesday 1 August 2023 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Lori Vallow’s attorney claimed that the “cult mom” who murdered her two children and conspired to kill her new lover’s wife is “misunderstood” and is actually “all about love” as he asked the judge for leniency at her sentencing hearing.
Defence claims Lori Vallow is ‘misunderstood’ and ‘all about love’ at sentencing
Voices: Lori Vallow finally broke her silence at the sentencing. It was too late
Tuesday 1 August 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Megan Sheets writes:
Lori stunned the court when she made an unprecedented move to defend herself publicly for the first time. At her sentencing on 31 July, Lori sobbed in a bizarre statement where she denied that any murders took place and insisted that her victims are “very happy”.
Having followed this tragic case in near-obsessive detail, I could spend endless hours analysing each line of her sentencing statement. But perhaps the most important aspect is that it came far, far too late; her fate was already sealed by the years of silence that preceded it.
Read on...
Lori Vallow finally broke her silence. It was too late
Lori Vallow: Mom-of-three, beauty queen – and convicted killer
01:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Mother of three, former game show contestant, a Mrs Texas Beauty Pageant entrant, a cult follower... and now a convicted killer...
Who is Lori Vallow? Mom-of-three, beauty queen – and convicted killer
All the key players in the Lori Vallow case
03:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Beyond the Idaho charges, Vallow is also awaiting trial in Arizona for the murder of her fourth husband Charles Vallow – who was shot dead by Cox in July 2019.
Here’s a reminder of all the key players in the sprawling case:
Chad Daybell, Alex Cox and Charles Vallow: Key players in the Lori Vallow case
Vallow has been sentenced to life behind bars — what happens next?
05:30 , Oliver O'Connell
While her sentencing may mark the culmination of a chilling case that spans bizarre cult beliefs, missing children, murder and mystery deaths, the saga is still far from over.
Here’s what’s coming next in the shocking case:
Lori Vallow has been sentenced to life in prison. What happens next?
Was Lori Vallow really driven to kill her children by a doomsday cult?
07:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Rachel Sharp talks to a survivor of one of America’s most notorious cults.
Did a doomsday cult really drive Lori Vallow to murder her children?
Lori Vallow’s new mug shot released
08:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Lori Vallow’s new mug shot has been released one day after she was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The photo, taken on Tuesday, shows the so-called “cult mom” with a slight smirk as she holds a plaque with her inmate number.
09:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Listen: Family give emotional impact statements as Lori Vallow sentenced
Tammy Daybell’s sister slams Lori Vallow’s bizarre claims at sentencing
10:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Relatives of “cult mom” Lori Vallow’s victims have decried her unhinged claims during her sentencing trial.
In a shocking statement addressing the court just moments before she was handed down five consecutive life sentences without parole, Vallow said that her children “were happy and busy in the spirit world” and that she knew “her friend Tammy ... is also very happy and extremely busy.”
Tammy’s sister Samantha Gwilliam has since slammed Vallow’s remarks.
Andrea Blanco reports.
Tammy Daybell’s sister slams Lori Vallow’s bizarre claims during sentencing
Full story: Lori Vallow sentenced to life in prison for murders
11:30 , Oliver O'Connell
“Cult mom” Lori Vallow will now spend the rest of her life behind bars for the murders of her two youngest children and conspiracy to kill her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife, bringing some sort of conclusion to the disturbing case that shook America to its core.
‘Cult mom’ Lori Vallow sentenced to life in prison for children’s murders
12:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Moment Lori Vallow sentenced to life with no parole for murders of her children
‘Monster’ Lori Vallow confronted by victims’ sobbing families at sentencing
13:30 , Oliver O'Connell
“Cult mom” Lori Vallow was confronted by her victims’ sobbing family members at her sentencing hearing where they branded her a “monster” and described her 1,841-day “cruel campaign of terror”.
Rachel Sharp reports.
‘Monster’ Lori Vallow is confronted by victims’ sobbing families at sentencing
14:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Lori Vallow claims murdered children ‘happy in heaven’ in statement to court
Vallow is ‘misunderstood’ and ‘all about love’, defence claims
15:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Lori Vallow’s attorney claimed that the “cult mom” who murdered her two children and conspired to kill her new lover’s wife is “misunderstood” and is actually “all about love” as he asked the judge for leniency at her sentencing hearing.
Defence claims Lori Vallow is ‘misunderstood’ and ‘all about love’ at sentencing
Voices: Lori Vallow finally broke her silence at the sentencing. It was too late
16:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Megan Sheets writes:
Lori stunned the court when she made an unprecedented move to defend herself publicly for the first time. At her sentencing on 31 July, Lori sobbed in a bizarre statement where she denied that any murders took place and insisted that her victims are “very happy”.
Having followed this tragic case in near-obsessive detail, I could spend endless hours analysing each line of her sentencing statement. But perhaps the most important aspect is that it came far, far too late; her fate was already sealed by the years of silence that preceded it.
Read on...
