Lori Vallow Daybell verdict: ‘Cult mom’ found guilty of murdering her children
Rachel Schilke
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Lori Vallow Daybell was found guilty of murdering her two children and conspiring to kill her husband’s ex-wife on Friday.
An Idaho jury unanimously found Vallow Daybell, 49, guilty on all counts, including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of her children, Joshua “J.J.” Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 16. The jury also found her guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Tammy Daybell, Chad Daybell’s ex-wife, and grand theft.
Jury deliberations began on Thursday afternoon following the prosecution’s closing remarks. Jurors reached a verdict on Friday after seven hours. The defense rested its case on Tuesday and made a motion for an acquittal, but it was denied by Judge Steven Boyce.
During the reading of the verdict, Vallow Daybell remained stoic and did not convey much emotion.
The remains of J.J. Vallow and Ryan were found buried on Chad Daybell’s property in June 2020. Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell were indicted and charged with murder, conspiracy, and grand theft related to the children’s deaths in May 2021. Both pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The couple was also accused of stealing Social Security benefits from the children.
The couple’s trials were severed in March, and the death penalty has been taken off the table. Boyce said Vallow Daybell’s sentencing for the murders will come at a later date, likely in three months.
No video or photos were allowed throughout the trial, but the judge allowed Friday’s verdict to be live-streamed.
During the trial that lasted almost over a month, prosecutors presented several pieces of evidence, including the cause of death for J.J. Vallow and Ryan.
Forensic pathologists revealed during the third week of the trial that J.J. Vallow died from asphyxiation, and his remains were found with a bag wrapped around his head and duct tape over his mouth. Ryan died from “homicide by unspecified means,” but her remains were charred, and investigators believe she was dismembered and burned following her death.
DNA analysis found a match of Vallow Daybell’s hair stuck to the adhesive found on J.J. Vallow’s body, as well.
Vallow Daybell’s views on the afterlife were put forward as a motive for the murders and were a consistent theme throughout her trial. Her beliefs in “zombie children” also played a role.
Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell allegedly believed the children were possessed by evil spirits and that if they prayed, a possessed person would physically die, freeing their trapped souls from “limbo.”
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The defense presented no evidence or witnesses to aid in Vallow Daybell’s defense, and Vallow Daybell did not testify.
Vallow Daybell is also charged with conspiracy to commit murder in her husband Charles Vallow’s death in a separate case in Arizona, which is on hold while the case in Idaho plays out.