Lori Vallow, once at the center of a chilling saga involving the tragic deaths of her own children, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow, has already faced justice for these crimes. She was also convicted for her role in the conspiracy surrounding the death of her husband’s former wife, Tammy Daybell. Now, this highly publicized case is taking another turn as Lori prepares to stand trial in Arizona. The intertwined lives of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell have captivated the public’s attention, and their story is filled with twists and shocking revelations. Here’s a timeline to help you follow the key events in this gripping case.
On July 2, prosecutors dismiss two felony counts of desertion and nonsupport of children against Lori.
On July 15, she pleads not guilty to misdemeanor charges of resisting or obstructing officers, criminal solicitation to commit a crime, and contempt of court.
A preliminary hearing for Chad takes place on August 3 and 4 in Fremont County, where friends, investigators, and witnesses testify. Magistrate Judge Faren Eddins concludes that the prosecution has enough probable cause to advance the case to District Court.
Lori waives her preliminary hearing, which was scheduled for August 10 and 11 in Fremont County, allowing the case to move forward to District Court.
Chad is arraigned before District Judge Steven Boyce on August 21, where he pleads not guilty to the felony charges.
On September 1, Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood files a motion to combine the cases against Chad and Lori. He argues that having the cases together would be more efficient since he plans to present the same evidence and witnesses for both.
Lori is arraigned in District Court on September 10, pleading not guilty to the two felony counts of conspiracy to commit destruction, alteration, or concealment of evidence.
On October 19, the anniversary of Tammy Daybell’s death, her parents and siblings announce the creation of the Tammy Douglas Daybell Foundation to honor her legacy of service and love for literacy.
On November 5, EastIdahoNews.com obtains an audio recording in which Lori states she “was going to murder” her third husband, Joseph Ryan, during a meeting in October 2018. She says she became closer to God and ultimately decided against taking action against Joe.
In 2021, on February 4, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office announces that Tammy’s autopsy is complete, though the details are not released. That same day, newly elected Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake requests that Tammy’s death investigation case be sent back to her office from the Idaho Attorney General, who then transfers the case.
Investigators receive the autopsy report from the Utah Medical Examiner, according to a news release from Fremont County Sheriff Len Humphries.
On March 22, Wood adds veteran Missouri homicide attorney Rachel Smith to his team for the case.
On May 24, a grand jury indicts Chad and Lori on several new felony charges, including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors announce the charges during a May 25 news conference and release the indictment containing additional information surrounding the homicides of Tylee, JJ, and Tammy.
On June 8, Lori is committed to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare after a psychologist deems her unfit for trial. Judge Boyce agrees that she cannot assist in her defense.
Chad pleads not guilty to all counts in the indictment on June 9, while his children sit behind him in the courtroom.
On June 24, a grand jury in Arizona indicts Lori for conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Charles Vallow. Prosecutors choose not to file charges against Chad, citing “no reasonable likelihood of conviction.”
On July 29, prosecutors drop the charges related to the destruction, alteration, or concealment of evidence against Chad and Lori.
On August 5, prosecutors announce they will seek the death penalty against Chad, stating that “the nature and magnitude of these crimes warrant the possibility of the highest possible punishment.”
In a September interview with "48 Hours," Chad’s children claim their father was framed and that their mother died of asphyxiation.
Following a change of venue hearing on October 5, Judge Boyce rules that the Daybell trial will be moved from Fremont County to Ada County.
On October 7, Chandler, Arizona police release their entire case file for the investigation into Charles’ homicide, which includes gigabytes of previously unreleased video interviews, audio recordings, text messages, and police reports.
On December 28, Judge Boyce orders that Mark Means, Lori’s attorney, can no longer represent her due to a conflict of interest arising from his representation of both Chad and Lori, as well as concerns over his legal competency and effectiveness.
In 2022, in March, Arizona prosecutors announce they will not file conspiracy to commit murder charges against Chad in the attempted shooting case involving Brandon Boudreaux, citing “no reasonable likelihood of conviction” as the reason.
Judge Boyce denies a request from John Prior on March 21 to sever Chad’s case from Lori’s.
On April 11, Judge Boyce issues a written order stating that Lori is now competent and fit to proceed to trial, and she is ordered to be released from the Department of Health and Welfare facility.
Lori is arraigned on April 19 but remains silent during the proceedings. Her attorney, Jim Archibald, asks Judge Boyce to enter a not guilty plea on her behalf.
On May 2, prosecutors announce their intention to pursue the death penalty against Lori and request Judge Boyce to keep her trial together with Chad’s. On May 26, Judge Boyce reaffirms that the trials will be held together in January 2023.
In August, Lori appears in court smiling and wearing a band on her wrist.ndent children. She is also charged with arrests and seizures – resisting or obstructing officers, criminal solicitation to commit a crime, and contempt of court – willful disobedience of court process or order.
On Feb. 26, Lori waives her extradition to Idaho after six days behind bars in Hawaii. The waiver comes after multiple attempts to reduce bail fail.
Idaho authorities extradite Lori from Hawaii to Rexburg on March 5. They arrive at the Rexburg airport and Nate Eaton attempts to speak with her before she’s taken to the Madison County Jail.
Lori makes her initial court appearance in Rexburg on March 6. Hundreds wait in line hoping to catch a glimpse of the hearing where Magistrate Judge Faren Eddins reduces her bail to $1 million. She remains in jail unable to post bond.
On April 9, EastIdahoNews.com obtains a letter from the Idaho Attorney General stating Chad and Lori are under investigation for conspiracy, attempted murder and/or murder.
The Maricopa County Medical Examiner releases Alex’s autopsy on May 8. It says he died of natural causes -due to blood clots in his lungs.
Melanie Gibb breaks her silence and during an interview with EastIdahoNews.com, reveals explosive new details.
Around 7 a.m. on June 9, the Rexburg Police Department, FBI and Fremont County Sheriff’s Office serve a search warrant at Chad’s home. Within hours, investigators discover human remains buried on the property that are later identified as those of JJ and Tylee.
Around 11:30 a.m. on June 9, Chad is taken into custody about a mile from his home. He’s booked into the Fremont County Jail on two felony charges of concealment, distribution or alteration of evidence.
Chad makes his first court appearance on June 10 via video from the jail and bail is set at $1 million.
Memorials are set up along the fence of the property where the children were found. Several candlelight vigils are held in their honor.
On June 29, prosecutors file charges against Lori including two felony counts of conspiracy to commit destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence.
On July 2, prosecutors dismiss two felony counts of desertion and nonsupport of children against Lori. On July 15, she pleads not guilty to misdemeanor resisting or obstructing officers, criminal solicitation to commit a crime and contempt of court.
On Aug. 3 and 4, Chad’s preliminary hearing is held in Fremont County. Friends, investigators and witnesses testify and Magistrate Judge Faren Eddins concludes the prosecution has enough probable cause to advance the case to District Court.
Lori waives her preliminary hearing scheduled on Aug. 10 and 11 in Fremont County. The case advances to District Court.
Chad is arraigned before District Judge Steven Boyce on Aug. 21. He pleads not guilty to the felony charges.
Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood files a motion on Sept. 1 asking to combine the cases for Chad and Lori. He says having the cases together will be more efficient since he plans to present the same evidence and witnesses.
On Sept. 10, Lori is arraigned in District Court where she pleads not guilty to the two felony counts of conspiracy to commit destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence.
On Oct. 19, the anniversary of Tammy Daybell’s death, her parents and siblings announce the creation of the Tammy Douglas Daybell Foundation “to honor her legacy of service and love of literacy.”
On Nov. 5, EastIdahoNews.com obtains an audio recording of Lori saying she “was going to murder” her third husband, Joseph Ryan, while speaking at a meeting in Oct. 2018. She says she became closer to God and ultimately did not need to act against Joe.
2021
On Feb. 4, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office announces Tammy’s autopsy is complete but details are not released. That same day, newly elected Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake requests Tammy’s death investigation case be sent back to her office from the Idaho Attorney General. The AG transfers the case.
On March 22, Wood adds veteran Missouri homicide attorney Rachel Smithto assist his team in the case.
On May 24, a grand jury indicts Chad and Lori on several new felony charges, including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors announce the charges during a May 25 news conference, releasing the indictment containing additional information surrounding the homicides of Tylee, JJ and Tammy.
On June 8, Lori is committed to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. A psychologist deems her unfit for trial and Boyce agrees she can not assist in her defense.
Chad pleads not guilty to all counts in the indictment on June 9. His children sit behind him in the courtroom.
On June 24, a grand jury in Arizona indicts Lori for conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Charles Vallow. Prosecutors decline to file charges against Chad saying there is “no reasonable likelihood of conviction.”
On July 29, prosecutors drop the destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence charges against Chad and Lori.
Prosecutors announce on Aug. 5 they will seek the death penalty against Chad saying “the nature and magnitude of these crimes warrant the possibility of the highest possible punishment.”
In a September interview with “48 Hours,” Chad’s children say their father was framed and their mother died of asphyxiation.
Following a change of venue hearing on Oct. 5, Boyce rules the Daybell trial will be moved from Fremont County to Ada County.
On Oct. 7, Chandler, Arizona police release their entire case file for the investigation into Charles’ homicide. Included are gigabytes of never-before-seen video interviews, audio recordings, text messages and police reports.
On Dec. 28, Boyce orders that Mark Means, Lori’s attorney, can no longer represent her. Boyce cites the conflict of interest in Means representing both Chad and Lori as well as concerns over his legal competency and effectiveness.
2022
In March, Arizona prosecutors announce they will not file conspiracy to commit murder charges against Chad in the attempted shooting case of Brandon Boudreaux. They cite “no reasonable likelihood of conviction” as the reason.
Boyce denies a request from John Prior on March 21 to sever Chad’s case from Lori’s.
On April 11, Boyce issues a written order saying Lori is now competent and fit to proceed for trial. She is ordered to be released from a Department of Health and Welfare facility.
Lori is arraigned on April 19. She remains silent and her attorney Jim Archibald asks Boyce to enter a not guilty plea on her behalf.
On May 2, prosecutors announce they will pursue the death penalty against Lori and ask Boyce to keep her trial together with Chad’s. Boyce issues a response on May 26 reaffirming the trials will be held together in January 2023.
In August, Lori appears in court smiling and wearing a band on her ring finger.
Two weeks after the hearing, Lori’s attorneys file a motion asking for cameras to be banned from the courtroom. Prosecutors support the motion as EastIdahoNews.com joins with over two dozen other media outlets in opposition. Boyce grants the motion and all cameras are banned from future court hearings and the trial.
On Oct. 6, Lori’s case is put on hold due to competency issues. A month later, she is found competent for trial but the originally scheduled January start date is postponed until April 3, 2023.
2023
On March 2, District Judge Steven Boyce rules Lori and Chad’s cases will be severed, meaning there will be two trials, after new evidence is submitted regarding DNA testing. Lori’s trial is scheduled to begin April 3.
Boyce grants a motion from Lori’s attorneys to take death penalty off the table. The judge says the main reason is due to a large amount of evidence that prosecutors turned over late. This would not allow her team enough time to go through it all before trial.
Lori’s trial begins in Ada County on April 3. You can find summaries of witness testimony and details of each day here.
On May 12, a jury finds Lori guilty of first-degree murder of JJ and Tylee. She is also found guilty of conspiring to commit the murders of JJ, Tylee and Tammy and grand theft.
A few days after the verdict, a juror speaks with EastIdahoNews.com and says “if there was a face to evil, it was hers.
In mid-May, Arizona officials release information that a grand jury indicted Lori on Feb. 24, 2022 for conspiracy to commit the murder of Brandon Boudreaux..
On July 31, Boyce orders Lori to serve three life sentences without parole. Family members of the victims speak during the sentencing hearing and, for the first time, Lori addresses the public and quotes Bible verses about how people should not judge each other.
Lori is moved to the Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center on Aug. 1.
In September, Lori files an appeal and asks the Idaho Supreme Court to examine her case, guilty verdict and sentence.
In October, Boyce orders JJ’s remains to be turned over to his family. Tylee’s remains are released in December.
On Nov. 29, Boyce rules courtroom cameras will livestream Chad Daybell’s trial to the public when it begins April 1, 2024 in Boise.
On Nov. 29, Maricopa County Sheriff deputies transport Lori from the Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center to the Maricopa County Jail in Arizona where she is processed and booked. During a news conference, the sheriff says once Lori’s case is over in Arizona, she will return to Idaho.
Lori pleads not guilty to all Arizona charges on Dec. 7.
2024
Less than three months before trial, John Prior, Chad’s attorney, files a motion to withdraw from the case. Boyce denies it.
After staying in the Fremont County Jail for nearly four years, Chad Daybell is moved to the Ada County Jail in Boise on March 21 in preparation for his trial.
Jury selection begins in Chad’s murder trial on April 1. Twelve jurors and six alternates are picked and opening statements begin April 10.
After a seven-week trial, the jury deliberates for around six hours and finds Chad guilty of all charges on Thursday, May 30. The sentencing phase then begins and several witnesses are called on behalf of the prosecution. Chad does not testify or read any statements during his trial
The jury deliberates and sentences Daybell to death on Saturday, June 1. He is moved to an Idaho Department of Correction maximum security facility to await his execution.
On June 17, Judge Boyce permanently seals 97 exhibits, including photos taken during the autopsies of Joshua “JJ” Vallow, Tylee Ryan and Tammy Daybell. Pictures of the human remains found on Daybell’s property are also permanently sealed.
A nonprofit organization purchases Chad’s property. His home and other structures are torn down on Sept. 20 to turn the area into a “positive place where such a tragedy occurred.”
On Oct. 7, Colby Ryan posts a phone call online that he had with his mother from jail where she claims nobody was murdered and she is fulfilling “a divine mission.”
In December, Arizona Judge Justin Beresky grants Lori’s request that she represent herself as her own attorney during her trial in Maricopa County. Two advisory attorneys will assist Lori.
2025
Lori grants a television interview with “Dateline” correspondent Keith Morrison. He travels to the Maricopa County Jail and speaks with the convicted murderer for 90 minutes. The two-hour episode airs on March 7 and Morrison says it’s unlike any other interview he has conducted during his prestigious career.
You should also look into the Rebecca Grossman case. We can talk offline. Happened in my hometown