What did Lori Vallow Daybell do? A full timeline of the "doomsday mom" case
Today, people know Lori Vallow Daybell as the so-called "doomsday mom," stemming from coverage of her children's disappearance and deaths. She's been called a "monster" and a "cult mom."
Vallow Daybell, accused along with her husband Chad Daybell, was sentenced to life without parole after an Idaho jury found her guilty in May 2023 on all charges for her role in the deaths of her 16-year-old daughter, Tylee Ryan; her 7-year-old adopted son, Joshua "JJ" Vallow; and her husband's first wife, Tammy Daybell. She had pleaded not guilty. In May 2024, Chad Daybell was convicted on al counts.
The married couple also face other charges related to the mysterious deaths of their former spouses. Both pleaded not guilty.
2006: Happily married
Before all the notoriety, Lori married businessman Charles Vallow. Friends say it appeared to be a happy marriage. Together, the couple was raising Tylee Ryan, Lori's daughter from a previous marriage.
2014: JJ Joins the family
Lori and Charles Vallow adopted JJ Vallow. He was the grandson of Charles' sister. JJ had autism and April Raymond, who was Lori's friend, says Lori was "patient," an ideal mother for him.
Vaisia Itaaehau met the Vallow family when they lived in Arizona. She says Tylee embraced her role as a big sister, that Tylee even jokingly referred to JJ as her own child.
2017: Family dynamics change
Sometime around 2017, relatives say Lori Vallow's relationship with her children changed. Her friends say she had been reading the books of doomsday author Chad Daybell. Daybell, who wrote several fiction books about preparing for the end of the world, lived outside Rexburg, Idaho.
2018: Lori Vallow meets Chad Daybell
Sometime in 2018, Lori Vallow met Chad Daybell. Lori Vallow's friends say there was a connection between the two and they began doing religious podcasts together. Daybell was also married. Together with his wife Tammy Daybell, he was raising five children.
Lori Vallow's friend Melanie Gibb would later say she heard Chad Daybell and Lori talking about "zombies"— people whose souls were replaced by "dark spirits." Lori's former friend, April Raymond, told "48 Hours" that Lori started referring to her husband, Charles Vallow, as a "demon."
2019: Seeking help
In 2019, Charles Vallow became very worried about Lori, and he went to the police with his concerns. He told them Lori believed she was a "god" preparing for the end of days. He also said Lori had threatened to murder him.
February 2019: Charles Vallow's fears
Charles Vallow filed for a divorce from Lori. In court documents, Charles expressed that he feared for his and the children's safety.
July 2019: A death investigation
Charles Vallow went to the house where Lori Vallow was living with the children in Chandler, Arizona. Charles was supposed to drop their son JJ off at school. But when he went inside the home, Charles was shot dead by Lori's brother, Alex Cox.
Cox told police that Lori and Charles got into a fight. Alex claimed he was protecting his sister and shot Charles in self-defense. Lori and Tylee — who both say they heard the shooting — told similar stories of self-defense.
September 2019
Lori Vallow moved closer to Chad Daybell. She relocated her kids to Rexburg, Idaho. Lori's brother, Alex Cox, moved into the same apartment complex.
Sept. 8, 2019: Tylee Ryan vanishes
Lori Vallow, Tylee, JJ, and Alex Cox went to Yellowstone National Park. Police say this is where the last known photo of Tylee was taken before she vanished. Melanie Gibb has said that Lori had referred to Tylee as a "zombie."
Sept. 9, 2019:
The morning after Tylee Ryan disappeared, investigators say that Alex Cox's cellphone GPS placed him in Chad Daybell's backyard, on the property for about 2 hours. About 14 minutes after Cox's GPS showed him leaving the property, Chad Daybell texted his wife, Tammy Daybell. The text read: "… I spotted a big racoon [sic] along the fence. I hurried and got my gun, and he was still walking along. I got close enough that one shot did the trick. He is now in our pet cemetery…"
Sept. 22, 2019: JJ Vallow disappears
Police say JJ Vallow was last seen on Sept. 22, 2019.
Melanie Gibb says that she and her boyfriend, David Warwick, were staying with Lori Vallow in Rexburg that weekend. On the night of Sept. 22, Warwick says he saw Alex Cox carry JJ into Lori's apartment. But the next morning, according to Warwick, when he asked to see JJ, Lori reportedly told them that JJ was "being a zombie" and that Cox had to take him away.
Sept. 23, 2019
The day after JJ was last seen, investigators say Alex Cox's cellphone showed that Cox returned to Chad Daybell's backyard. This time, Cox was there for only 17 minutes.
Oct. 19, 2019: Another death
With Lori Vallow's children's whereabouts unknown, tragedy struck Chad Daybell's family. Daybell's wife, Tammy Daybell, died. The couple's son, Garth Daybell, said Tammy died in bed and that he and Chad called 911.
The Daybell children told "48 Hours" they declined an autopsy. They say the coroner told them Tammy's death appeared to be natural causes. They believed that because they say their mom was in ill health prior to her death.
Nov. 5, 2019: Chad and Lori wed
Roughly two weeks later, Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell got married on a beach in Hawaii.
Later that month, JJ's grandmother, Kay Woodcock, asked police to check on JJ's welfare. Woodcock said she was concerned and hadn't heard from JJ in months.
Nov. 26, 2019: Missing kids
Rexburg police went to Lori Vallow Daybell's house looking for JJ. Police say Vallow Daybell lied to them, claiming that JJ was safe and staying in Arizona with her friend, Melanie Gibb. At first, Gibb wasn't forthcoming about JJ's whereabouts but later called police and told them JJ hadn't been with her.
While Rexburg police attempted to locate JJ, investigators soon realized that his sister, Tylee Ryan was also missing, and launched a nationwide search for the children.
December 2019
While investigators searched for the missing children, Lori and Chad Daybell traveled back to Hawaii.
In December 2019, Fremont County Sheriff's Investigators grew suspicious about Tammy Daybell's death. They exhumed her body to conduct an autopsy.
That same month, Lori's brother, Alex Cox, died in Arizona. It was determined he died of natural causes.
Jan. 25, 2020
Authorities served Lori Vallow Daybell an order requiring her to produce her children.
Feb. 20, 2020: An arrest
After failing to comply, Lori Vallow Daybell was arrested in Hawaii. Two weeks later, she was extradited to Idaho.
June 9, 2020: Searching Chad Daybell's backyard
Even after Vallow Daybell's arrest, the couple refused to say where the children were. On June 9, 2020, the FBI, Rexburg Police and Fremont County Sheriff's Office descended upon Chad Daybell's home and property.
Authorities dug in areas of the backyard where Alex Cox's cellphone had pinged in September 2019. Tragically, they uncovered human remains buried in shallow graves.
JJ Vallow had been buried under a tree and about 50 yards away; investigators found Tylee's grave in the Daybell's pet cemetery. Prosecutors believe she was buried in the same location Chad Daybell referenced when he texted Tammy Daybell nine months earlier, saying he was burying a raccoon.
Investigators dug up part of the pet cemetery and found no raccoon. But Daybell's family told" 48 Hours" there was a second pet cemetery on the property that was not searched.
Chad Daybell was arrested.
June 2020
Authorities later confirmed that they identified the remains as JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan. A memorial was built along the Daybell's fence to honor the victims.
May 2021
Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell were charged with first-degree murder for the deaths of JJ and Tylee. Daybell was also charged with murdering his first wife, Tammy Daybell.
June 2021: Chad Daybell in court
Chad Daybell pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
June 2021: Lori Vallow Daybell's case on hold
Lori Vallow Daybell was also charged with conspiring to murder Charles Vallow. That same month, a judge ruled Lori incompetent to stand trial while she receives mental health treatment. She had not yet entered a plea; her case was on hold.
August 2021: Awaiting trial
Prosecutors announced they will seek the death penalty against Chad Daybell. Daybell is jailed, awaiting trial.
September 2021: Speaking out
Chad and Tammy Daybell's children — speaking publicly for the first time together — told "48 Hours" they believe their father is innocent. Daybell's daughter, Emma Murray, says she believes Chad was framed by Alex Cox and Lori Vallow Daybell.
April 11, 2022: Lori Vallow Daybell fit to stand trial
Judge Steven Boyce ruled Lori Vallow Daybell is now mentally competent to stand trial in the Idaho murder case. He did not provide other details about her treatment or mental condition. She is scheduled to be formally arraigned in court next week and both Lori and Chad Daybell are set to stand trial together early next year.
April 19, 2022: Judge enters plea on Lori Vallow Daybell's behalf
Lori Vallow Daybell refused to enter a plea to murder and other charges, prompting Judge Steven Boyce to enter a not guilty plea on her behalf. Vallow Daybell and her husband, Chad Daybell, were both at the courthouse in the eastern Idaho town of St. Anthony for court proceedings; Vallow Daybell for an arraignment that was delayed for months while she underwent treatment at a mental health facility, and Chad Daybell for a hearing over the trial venue.
May 4, 2022: Lori Vallow Daybell could face death penalty
Lori Vallow Daybell will qualify for capital punishment if she is convicted at her trial later this year because the slayings were exceptionally depraved and carried out for financial gain, according to court documents filed by prosecuting attorneys from Fremont and Madison counties on May 2.
Aug. 16, 2022: Lori Vallow Daybell's attorney's seek change in charges
Attorneys for Lori Vallow Daybell asked a judge to send the case back to a grand jury because they say that the conspiracy charges are oddly constructed and could confuse a jury. Daybell and her husband Chad Daybell have pleaded not guilty to murder, conspiracy and grand theft charges in connection with the deaths of 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan.
Sept. 23, 2022: Cameras to be banned from courtroom
Seventh District Judge Steven Boyce has banned cameras from the courtroom in the criminal case of Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell, saying he fears the images could prevent a fair trial. The Idaho judge said news organizations will no longer be able to shoot still photography or videos inside the courtroom.
Jan. 7, 2023: Judge: Lori Vallow Daybell, Chad Daybell not allowed to meet face-to-face
Judge Steven Boyce rejected a request from Lori Vallow Daybell's attorneys that she and her husband be allowed to meet in person and on the phone to discuss strategies and settlement options. Attorneys for Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell presented several requests during a motion hearing including that the trial be delayed until 2024 - a request from Chad Daybell's attorneys - and that the death penalty be taken off the table - a request from Lori Vallow Daybell's lawyers.
March 2023: Two trials to be held
Judge Steven Boyce granted a motion by Chad Daybell's attorneys to sever the trials, meaning separate trials will be held. Lori Vallow Daybell's trial is scheduled to start on April 3. Chad Daybell's trial has not yet been scheduled.
March 21, 2023: Lori Vallow Daybell will not face death penalty in upcoming trial
Prosecutors were seeking the death penalty for both defendants, but Lori Vallow Daybell's attorneys said it should be taken off the table in her case because they will not have time to fully review a large amount of evidence that was turned over in recent weeks. During a hearing, Judge Steven Boyce agreed. He noted that Vallow Daybell has not waived her right to a speedy trial, so the proceeding could not be rescheduled to give her defense team ample time to review the evidence. The death penalty still applies to Chad Daybell's case.
April 3, 2023: Jury Lori Vallow Daybell's trial begins
Attorneys began selecting 18 potential jurors for the trial of Lori Vallow Daybell, charged in what prosecutors say was a doomsday-focused plot. Authorities summoned 1,800 potential jurors to the courthouse in late March, requiring each of them to complete a 20-page questionnaire in hopes of winnowing out anyone unable to fairly try the case. Ultimately, 12 jurors and six alternates are hearing the case.
On April 10, the prosecution and defense in the trial of Lori Vallow Daybell made their opening arguments to a jury in Boise, Idaho.
May 12, 2023: Guilty on all charges
An Idaho jury found Lori Vallow Daybell, the mom charged with murder in the deaths of two of her children, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow, guilty on all charges. Vallow Daybell, 49, was also charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of the children and the death of her husband's first wife, Tammy Daybell. She was also accused of stealing Social Security payments issued for the children.
For more from the trial, CBS News coverage includes compelling moments from testimony and each day's proceedings on its YouTube channel, along with weekly podcast updates from the "48 Hours" team.
June 2, 2023: Trial date set for Chad Daybell
Chad Daybell will face trial nearly a year after his wife. Judge Steven Boyce, who is overseeing both cases, set his trial date for April 1, 2024.
He, too, will be tried at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho.
July 31, 2023: Lori Vallow Daybell sentenced
Lori Vallow Daybell was sentenced to life without parole, the maximum penalty, on the charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. She was also given a 10-year sentence for grand theft as well as ordered to pay more than $50,000, including fines, a civil penalty for each of the three victims and restitution.
"You had so many other options. You could have gotten divorced; you could have found someone else to take care of those kids. And as the state was able to prove at trial, you chose the most evil and destructive path possible," said Judge Steven Boyce at the sentencing.
"You justified all of this by going down a bizarre religious rabbit hole, and clearly you are still down there," he said.
Dec. 7, 2023: Lori Vallow Daybell arraigned in two separate cases
Lori Vallow Daybell was charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the 2019 death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, who died after police say he was shot by her brother, Alexander Lamar Cox. Cox claimed he shot Vallow in self-defense.
Daybell and Cox, who also died in 2019, were also accused of trying to murder her niece's husband, Brandon Boudreaux, who was shot at in 2019 while driving near his home. She also faces a charge of conspiracy to commit murder in that case. Boudreaux was unhurt in the incident.
The court entered pleas of not guilty for Daybell on both charges.
June 1, 2024: Chad Daybell sentenced to death
Chad Daybell was sentenced to death on June 1, 2024, nearly a year after his second wife, Lori Vallow Daybell, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison,
On May 30, Daybell was convicted of first-degree murder of his first wife, Tammy Daybell, and two of his then-girlfriend Lori Vallow's children, Joshua "JJ" Vallow and Tylee Ryan, as well as for conspiracy in the murders and of insurance fraud.