Tracing the Relationships in the Chad and Lori Daybell Mystery
Navigating the Twists and Turns as day 7 approaches, we ask whos who?
Lori Daybell and Chad Daybell have become infamous for their involvement in a tragic and chilling case. Both were found guilty of the deaths of Lori’s two youngest children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, as well as Chad’s first wife, in the haunting state of Idaho. Lori has received multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole, while Chad faces the ultimate penalty—death. However, the story doesn't end there. Currently, Lori is representing herself in a nail-biting trial in Arizona, where she is charged with the murder of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and conspiring to kill her niece's ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux.
As this jaw-dropping saga unfolds, some witnesses from the earlier trials of Chad and Lori are expected to testify once again in Arizona. Let’s take a closer look at the complex background of Lori Vallow Daybell and the tumultuous path that led her here.
LORI VALLOW DAYBELL
Born on June 26, 1973, to Janis and Barry Cox, Lori was the middle child in a family of five. Her tumultuous love life began early; she married her high school sweetheart at just 19 years old. Over the years, she tied the knot five times, with her first marriage to Nelson Yanes in 1992 ending shortly after. Lori’s second husband was William Lagioia, whom she wed on October 22, 1995. During this marriage, she gave birth to her first son, Colby, but they divorced just a few years later in 1998.
In 2001, Lori married Joseph Ryan in Hawaii, although they lived in Texas. On September 24, 2002, they welcomed their daughter, Tylee Ryan, into the world. However, their union ended in divorce in May 2005. Lori then married her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, in Las Vegas on February 24, 2006. In a heartwarming turn of events, the couple adopted JJ in 2013 from Charles' sister and her husband, who were JJ’s grandparents.
The family settled in Arizona in 2016, where they appeared to build a life together with Tylee and JJ. But in a shocking twist, three years later, Charles filed for divorce, raising alarms about Lori’s mental health. Tragedy struck on July 11, 2019, when Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed Charles. Just a few months later, in November, Lori married Chad Daybell.
Once a beautician by trade, Lori's life took a dark turn as prosecutors allege she abandoned her career and resorted to stealing Social Security benefits to maintain her lifestyle. As the layers of this harrowing tale unravel, the courtroom drama continues to captivate the public's attention, revealing the depths of a family's disintegration and the tragic consequences that followed.
Chad Daybell
Chad Daybell, a notable member of the LDS Church and a self-published author with a flair for doomsday-themed fiction, found himself at the center of a sensational legal drama in Idaho. Charged alongside his wife, Lori, his case was ultimately separated from hers, adding a twist to their already complex story. Chad's journey began on March 9, 1990, when he married Tammy Daybell. Together, they welcomed five children into the world, building a family while navigating various professional paths. Interestingly, during his college years, Chad took a part-time job at The Evergreen Cemetery, where he eventually became the cemetery sexton. In 2004, Chad and Tammy ventured into the world of publishing by founding the Spring Creek Book Company. Tammy played a crucial role as Chief Financial Officer, supporting Chad's writing endeavors. It was at a 2018 conference in Utah, however, that Chad's life took a dramatic turn. There, he met Lori, and the chemistry was undeniable—the two felt an “instant connection,” with friends reporting that they claimed to have been married in past lives. Chad's beliefs were as striking as his fiction. He preached a unique perspective on light and dark, captivating his followers with tales of zombies. According to Chad, these entities could possess individuals, and the only way to rid oneself of a zombie was drastic: destroy the person’s body. This chilling testimony emerged during his trial, shedding light on the bizarre reality that surrounded him.
Chad Daybell: Murder defendant…. and prolific author? More here.
Charles Vallow
Lori married her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, on February 24, 2006, in Las Vegas. Charles adopted JJ from his sister, Kay Woodcock, who is JJ’s grandmother. In 2014, the family, including Lori, relocated to Hawaii, where they operated a small business in Kauai. However, two years later, they returned to Arizona with the kids. On January 30, 2019, Charles proactively called the police as he was heading home to express his grave concerns about a drastic change in Lori’s behavior. The police report indicates that he conveyed his worries of a potential mental breakdown, stating that Lori believed the second coming of Christ was imminent and that she was destined to lead The 144,000 into the Millennium. Upon arriving home, Charles discovered his truck missing and his bank account drained, prompting him to file for divorce just one week later.
Tragically, on July 11, 2019, Lori's older brother, Alex Cox, fatally shot Charles during a confrontation with Lori after picking JJ up from school. During this altercation, Alex claimed that Charles struck him with a bat. Allegedly, in self-defense, Alex retrieved a gun from his bedroom and shot Charles. A probable cause statement from the Chandler Police Department highlighted that no emergency aid was rendered to Charles, who was left bleeding on the floor for approximately 43 minutes before help was summoned. He succumbed to his injuries.
Tammy Daybell
Tammy's story begins in the sun-kissed streets of Pasadena, California, where she spent her childhood before relocating to the serene landscapes of Springville, Utah, at the age of 13. It was at Brigham Young University that her paths crossed with Chad Daybell, setting the stage for a life intertwined with mystery.
On a chilling evening, October 9, 2019, Tammy found herself facing a terrifying ordeal. A man cloaked in black, with a ski mask concealing his identity, confronted her outside her home, brandishing a gun and firing multiple shots. Miraculously, Tammy emerged unscathed, but investigators suspected that Chad had orchestrated this shocking event.
Just ten days later, a tragic twist unfolded as Tammy was discovered dead in her home in Rexburg, Idaho. Her burial took place without an autopsy, raising eyebrows when it was later revealed that Chad had recently increased her life insurance policy. An investigation led to the exhumation of her body, and prosecutors unveiled a harrowing conclusion during Lori’s trial: Tammy had died of asphyxiation. The once quiet life of Tammy took a dark turn, leaving a trail of unanswered questions in its wake.
Tylee Ryan
Tylee's story begins in the sun-kissed streets of Pasadena, California, where she spent her childhood before relocating to the serene landscapes of Springville, Utah, at the age of 13. It was at Brigham Young University that her paths crossed with Chad Daybell, setting the stage for a life intertwined with mystery.
On a chilling evening, October 9, 2019, Tylee found herself facing a terrifying ordeal. A man cloaked in black, with a ski mask concealing his identity, confronted her outside her home, brandishing a gun and firing multiple shots. Miraculously, Tylee emerged unscathed, but investigators suspected that Chad had orchestrated this shocking event.
Just ten days later, a tragic twist unfolded as Tylee was discovered dead in her home in Rexburg, Idaho. Her burial took place without an autopsy, raising eyebrows when it was later revealed that Chad had recently increased her life insurance policy. An investigation led to the exhumation of her body, and prosecutors unveiled a harrowing conclusion during Lori’s trial: Tylee had died of asphyxiation. The once quiet life of Tylee took a dark turn, leaving a trail of unanswered questions in its wake.
JJ Ryan
On May 25, 2012, a bright smile named JJ Vallow entered the world, eventually finding a warm and loving home with his grandparents, Larry and Kay Woodcock. However, the mystery of his biological parents continues to linger, casting a shadow over his story, as detailed in reports by Court TV. In a tragic twist of fate, the shooting death of Charles Vallow led detectives to unveil a chilling affidavit that paints a haunting picture of JJ's life. Excitedly, he was set to start a new chapter in his education—a specialized Individual Education Plan (IEP)—tailored to support his journey with autism at a local elementary school in Rexburg, ready to begin in September 2019.
However, that hopeful future dimmed dramatically when September 22, 2019, arrived. It was on this fateful day that Melanie Gibb and her boyfriend, David Warwick, last saw JJ. In a revealing conversation, Lori Vallow expressed troubling concerns about JJ’s behavior. She suggested that his ability to sit quietly and increase his vocabulary could indicate darker forces at play—that perhaps he was possessed and ensnared by evil. Warwick vividly recalls the last time he laid eyes on JJ; the little boy was peacefully asleep in the arms of Alex Cox. A concerning turn of events unfolded when Lori called Alex to come and get JJ after witnessing him climbing cabinets and accidentally toppling her beloved statue of Christ. This moment would mark the last confirmed sighting of JJ alive, creating a haunting void and a deep sense of loss for all who cherished him. Despite the promise of his upcoming education and growth potential, JJ seemed to vanish without a trace, leaving behind heartache and unanswered questions.
Alex Cox
Alex Cox, Lori’s oldest brother, was born on May 4, 1970. He met Zulema Pastenes in 2018, and after approximately one year of dating, they eloped in Las Vegas. Before his death, he was employed as a truck driver.
Alex openly admitted to shooting Charles Vallow, claiming it was in self-defense. In police recordings, he asserted that Charles had attacked him with a bat, prompting him to grab a gun and fire. However, evidence at the scene contradicted his account, and Alex passed away before any charges could be filed.
Investigators have indicated that Alex may have been involved in a shooting incident targeting Tammy Daybell on October 9, 2019. On December 12, 2019, Zulema received a text from a friend stating they had blessed Alex and expressed concern about his health. Zulema’s son, Joseph, discovered Alex vomiting in the master bathroom and promptly called 911.
Emergency responders took Alex to the hospital, where he subsequently died. An autopsy revealed no obvious signs of trauma, and the cause of death was determined to be bilateral pulmonary thromboembolism and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, classified as natural causes. Zulema Pastenes confidently married Alex Cox on November 29, 2019, just two weeks prior to his death.
During her testimony, Zulema stated that she was an integral member of Chad and Lori’s inner circle, actively engaging in “castings” for individuals believed to be possessed by evil spirits or turned into zombies. She made it clear that she no longer subscribes to the beliefs surrounding those castings.
Colby Ryan
Colby Ryan, born on April 8, 1996, is the only surviving child of Lori Vallow Daybell. He was fathered by William Lagioia but took on his stepfather's last name. Colby became emotional while testifying at his mother’s trial, reflecting on his happy childhood.
Although he no longer lived at home when his siblings went missing, Colby testified that he maintained contact with Tylee through text messages. In a recorded phone call with his mother during her time in jail, Colby confrontedd her, calling her a murderer and challenging her lies. On September 3, 2022, Colby faced charges for sexual assault related to an alleged incident on August 31, when a woman claimed he raped her. However, those charges were dropped on September 14.
Now, more than five years after the 2019 crimes, Colby, is still grappling with the aftermath. In a March 7 Dateline episode, Colby opened up about how his view of the world has changed since his mother's crimes.
In the 2022 Netflix docuseries Sins of Our Mother, Colby explained that because his parents had a "bad relationship," Lori "removed" him from the situation. She soon married her third husband, Joe Ryan, and she and Colby moved into his home.
"He was really sweet and outgoing," Colby said. "It sounded good to be a family. That's what I wanted my whole life. I think that's what my mom wanted. We just wanted a big family that was happy."
Colby recalled Joe getting "annoyed" by him over time, leading their relationship to turn abusive. Colby said that it got to the point where he would "punch [him] in the back of the head."
He and his mom eventually took off, but Colby recalled telling her about the sexual abuse he experienced by Joe, and her being "silent."
"I just remember feeling like I did something wrong," he said. "I just felt like I ruined her life. That's where it started. That was like the breaking point for her."
Ultimately, it was her anger toward her ex-husband that led her to get more involved in the church.
When Colby took the stand during his mother’s murder trial in April 2023, he painted a poignant picture of their once-close relationship. He described how Lori was a protector for her children, a steadfast supporter throughout his formative years. However, he noted that everything changed when she met Chad, leading to a dramatic shift in their family dynamic.
In January 2020, as the search for his missing siblings, Tylee and J.J., intensified, Colby made an impassioned YouTube video. In it, he pleaded with his mother to come forward and help authorities locate his siblings, showing the world the pain and confusion he felt amidst the chaos.
Fast forward to 2023, Colby found himself testifying against Lori, grappling with the devastating reality of her actions. His anger and heartache were palpable as he confronted the woman who had once been his protector but now stood accused of the unimaginable: the deaths of his beloved siblings. In April 2022, Colby Vallow released a heartfelt book titled *The God Over Odds*, where he candidly shares his transformative journey from being the “Son of cult mom Lori Vallow-Daybell” to embracing his identity as a Man of God. He often uses his YouTube channel to reflect on his mother’s case, providing insights and sharing his emotions about his testimony and the poignant moments captured during their jailhouse phone calls.
In the final episode of *Sins of Our Mother*, Colby, along with his wife Kelsee and their eldest child Ryley, held a touching memorial in Hawaii to honor the memory of Charles, JJ, and Tylee. This gathering served as a meaningful way to remember and celebrate their lives, filled with love and reflection.
Kay Woodcock grandmother.
Kay Woodcock, the devoted sister of Charles Vallow and loving grandmother to JJ Vallow, found herself in a harrowing situation in November 2019. When the regular phone calls with her beloved grandson suddenly stopped, she and her husband, Larry, grew increasingly worried and contacted the police in Idaho for a welfare check on JJ.
In a gripping turn of events, Kay was the first witness to take the stand during Lori’s trial. She shared poignant memories of Lori as a caring mother, reflecting on the early days filled with love. JJ, who was born with disabilities and diagnosed with autism, had always held a special place in her heart. However, after Charles's tragic death, Kay's unease grew; she feared that Lori’s love for her son was fading. Her testimony revealed the deep complexities of family ties and the heartbreaking shifts that can unfold in the aftermath of loss.
Melani Pawlowski and Brandon Boudreaux
Melani is Lori’s niece, the daughter of Lori’s sister, Stacey Cox Cope. Previously, Melani was married to Brandon Boudreaux. In June 2019, Melani confronted Boudreaux, accusing him of being “gay” and using drugs. In response, Boudreaux suggested that she seek a mental evaluation. By July 2019, the couple had filed for divorce. According to police reports, Lori, Chad, and Alex engaged in discussions with Melani about Boudreaux, referring to him as having a “dark” soul. Investigators believe that by September 2019, this group began plotting Boudreaux's murder.
The investigation revealed that they altered the Jeep belonging to the deceased Charles Vallow by tinting the windows and removing the backseat, intending to use it in an assassination attempt on Boudreaux. According to Boudreaux’s testimony during Lori’s trial, on October 2, 2019, after coming home from the gym, he spotted the modified Jeep. He recounted that Alex rolled down the back window, aimed a gun at him, and fired, though Boudreaux fortunately was not injured.
As a result of the incident, Lori and Chad were charged with attempted first-degree murder, while Alex would have faced charges too but died before they could be filed. Melani, however, was not charged. On November 30, 2019, Melani married Ian Pawlowski.
Melanie Gibb
Melanie Gibb was one of Lori’s closest friends and a key member of her and Chad’s inner circle. During Lori’s trial, Gibb testified that she participated in castings and may have been among the last people to see JJ alive.
Gibb recounted how she had been visiting Lori with her boyfriend, David Warwick, when Alex took JJ from Lori's home, claiming the child had been acting out.
When the police inquired about JJ’s whereabouts, Lori mentioned Melanie’s name. Gibb later informed the officers that she did not have the child and that he had not been left in her care. In a recorded phone call, Gibb confronted Lori directly, asking for JJ’s location, but Lori only insisted that he was “safe” and “happy.”
April Raymond
April Raymond, a devoted Sunday School teacher in Hawaii, found herself intertwined in a dramatic tale as she took the witness stand during Lori’s trial. The two women had met at a local branch of the LDS Church, where they initially bonded over shared beliefs. However, as their friendship developed, things took a strange turn.
Raymond recounted a conversation with Lori about her tumultuous divorce from Charles, during which Lori claimed that her estranged husband was under the influence of a spirit named “Ned Snyder.” This revelation sent shivers down Raymond's spine as she reflected on Lori’s increasingly unusual ideas.
During a pivotal trip in 2019, Raymond felt as though Lori was “subtly grooming” her, attempting to draw her into a web of unconventional beliefs that felt foreign and uncomfortable. One chilling moment stood out: Lori's insistence that she was “done” with JJ, a statement that left Raymond feeling unsettled.
Recognizing the alarming direction of their friendship, Raymond made a conscious decision to step back. She was resolute in her refusal to partake in Lori’s growing circle, choosing instead to distance herself from the captivating yet concerning influence of her former friend.
The others.
In the unfolding drama surrounding Sarena Sharpe, a compelling friendship blossomed between her and Lori, a connection that was underscored by testimonies from Melanie Gibb and Zulema Pastenes regarding the group's castings. During a recorded police interview, Sharpe recounted her initial meeting with Lori, Chad, and Gibb at a conference. With conviction, she shared how Lori introduced her to ideas that veered away from traditional LDS teachings, ideas that Sharpe eagerly embraced at the time.
Samantha Gwilliam, the only sister of Tammy Daybell, brought forth an emotional recounting in court. She expressed her heartbreak over Tammy's swift funeral arrangements, which prevented some family members from attending. Samantha was particularly shaken by Chad's quick remarriage following Tammy’s death. “The last conversation I had with Chad was in December 2019,” she testified. “It was just to ask him to stop lying about what was going on.”
The witnesses Alice and Todd Gilbert, Chad’s neighbors just down the street, painted a vivid picture of the shifts they observed in him throughout 2019. They recalled how Chad confided in them about a vision he experienced, foretelling Tammy’s death before she turned 50. Just a week after Tammy’s passing, Alice and Todd met Lori for the first time and were taken aback by the overt affection that flourished between her and Chad.
Then there was Audrey Barattiero, an ardent follower of Chad who first encountered him at an event in St. George, where she learned about his authorship and eagerly bought some of his books. Barattiero testified during Lori’s trial that her friendship with Lori deepened, and she even stayed with her several times. However, things took a dark turn when she was approached to participate in castings, prompting discomfort. When she decided to leave, Lori allegedly issued a chilling threat. As Barattiero gathered her belongings, she inquired about any strange occurrences. Lori's nonchalant dismissal — “No, what do you mean?” — was soon overshadowed by her laughter, leaving Barattiero feeling unsettled, as Lori teasingly remarked, “You’re so naive.”
The situation escalated when Lori threatened Barattiero’s life, chillingly saying, “She would cut me up and something about not being in the mental place to do that. … Something about trash bags and then she would bury me.” The tense atmosphere of these testimonies paints a haunting picture of the relationships and events surrounding this case.
What's happening now?
Lori is already convicted in Idaho for murdering her children and her husband Chad Daybell's first wife, Tammy. Chad receiving the death penalty and Lori receiving two life sentences. Lori Vallow Daybell was extradited to Arizona after her Idaho convictions in 2023. Where she is on trial, legally representing herself, for conspiring to kill her former husband, Charles Vallow. Day seven will begin tomorrow (4/16). In this second week of testimony; key witnesses will speak. Including a Special Agent from the Social Security Administration investigating Vallow Daybell for fraud, an insurance agent she spoke with about her husband's life insurance, and a Chandler police detective who interviewed her after Charles Vallow's murder in 2019. Following Charles death, others connected to Lori Vallow Daybell also died. Like her brother. Who is believed killed Charles's for Lori so she could get that insurance claim.
