Lori Vallow verdict – latest: New mugshot shows ‘cult mom’ smirking as Idaho judge orders pre-sentence probe

“Doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow has been pictured with a slight smirk on her face in a new mugshot after she was convicted of murdering her two children and conspiring to murder her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife.

Vallow, 49, was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and grand theft over the deaths of daughter Tylee Ryan, 16, son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and conspiracy to murder Tammy Daybell, 49, in Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho.

Tylee and JJ were last seen in September 2019. In June 2020, their remains were found buried on the Daybell property. Tammy died one month after their disappearance in October 2019.

Over six weeks, prosecutors argued that Vallow conspired with Mr Daybell and her brother Alex Cox to kill the three victims, motivated by greed and their doomsday cult beliefs.

On Friday 12 May, jurors convicted her on all charges. She will be sentenced within 90 days’ time where she faces life in prison.

Judge Steven Boyce has now ordered a pre-sentence investigation to look into Vallow’s background including prior criminal record, social history, health, education and employment records.

Key points

• Vallow indictment over Boudreaux murder conspiracy revealed

• ‘Cult mom’ Lori Vallow appears to smirk in new mugshot

• Brandon Boudreaux calls for ‘forgiveness’ for doomsday cult mom

• Lori Vallow to be extradited to Arizona after sentencing

• JJ Vallow’s family send powerful message to convicted ‘cult mom’

• Lori Vallow is convicted of murders of children and Chad Daybell’s wife

Key players in the Lori Vallow case as further charges expected

06:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Who’s who in the sprawling case that spans multiple states and several years.

Victims and witnesses in the Lori Vallow Daybell trial

Recap: Vallow convicted of all charges in murders of children and Chad Daybell’s wife

04:30 , Oliver O'Connell

“Cult mom” Lori Vallow has been convicted of murdering her two youngest children and conspiring to murder her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife in a shocking doomsday plot that has horrified the nation for the last three years.

The 49-year-old mother-of-three was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft over the deaths of her daughter Tylee Ryan, 16, and son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, in Ada County Court in Boise, Idaho, on Friday.

She was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Mr Daybell’s first wife Tammy, 49.

Read on...

‘Cult mom’ Lori Vallow convicted in murders of children and Chad Daybell’s wife

Vallow’s family on conviction: ‘We share this victory’

02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Lori Vallow’s family and the family of her sister Summer Shiflet have issued a joint statement following her conviction for the murders of her children and love rival.

Read more:

Lori Vallow’s family’s statement in response to her murder conviction

All they key revelations from Lori Vallow’s murder trial

Wednesday 17 May 2023 00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

What did we find out about the investigation into Lori Vallow as the trial progressed at the Ada County Courthouse?

Lori Vallow case summary: Key revelations from ‘cult mom’s’ murder trial

Why we only know one side of the story

Tuesday 16 May 2023 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Lori Vallow has remained silent since day one of the investigation into her missing children. The only story known publicly is that laid out by the state of Idaho.

Read more:

Lori Vallow is facing life in prison for murder. We only know one side of the story

Vallow indictment over Boudreaux murder conspiracy revealed

Tuesday 16 May 2023 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Lori Vallow was indicted by a grand jury in Maricopa County for conspiracy to commit the murder of Brandon Boudreaux more than a year ago, Justin Lum of Fox 10 Phoenix reports.

Vallow was charged on 24 February 2022 under the late Allister Adel, who was the county attorney at the time, he reports.

Per to the indictment, Vallow and her late brother Alex Cox agreed that “at least one of them or another would engage in conduct constituting the offence of first-degree premeditated murder” on 2 October 2019.

Read more:

Lori Vallow’s indictment over Brandon Boudreaux murder conspiracy revealed

Full timeline of the Lori Vallow case

Tuesday 16 May 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Rachel Sharp compiled a timeline of the tragic and bizarre case:

Timeline of the Lori Vallow Daybell story

Vallow was indicted over Boudreaux murder conspiracy over one year ago

Tuesday 16 May 2023 21:09 , Oliver O'Connell

Lori Vallow was indicted by a grand jury in Maricopa County for conspiracy to commit the murder of Brandon Boudreaux more than a year ago, Justin Lum of Fox 10 Phoenix reports.

Vallow was charged on 24 February 2022 under the late Allister Adel, who was the county attorney at the time, Lum reports.

Per to the indictment, Vallow and her late brother Alex Cox agreed that “at least one of them or another would engage in conduct constituting the offence of first-degree premeditated murder” on 2 October 2019.

Gilbert Police Department says Cox shot at Mr Boudreaux outside his home from the back of a jeep.

This is the third time that Cox is named as a co-conspirator in a grand jury indictment of Vallow.

First in the murder charges for which she was convicted in Idaho; second on the murder conspiracy charge in the death of Charles Vallow in Chandler, Arizona, and now third in the attempted murder of Mr Boudreaux.

Here’s more detail about the alleged plot to kill Mr Boudreaux:

Lori Vallow faces charge for attempted murder of niece’s husband Brandon Boudreaux

Voices: Lori Vallow never tried to convince us she was innocent

Tuesday 16 May 2023 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Megan Sheets writes:

What began as a small-town search for two missing children in the fall of 2019 quickly exploded into an unimaginable saga with too many twists and turns to count, including the exposure of at least five mystery deaths, a doomsday cult preparing for the end of times and a joyful beach wedding between that cult’s two recently-widowed leaders. The world watched as Lori’s portrait transformed from devoted mother-of-three to accused child abandoner to murder suspect — and now, convicted killer.

Read more...

Lori Vallow never tried to convince us she was innocent

Vallow’s nephew-in-law says she’s not ‘inherently evil’ as she faces new charges

Tuesday 16 May 2023 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Lori Vallow’s nephew-in-law has spoken out following her murder conviction to say that he believes people “are not inherently good or evil” as she faces new charges for his own attempted murder.

Brandon Boudreaux released a lengthy statement in which he called for “forgiveness” for the doomsday cult mom.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Lori Vallow nephew-in-law speaks as she faces new charges for his attempted murder

Bizarre moments from Lori Vallow’s murder trial

Tuesday 16 May 2023 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Beyond the trial testimony, there was also some bizarre happenings taking place inside the courtroom.

Bizarre moments from Lori Vallow’s murder trial

Now that Lori Vallow has been convicted, what happens next?

Tuesday 16 May 2023 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The verdict may mark the culmination of a chilling case that spans bizarre cult beliefs, missing children, murder and mystery deaths, but the saga is still far from over.

Read more...

Lori Vallow has been convicted of her children’s murders. What happens next?

Alex Cox: Lori’s brother and alleged accomplice will never face justice

Tuesday 16 May 2023 16:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Was he an equal co-conspirator or — as he feared shortly before his own sudden death — the “fall guy”?

Rachel Sharp reports.

Lori Vallow had two alleged murder accomplices. One will never face justice

Vallow to be prosecuted for attempted murder of niece’s husband

Tuesday 16 May 2023 15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in Arizona has announced that in addition to pursuing charges against Lori Vallow over the murder of her fourth husband Charles Vallow, they also plan to prosecute her in the attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux.

Read more...

Lori Vallow faces charge for attempted murder of niece’s husband Brandon Boudreaux

PICTURED: Lori Vallow appears to smirk in new mugshot after murder conviction

Tuesday 16 May 2023 14:00 , Rachel Sharp

Tylee’s aunt reveals why she wasn’t surprised by Lori Vallow’s reaction to conviction

Tuesday 16 May 2023 13:00 , Rachel Sharp

Tylee Ryan’s aunt has described Lori Vallow as a “psychopath” who doesn’t feel and think the same way most people do.

Annie Cushing is the sister of Joseph Ryan – Vallow’s third husband and 16-year-old Tylee’s father.

Speaking after Vallow’s conviction on Friday, Ms Cushing told Fox10’s Justin Lum that she wasn’t surprised by the lack of emotion shown by the doomsday cult mom when she was told that she had been convicted of all charges.

“I think she stealed herself for a conviction,” she said.

“And she’s a psychopath, so I think most emotion she’s mimicking people who feel genuine empathy.

She added: “I don’t think she has any regret or sense of responsibility in her crimes.”

What happens now Lori Vallow has been convicted?

Tuesday 16 May 2023 12:30 , Rachel Sharp

“Doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow has been found guilty 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.

Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua “JJ” Vallow, seven, vanished without a trace in September 2019, sparking a multi-state search while their mother jetted off to Hawaii to marry her fifth husband Chad Daybell.

The children’s bodies were finally discovered nine months later buried in a pet cemetery on Mr Daybell’s property in Idaho.

One month after the children disappeared, Mr Daybell’s wife Tammy was also murdered in her home.

After a six-week trial, Vallow was convicted on Friday (12 May) on all charges over the deaths of Tylee, JJ and Tammy.

The verdict may mark the culmination of a chilling case that spans bizarre cult beliefs, missing children, murder and mystery deaths, but the saga is still far from over.

Here’s what’s coming next in the shocking case:

Lori Vallow has been convicted of her children’s murders. What happens next?

Tylee Ryan’s aunt says she never doubted Lori Vallow would be convicted

Tuesday 16 May 2023 12:00 , Rachel Sharp

Tylee Ryan’s aunt has said she never doubted that Lori Vallow would be convicted at her murder trial.

Annie Cushing is the sister of Joseph Ryan – Vallow’s third husband and 16-year-old Tylee’s father.

Speaking after Vallow’s conviction on Friday, Ms Cushing told Fox10’s Justin Lum that “the evidence was so overwhelming”.

“She was never going to get past the reality that she never reported her kids missing.”

She pointed to the fact that, while her children were dead and buried on Chad Daybell’s property, Vallow was dancing on a beach in Hawaii.

Then there was also the discovery of her hair on the duct tape used to wrap a plastic bag around JJ’s head and smother him.

Ms Cushing said: “On the eve of Mother’s Day, let Lori stew in her juices in that this is the reality of what she did as a mother.”

She added: “Justice doesn’t bring then back or undo everything that’s done in this case but at least it gives those of us who carry the victims ini our hearts a bit of latitude that allows us to heal.”

VOICES: Lori Vallow never tried to convince us she was innocent

Tuesday 16 May 2023 11:30 , Rachel Sharp

“More than three and a half years after her children were brutally killed and buried, Lori Vallow is set to face life in prison for their murders.

“What began as a small-town search for two missing children in the fall of 2019 quickly exploded into an unimaginable saga with too many twists and turns to count, including the exposure of at least five mystery deaths, a doomsday cult preparing for the end of times and a joyful beach wedding between that cult’s two recently-widowed leaders. The world watched as Lori’s portrait transformed from devoted mother-of-three to accused child abandoner to murder suspect — and now, convicted killer.”

The Independent’s Megan Sheets writes:

Lori Vallow never tried to convince us she was innocent

Tylee Ryan’s aunt says she never doubted Lori Vallow would be convicted

Tuesday 16 May 2023 11:00 , Rachel Sharp

Tylee Ryan’s aunt has said she never doubted that Lori Vallow would be convicted at her murder trial.

Annie Cushing is the sister of Joseph Ryan – Vallow’s third husband and 16-year-old Tylee’s father.

Speaking after Vallow’s conviction on Friday, Ms Cushing told Fox10’s Justin Lum that “the evidence was so overwhelming”.

“She was never going to get past the reality that she never reported her kids missing.”

She pointed to the fact that, while her children were dead and buried on Chad Daybell’s property, Vallow was dancing on a beach in Hawaii.

Then there was also the discovery of her hair on the duct tape used to wrap a plastic bag around JJ’s head and smother him.

Ms Cushing said: “On the eve of Mother’s Day, let Lori stew in her juices in that this is the reality of what she did as a mother.”

She added: “Justice doesn’t bring then back or undo everything that’s done in this case but at least it gives those of us who carry the victims ini our hearts a bit of latitude that allows us to heal.”

Lori Vallow is facing life in prison for her children’s murders. We only know one side of the story

Tuesday 16 May 2023 10:30 , Rachel Sharp

For more than three years, Lori Vallow has refused to reveal what happened to her murdered children and Tammy Daybell.

Even now she’s convicted, the only story known is the one laid out by the state of Idaho.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Lori Vallow is facing life in prison for murder. We only know one side of the story

Idaho judge orders pre-sentence probe

Tuesday 16 May 2023 10:15 , Rachel Sharp

Judge Steven Boyce has ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be carried out on Lori Vallow.

Vallow faces life in prison at her sentencing which will take place within 90 days’ of her conviction.

Under Idaho law, the trial judge may, but is not required to, order a pre-sentence probe looking at 11 elements of the convict.

For example, the probe will look into Vallow’s background including prior criminal record, social history, health, education and employment records.

Why did Lori Vallow kill her kids?

Tuesday 16 May 2023 10:00 , Rachel Sharp

During closing arguments, prosecutors argued that Lori Vallow had been driven by “money, power and sex” to kill the three victims.

Vallow and Chad Daybell met at a religious conference in October 2018 when they were both married and began an affair.

As their romance grew, so too did their cult beliefs and conspiracy to kill.

Jurors heard how the doomsday couple believed that they were on a religious mission to gather the 144,000 and that there was a “rating system of light and dark” for the spirits of the people around them.

In the weeks and months before the murders, Vallow allegedly told friends that JJ and Tylee had become “demons”.

Prosecutors said that Vallow used these beliefs to “justify” the murders of her children and love rival.

The state argued that the murders were “premeditated” and “planned” – pointing to evidence including the stash of burner phones the three alleged accomplices had, Cox’s practice at a shooting range prior to a botched attempt on Tammy’s life and a deliberate plan for Vallow to be in Hawaii at the time of Tammy’s murder.

Days before each child was killed, Vallow then allegedly altered their Social Security payments so that the money would be paid directly into her account.

Prosecutor Rob Wood told jurors that Vallow was the ringleader of the murderous plot, and that she “groomed” and “manipulated” both Mr Daybell and Cox to commit the murders.

“They used religion as a tool to manipulate others. Lori manipulated Alex Cox through religion,” he said. “She manipulated Chad through emotional and sexual control.”

Vallow was the “one common thread” tying all the suspects and killings together, he said.

Lori Vallow’s nephew-in-law says she’s not ‘inherently evil’ as she faces new charges for his attempted murder

Tuesday 16 May 2023 09:30 , Rachel Sharp

Lori Vallow’s nephew-in-law has spoken out following her murder conviction to say that he believes people “are not inherently good or evil” as she faces new charges for his own attempted murder.

Brandon Boudreaux released a lengthy statement in which he called for “forgiveness” for the doomsday cult mom who was found guilty of murdering her two children Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua “JJ” Vallow and conspiring to murder her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife.

“We recognize that people are not inherently good or evil. It’s what makes these tragic events so much harder for those of us who were all affected by these crimes,” he said.

“While we do not glory in any conviction, we recognize the importance of holding accountable those who would commit such terrible atrocities.”

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the story:

Lori Vallow nephew-in-law speaks as she faces new charges for his attempted murder

What is Chad Daybell’s trial date?

Tuesday 16 May 2023 09:00 , Rachel Sharp

Lori Vallow’s lover, fellow cult leader and alleged accomplice Chad Daybell is yet to stand trial for the three murders of Tylee, JJ and Tammy.

He is facing the same charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy and grand theft in connection with the deaths of JJ and Tylee and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Tammy.

Mr Daybell is also charged with an additional count of the first-degree murder of Tammy.

Mr Daybell is facing the death penalty on the charges.

The doomsday cult couple were due to stand trial together before the judge ruled in March – just weeks before the trial was due to begin – that the cases would be severed.

While Vallow’s trial began as planned in early April, this pushed Mr Daybell’s case back to a later date.

In a scheduling conference in early May, the court set a rough date of June 2024 for his trial.

Alex Cox: The third alleged co-conspirator who took his secrets to the grave

Tuesday 16 May 2023 08:30 , Rachel Sharp

More than three years after her children JJ Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 16, were brutally murdered and dumped in shallow graves on her new lover’s property, Lori Vallow has finally been held to account.

The 49-year-old mother-of-three was found guilty on Friday (12 May) of the murders of her two children as well as conspiracy to murder them and Chad Daybell’s first wife Tammy Daybell.

Now that she is facing life in prison for her crimes, attention turns to Mr Daybell, who has been behind bars awaiting trial since June 2020.

But what about the one who got away?

The “doomsday cult” couple had a third – lesser-known – alleged accomplice who also conspired with them to kill as part of their bizarre cult beliefs and for monetary greed.

That third co-conspirator was Vallow’s brother Alex Cox – a man who can never be brought to justice as he mysteriously dropped dead as the net closed in.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp reports:

Lori Vallow had two alleged murder accomplices. One will never face justice

WATCH: Who is Lori Vallow?

Tuesday 16 May 2023 08:00 , Rachel Sharp

Key revelations from Lori Vallow’s murder trial

Tuesday 16 May 2023 07:30 , Rachel Sharp

“Cult mom” Lori Vallow has been found guilty of murdering her two youngest children in a case that shocked the nation with its bizarre doomsday cult ties and the tragic deaths of almost everyone close to the mother-of-three and her new husband Chad Daybell.

Following a dramatic six-week trial, jurors deliberated for just under seven hours before returning their guilty verdict on all six counts.

Here are the key revelations from the trial:

Lori Vallow case summary: Key revelations from ‘cult mom’s’ murder trial

Lori Vallow Daybell: Timeline of ‘doomsday cult mom’s’ mystery case

Tuesday 16 May 2023 06:30 , Rachel Sharp

More than three years after her children were last seen alive, “doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow has been found guilty of their murder.

Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 8, vanished without a trace in September 2019, sparking a multi-state search while their mother appeared carefree – marrying her new husband Chad Daybell on a beach in Hawaii.

The children’s bodies were finally discovered nine months later buried in a pet cemetery on Mr Daybell’s property in Idaho. Their disappearances and deaths mark only part of a dramatic case that spans a deeply disturbing pattern of murders, unexplained deaths and bizarre cult beliefs about killing zombies.

On Friday (12 May), the 49-year-old mother-of-three was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft over the deaths of her two youngest children in Ada County Court in Boise, Idaho.

She was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Mr Daybell’s first wife Tammy, 49.

Here’s a timeline of the tragic and bizarre case:

Timeline of the Lori Vallow Daybell story

Napping in court, three words and typing too loudly: Bizarre moments from Lori Vallow’s murder trial

Tuesday 16 May 2023 04:30 , Rachel Sharp

The bizarre and tragic case has now concluded in a courtroom in Boise, Idaho, where Vallow was convicted of all charges in the murders of her children Joshua “JJ” Vallow, seven; Tylee Ryan, 16; and Mr Daybell’s first wife Tammy Daybell.

Prosecutors alleged that Vallow and Mr Daybell conspired with Vallow’s brother Alex Cox to murder Tammy, JJ and Tylee as part of their cult beliefs – but also for financial purposes so that they could collect Tammy’s life insurance money and the children’s social security and survivor benefits.

Harrowing and bizarre details about the cult beliefs which drove – or excused – the 49-year-old came to light during her murder trial in Ada County Courthouse.

But, beyond the trial testimony, there was also some bizarre happenings taking place inside the courtroom:

Bizarre moments from Lori Vallow’s murder trial

Read Lori Vallow’s family’s statement in response to her murder conviction: ‘We share this victory’

Tuesday 16 May 2023 03:30 , Rachel Sharp

Lori Vallow’s family and the family of her sister Summer Shiflet have issued a joint statement after she was convicted of murder.

Vallow was found guilty of the first-degree murder of her children Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow, and of a charge of conspiracy in the first-degree murder of her husband Chad Daybell’s late wife Tammy.

Vallow was born Lori Cox and is one of four siblings, the others being Summer, Adam Cox, and her alleged co-conspirator Alex Cox.

Their initial support of Vallow in the early days of the search for the children evaporated when the bodies of Tylee and JJ were discovered in shallow graves on Mr Daybell’s property outside of Rexburg, Idaho, in June 2020.

Read the statement from the Cox and Shiflet families after the verdict:

Lori Vallow’s family’s statement in response to her murder conviction

ICYMI: JJ Vallow’s family send powerful message to convicted ‘cult mom’ Lori

Tuesday 16 May 2023 02:30 , Rachel Sharp

The grandparents of Joshua “JJ” Vallow sent a powerful message to his mother Lori Vallow after she was convicted of all charges in the murders of the seven-year-old boy, his sister Tylee Ryan, 16, and Chad Daybell’s first wife Tammy.

JJ’s grandparents Larry and Kay Woodcock choked up with emotion as they spoke to reporters outside Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, on Friday after the verdict in the doomsday cult mom’s trial was read out.

“My final message for Lori,” said Mr Woodcock, before breaking into the song “The party’s over” – a song that he and JJ used to sing together.

“Turn out the lights, the party’s over. They say that all good things must end,” he sang.

He then paused and addressed Vallow, saying: “Lori it ended.”

Read the full story:

JJ Vallow’s family send powerful message to convicted ‘cult mom’ Lori

WATCH: Family members pay tribute to JJ and Tylee

Tuesday 16 May 2023 02:00 , Rachel Sharp

Tammy Daybell’s family speak out after verdict

Tuesday 16 May 2023 01:30 , Rachel Sharp

The parents and family of Tammy Daybell also released a statement after the conviction of Vallow for her role in the murder of their daughter, who was asphyxiated in her bed the month after the children were brutally killed.

“What a beautiful day to receive the news of Lori’s convictions. Thank you to everyone that had a part in bringing the truth to light,” the statement reads.

“We are especially grateful to the detectives, the jury, Judge Boyce and the prosecution team. We thank you for your tireless efforts. We will move forward with renewed energy and faith that justice will be fully served. We anticipate next steps will be swift resolution of the case at hand.

“We share this victory with the Vallow-Woodcock family and their precious JJ and Tylee. Thank you to the many prayers sent from people all around the world, we feel them and they lift us up.”

WATCH: Tylee Ryan’s aunt speaks out about the verdict

Tuesday 16 May 2023 01:00 , Rachel Sharp

Lori Vallow has been convicted of her children’s murders. What happens next?

Tuesday 16 May 2023 00:00 , Rachel Sharp

“Doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow has been found guilty 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.

Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua “JJ” Vallow, seven, vanished without a trace in September 2019, sparking a multi-state search while their mother jetted off to Hawaii to marry her fifth husband Chad Daybell.

The children’s bodies were finally discovered nine months later buried in a pet cemetery on Mr Daybell’s property in Idaho.

One month after the children disappeared, Mr Daybell’s wife Tammy was also murdered in her home.

After a six-week trial, Vallow was convicted on Friday (12 May) on all charges over the deaths of Tylee, JJ and Tammy.

The verdict may mark the culmination of a chilling case that spans bizarre cult beliefs, missing children, murder and mystery deaths, but the saga is still far from over.

Here’s what’s coming next in the shocking case:

Lori Vallow has been convicted of her children’s murders. What happens next?

VOICES: Lori Vallow never tried to convince us she was innocent

Monday 15 May 2023 23:30 , Rachel Sharp

“More than three and a half years after her children were brutally killed and buried, Lori Vallow is set to face life in prison for their murders.

“What began as a small-town search for two missing children in the fall of 2019 quickly exploded into an unimaginable saga with too many twists and turns to count, including the exposure of at least five mystery deaths, a doomsday cult preparing for the end of times and a joyful beach wedding between that cult’s two recently-widowed leaders. The world watched as Lori’s portrait transformed from devoted mother-of-three to accused child abandoner to murder suspect — and now, convicted killer.”

The Independent’s Megan Sheets writes:

Lori Vallow never tried to convince us she was innocent

Who is Chad Daybell?

Monday 15 May 2023 23:00 , Rachel Sharp

Chad Daybell, 54, is a self-published author who wrote doomsday books loosely based on the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

He was also a professional cemetery sexton and ran a podcast based on his doomsday teachings.

He married his first wife Tammy in 1990 and they founded Spring Creek Book Company together in Utah – the company which published his doomsday books.

The couple had five children together and moved to Salem, Idaho, in 2015.

Chad Daybell wrote doomsday books loosely based on the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Among his teachings, he claimed he could teleport, could see into the future and see dead people, and that he and Vallow were part of the chosen 144,000.

He is also charged over the triple murders and is due to stand trial separately at a later date. He has pleaded not guilty.

He has not been charged over Charles Vallow’s death – but prosecutors in Arizona said this was only because they didn’t think the charges would stick.

Tylee Ryan’s aunt says she never doubted Lori Vallow would be convicted

Monday 15 May 2023 22:30 , Rachel Sharp

Tylee Ryan’s aunt has said she never doubted that Lori Vallow would be convicted at her murder trial.

Annie Cushing is the sister of Joseph Ryan – Vallow’s third husband and 16-year-old Tylee’s father.

Speaking after Vallow’s conviction on Friday, Ms Cushing told Fox10’s Justin Lum that “the evidence was so overwhelming”.

“She was never going to get past the reality that she never reported her kids missing.”

She pointed to the fact that, while her children were dead and buried on Chad Daybell’s property, Vallow was dancing on a beach in Hawaii.

Then there was also the discovery of her hair on the duct tape used to wrap a plastic bag around JJ’s head and smother him.

Ms Cushing said: “On the eve of Mother’s Day, let Lori stew in her juices in that this is the reality of what she did as a mother.”

She added: “Justice doesn’t bring then back or undo everything that’s done in this case but at least it gives those of us who carry the victims ini our hearts a bit of latitude that allows us to heal.”

Lori Vallow case summary

Monday 15 May 2023 22:00 , Rachel Sharp

Following ‘cult mom’ Lori Vallow’s conviction on all charges in the deaths of her children and her spouse’s first wife, Rachel Sharp delves into the deeply disturbing tale of murders, unexplained deaths and apocalyptic cult beliefs about killing zombies which surround her and her doomsday author husband Chad Daybell:

What we know about the Lori Vallow Daybell ‘doomsday cult’ murder trial