The Tragic Story of JJ Vallow: A Timeline of His Life and Disappearance

Birth and Adoption:
Joshua “JJ” Vallow was born on May 25, 2012. His early life was spent in the care of his grandparents, Kay and Larry Woodcock, who looked after him for the first 10 months of his life. In 2013, JJ was officially adopted by Lori and Charles Vallow. His biological father was the nephew of Charles Vallow, making JJ his great-nephew.

Lori Vallow’s Behavioral Shift:
By February 2019, Lori Vallow’s behavior took a drastic turn. She abandoned her family for nearly two months, and her husband, Charles Vallow, filed for divorce on February 5, 2019. Around this time, Lori became increasingly involved with Chad Daybell, a religious author with extreme apocalyptic beliefs. She began embracing radical ideologies and distancing herself from her family. Before leaving, Lori reportedly told Charles she no longer cared about him or JJ.

The Death of Charles Vallow:
On July 11, 2019, Charles Vallow was shot and killed in Chandler, Arizona, by Lori’s brother, Alex Cox. Cox claimed that Charles had attacked him with a baseball bat, leading him to shoot in self-defense. Authorities did not charge Cox with any crimes, and shortly after, Lori relocated to Rexburg, Idaho, with her children, including JJ.

Move to Rexburg, Idaho:
Lori moved to Rexburg to be closer to Chad Daybell, who was still married to Tammy Daybell at the time. JJ was enrolled at Kennedy Elementary School in early September 2019, and school officials started working on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for him due to his special needs.

Last Known Recordings and Sightings

• September 17, 2019: A neighbor’s doorbell camera captured JJ playing outside at 565 Pioneer Road.
• September 18, 2019: Lori met with a babysitter and hired her for long-term childcare.
• September 19, 2019: The babysitter watched JJ.
• September 22, 2019 (Night): Friends Melanie Gibb and David Warwick visited Lori to record a podcast. That night, JJ was reportedly acting up, and Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, took him to his apartment. When Cox returned later, he was carrying JJ, who appeared to be asleep.

JJ’s Disappearance:

• September 23, 2019:
• Melanie Gibb asked Lori about JJ’s whereabouts. Lori claimed he was “acting like a zombie” and that Alex had taken him away.
• JJ was marked absent from school.
• Phone records showed Alex Cox’s phone pinged near a pond on Chad Daybell’s property.
• September 24, 2019: Lori called the school, claiming JJ had gone to Louisiana to stay with his grandparents until at least the end of October.
• October 29, 2019: Lori officially withdrew JJ from school, saying he would be home-schooled. However, investigators found no records of any homeschooling at any of Lori’s residences. No school district ever received requests for JJ’s academic records.

Discovery of JJ’s Remains:
On June 9, 2020, authorities searched Chad Daybell’s property in Idaho and made a horrifying discovery:

• JJ was found buried under large flat stones near a tree.
• His body was inside a black plastic bag, wearing red pajamas and socks.
• His mouth was duct-taped shut, and his arms and legs were bound.
• His body showed visible bruising and signs of partial decomposition.

JJ Vallow’s death, along with the disappearance and death of his sister Tylee Ryan, became part of a complex and deeply disturbing criminal case involving Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell, and Alex Cox.

The Tragic Story of Tylee Ryan: A Timeline of Her Life and Disappearance

Early Life and Family Background

Tylee Ashlyn Ryan was born on September 24, 2002, in Texas, to Lori Vallow and Joseph Ryan. As a child, Tylee experienced a turbulent upbringing. In 2007, her parents divorced, and Joseph Ryan was later reported to have been abusive.

Tragedy struck again on April 3, 2018, when Joseph Ryan died of an apparent heart attack in Arizona. His death was initially not considered suspicious, though later investigations raised questions about the circumstances.

Move to Rexburg, Idaho

In 2019, Lori Vallow moved to Rexburg, Idaho, with her children, Tylee and JJ Vallow, to be closer to Chad Daybell, a self-proclaimed religious leader with extreme apocalyptic beliefs.

The Last Known Sighting of Tylee Ryan

• September 8, 2019 – Tylee was last seen alive during a family trip to Yellowstone National Park. She was accompanied by:
• Her mother, Lori Vallow
• Her younger brother, JJ Vallow
• Her uncle, Alex Cox
• The group traveled in Alex Cox’s Ford F-150.
• That evening at 8:37 p.m., Cox’s phone pinged at a restaurant in West Yellowstone, Montana.
• Later that night: They returned to Rexburg, Idaho, where Cox was seen at Lori’s apartment.
• 12:00 a.m. – Alex returned to his own apartment.
• 2:42 a.m. – Alex went back to Lori’s apartment.
• 3:37 a.m. – Alex left Lori’s apartment.
• 4:30 a.m. – Alex returned to his apartment.

This was the last confirmed sighting of Tylee alive.

September 9, 2019 – Suspicious Activity at the Burial Site

The following morning, September 9, 2019, data from Alex Cox’s phone placed him at Chad Daybell’s property near the pet cemetery and fire pit.

• 9:21 a.m. – Alex left his apartment and traveled to Daybell’s property.
• 9:21–11:39 a.m. – Cox’s phone remained in the same area where Tylee’s dismembered and burned remains were later discovered.
• Text Message from Chad Daybell to His Wife, Tammy:
• Just 14 minutes after Alex Cox’s phone left the burial site, Chad sent a suspicious text to his wife:
• “Well, I’ve had an interesting morning! Felt should burn all of the limb debris by the fire pit before it got too soaked by the coming storms. While did so, spotted big raccoon along the fence. Hurried and got my gun, and he was still walking along. Got close enough that one shot did the trick. He is now in our pet cemetery. Fun times!”
• Investigators believe this raccoon story was a cover-up, referencing the disposal of Tylee’s remains rather than the shooting of an animal.

September 23, 2019 – JJ Vallow Disappears

• Tylee’s younger brother, JJ Vallow, was last seen alive.
• Lori and Chad refused to cooperate with authorities, prompting growing concerns from family members.

November–December 2019: Lori and Chad Flee to Hawaii

• As authorities pressed for answers, Lori and Chad fled to Hawaii in December 2019.
• They provided no explanation for the children’s whereabouts.

June 9, 2020 – The Discovery of Tylee Ryan’s Remains

Nearly nine months after her disappearance, investigators conducted a search of Chad Daybell’s property in Rexburg, Idaho.

• Behind a small red outbuilding, authorities excavated human remains in the area Chad had previously called the pet cemetery.
• Forensic analysis confirmed that the remains belonged to Tylee Ryan.
• Her body had been brutally dismembered and burned, making identification difficult.

Criminal Charges and Convictions

• May 2021 – Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell were indicted for the murders of Tylee and JJ.
• July 31, 2023 – Lori Vallow was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
• June 1, 2024 – an Idaho jury sentenced Chad Daybell to death for the 2019 murders of his first wife and his second wife’s two youngest children
• 2025 – Lori Vallow Daybell will face trial in Arizona for conspiracy to commit murder in the 2019 death of her ex-husband, Charles Vallow
  

Lori Vallow Daybell, born Lori Norene Cox on June 26, 1973, in San Bernardino, California, has a history of multiple marriages, each entangled in the dramatic events that later unfolded.

• 1992 – At 19 years old, Lori married her high school sweetheart, Nelson Yanes. Their marriage was short-lived, and they had no children before divorcing.
• 1995– Lori married William Lagioia, with whom she had her first child, Colby Ryan.
• 1996 – The couple divorced in 1996.
• 2001 – Lori married Joseph Ryan, the father of her daughter, Tylee Ryan.
• 2004 – Lori and Joseph Ryan marriage ended in 2004.
• 2005 – Lori married Charles Vallow, with whom she adopted Joshua “JJ” Vallow. Charles had two other children from his previous marriage to Cheryl Wheeler.
• 1990s – Barry Cox (Lori’s father) plead guilty to making a false statement to the IRS. To protect assets from the IRS, Barry put everything in Alex’s name.
  
• 1999 – May 3, 1999, he was sentenced to a prison term of twelve months and one day and ordered to pay the IRS $232,914 in restitution for “the federal income taxes he owed for the 1988, 1989, and 1990 tax years.” Record  Record While he was in jail, Alex Cox refinanced the house and took $250,000, spending it all.
• 2004 – U.S. government sued Barry and Janis, claiming they owed more than $300,000 in back taxes.
• 2008 – A court ruled in the government’s favor in 2008, but the following year, Barry filed an administrative claim refusing to pay.
  
• 2018 – Joseph Ryan died of an apparent heart attack. His death was reexamined when an audio recording surfaced of Lori expressing her desire to kill him, referencing scripture as justification. In the recording, she stated:

“I was going to murder him. I was going to kill him, like the scripture says. Like Nephi killed — just to stop the pain and to stop him coming after me and to stop him coming after my children.” Threat to Joseph Ryan

• February, 2019 – Charles filed for divorce from Lori, citing her extreme religious beliefs and claims that she had threatened to kill him if he interfered with what she believed was her divine mission. Divorce Petition.
  
• July 11, 2019, Lori’s brother Alex Cox shot Charles to death in Lori’s Arizona house.
• November 5, 2019 Lori married Chad Daybell two weeks after the death of Chad’s wife Tammy Daybell and three weeks before the missing person’s case was opened for J.J. and Tylee.
• November 2019, weeks after his grandchildren went missing, Barry published a book entitled How the American Public Can Dismantle the IRS, arguing in its prologue that Americans have been “illegally and deceptively held captive and in bondage by a gang of self-policing liars who have arrogantly and without conscience imposed an evil regime to do whatever they want, whenever they want and to whomever they want to the American public with impunity.” 

Here is a detailed timeline of the Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell case:

• 1968: Chad Guy Daybell born in Provo, Utah
• 1973: Lori Norene Cox born in San Bernardino County CA
• 1985: Chad Daybell has near-death exp while cliff jumping. Claims to have crossed into another dimension and realized there was a world beyond ours.
• 1986: Chad Daybell graduates high school in Springville, Utah. (1985 & 1986 Springville Herald from newspapers.com)

1990 – 2015

• March 9, 1990 – Chad Daybell marries Tamara “Tammy” Douglas in Manti, Utah. They later establish Spring Creek Book Company and have five children before moving to Salem, Idaho, in 2015. Tammy works as a school librarian.
• 1991 – Lori Cox graduates high school in Rialto, CA (Newspapers.com)
• 1992 – Lori marries her 1st husband while she is still a teenager fresh out of HS. This relationship ends in divorce.
• 1995 – October 22, 1995 Lori marries 2nd husband, William John Lagioia in Travis County, TX (Lori’s eldest son Colby Ryan is born during this relationship). (according to court records)
• 1994 – December 17, 1996 Lori’s 2nd husband files for divorce in Bexar County, Texas
• 1997 – Chad hears voice while working in cemetery telling him to write his books.
• 1998 – February 25, 1998 Lori’s 2nd divorce finalized.
• 1998 – May 25, 1998 Stacey Lynn Cope (sister to Lori and Alex, mother to Melani Boudreaux) dies of diabetic shock. Alex Cox was the only one home. Alex was using Stacey’s credit card while she was dead.
• 2001 – Lori marries Joseph Anthony Ryan Jr
• 2002 – September 24, 2002 Tylee Ashlyn Ryan is born.
• 2004 – February 23, 2004 Lori is listed on a General Warranty Deed for the home she shares with Joe Ryan in Driftwood, TX. 
• 2004 – August 13, 2004 Joe Ryan files for divorce from Lori in Hays County, TX
• 2005 – May 18, 2005 Lori and Joe’s divorce finalized in Hays County, TX.
• 2005 – September 6, 2005 Lori is listed on a Trustee Deed for the home in Driftwood, TX
• 2006 – Lori Ryan marries her fourth husband, Charles Vallow. Lori enters the marriage with her son, Colby, and Tylee Ryan (her daughter with Joseph Ryan Jr.).
• 2006 – August 8, 2006 Joe Ryan files in the 22nd District Court of TX for custody enforcement/modification in the interest of Tylee.
• 2007 – August 5, 2007 While dropping off Tylee from visitation Joe Ryan was assaulted by Alex Cox. He was hit twice by a taser while attempting to flee. Alex threatened to kill Joe. The events were witnessed by a neighbor. Alex was arrested (Offense Report: 2007-2171206) and charged with Aggravated Assault. He spent 90 days in jail. Police Report Joseph Ryan
  
• 2008 Melani Cope (Alex and Lori’s niece, daughter of Stacey) marries Brandon Boudreaux.
• 2008 – March 2008 Lori and Charles sign a “lien release form” together in Travis County, TX.
• 2008 – December 19, 2008 Joe Ryan requested dismissal of an appeal against Lori in the 3rd Court of Appeals, 245 District Court of Travis County, TX; the court granted his request.
• 2009 – January 26, 2009 Lori and Charles sign forms for authorization for someone to pay property tax on their behalf in Travis County, TX. (Court records)
• 2009 – July 17, 2009 Joseph Ryan again files a custody suit against Lori in the state of Texas. This suit is carried over to the AZ courts and a note about it in Maricopa County, AZ records reads: “From The State of Texas Interlocutory/of 7/17/09 in Suit to Modify Parent-Child Relationship” (Court records)
• 2011 – August 5, 2011 Joseph Ryan files “Petition to modify child custody, parenting time and child support” in Maricopa County, AZ Family Court.
• 2012 – May 25, 2012 Joshua Jaxon “JJ” Vallow is born in Louisiana to Charles Vallow’s grand-nephew. JJ is later diagnosed with special needs (Autism and ADHD) and prescribed medication.
• 2012 – June 5, 2012 Joseph Ryan files more petitions against Lori to modify child custody and child support arrangements for Tylee in Maricopa County, AZ
• 2013 – Charles and Lori adopt Joshua “JJ” Vallow, the grandson of Charles’ sister, Kay Woodcock.
• 2014 – June 1, 2014 Joseph Ryan wins his ongoing court battle with Lori as court records read: “Stipulation To Credit (Offset) Petitioner/Father’s Child Support Obligations for Seven (&) Months Commencing June 1, 2014”.
• 2014 – August 1, 2014 The Vallow family moves to Kauai,
• 2014 – December 8, 2014 Charles and Lori register business called “Juice Island Hawaii LLC” in Princeville, HI
• 2015 – January 12, 2015 Charles and Loris register business called “JUICE ISLAND – PRINCEVILLE LLC” in Princeville, HI.
• 2015 – February 2015 Daybells moved to Salem, Idaho
• 2015 – June 25, 2015 – Tylee tweets a photo with friend captioned: “4 more days until Hawaii with this chick” .
• 2015 – August 4 2015 Charles and Lori register a business “JUICE ISLAND – LIHUE LLC” in Princeville, HI.
• 2016 – February 1, 2016 Lori posts photo to Instagram from Anini Beach, Kalihiwai, HI.
• 2016 – June 18, 2016 Tylee posts photo to her photography Instagram taken in Kakaha, HI.
• 2016 – July 20, 2016 Lori gets a traffic ticket for using her phone while driving in Kauai, HI
• 2016 – September 28, 2016 Lori dissolves one of the 3 Hawaii business entities (Juice Island – Lihue LLC). Note: The other Juice Island LLCs are listed as DELINQUENT for 2016, 2017, and 2018 due to no filings and the state administratively dissolved the entities in 2018
• 2016 December 2016 Tylee listed on the Honor Role as a freshman at Kapaa High School in Hawaii.
• 2017 – Lori and children move from HI to AZ.
• Summer 2017 – Chad meets author and podcaster Melanie Gibb for the first time after speaking at campout in Northern Utah. Melanie invites him to speak in her hometown of Mesa, AZ. 

2018

Death of Joseph Ryan:

• April 3, 2018 – Joseph Ryan Jr. Tylee’s father, died, and it was ruled as a heart attack. Later in the year, Tylee began receiving Joseph’s Social Security survivor benefits. Those benefits were originally direct-deposited into a bank account Tylee and Lori shared. Death Report
  
• April 18, 2018 – JJ Vallow is last seen by a dentist
• May 2018 – Lori asks Joseph Ryan’s sister Annie to visit AZ to support Tylee. When Annie arrived in AZ, Lori discouraged Tylee from mourning her father’s death. “When I got there, it was as if, nothing had happened,” Annie said. “People were hardly talking about Joe and when Lori did, the tenor was — she would actually say, ‘the world is a better place without Joe Ryan.’” Annie also noticed, “There was also a lot of tension between Tylee and Lori”
  
• May 24, 2018 – After the visit, Annie texts her daughter:

“It was absolutely exhausting. I dealt with so many lies, even with little things. I think [Lori’s] unhinged and untethered from truth” and “Lolo was crazy. I saw a dark side of her when I was there that makes me question some of her claims” and “I regret going down there. She may be a sociopath.” And “Way More. That’s what makes me feel Lori was a sociopath. To her, this was all a game. She had no empathy for the suffering anyone else was experiencing, including Tylee”

Chad and Lori:

• October 26, 2018 – Chad and Lori met at a religious conference in St. George, Utah. Chad and Lori make their first recorded podcast together on Preparing a People titled “Time to Warrior Up.” The podcast series focuses on end-times prophecies.
• October 2018 Lori Daybell recorded by Annie Cushing saying she “was going to murder” Joseph Ryan, her third husband. Ryan died of an apparent heart attack six months before Daybell made the comments. His sister, Annie Cushing, shared the recording in hopes that police would open an investigation.
• October 30, 2018 – Chad Daybell emailed Lori Vallow a document regarding the “Church of the First Born,” ranking individuals numerically. Melani Boudreaux was included in this ranking.
• November 2018: Chad reportedly came to Arizona for another conference, and according to Gibb, Chad stayed at Lori’s house, as Charles was out of town. Gibb said she believed it was a “hook-up.” That weekend, Lori told Gibb that she and Chad were sealed together by Moroni and Jesus Christ in the LDS temple and that the relationship of multiple lives was reunited.
• November 16, 2018 – A Judgment of Default and Cease and Desist Order was issued by Pinal County Superior Court Judge against Barry L. Cox for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law in Arizona. Link
• December 5, 2018 – Time to Warrior Up sequence on PAP begins with Lori Vallow, Jason Mow, and Melanie Gibb

2019 – Murders

January 15, 2019 Podcast recorded Time to Warrior Up with Chad Daybell

January 28, 2019 – Lori vacates the marital residence without informing Charles. 

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car emails CV to say that 2,000 points were transferred out of his rewards account; Charles Vallow later realizes that Lori transferred the points.
  

January 29, 2019 – Lori told Charles Vallow “She was a GOD and was assigned to carry out the work of the 144,000 at Christ second coming in July of 2020. She said Charles was in the way and she would have to murder him if he tried to stop her” Records

January 31, 2019 – Charles Vallow contacts Arizona police Police Report , expressing concern about Lori’s extreme religious beliefs. Lori told Charles “She didn’t trust him and would have to kill him when he got home. She would have an angel there to help dispose of his body. She also said she knew his real name Nick Schneider and said he would have to go and painfully” Officers determine she is mentally stable. Records 

• 12:36 PM: Gilbert Police Department (GPD) met with Lori about a harassment complaint. GPD was aware of a mental health order but let Lori go to Community Bridges on her own. Lori was accompanied by Tylee Ryan and Melanie J. GPD made contact with Charles at a Hyatt Hotel.
• Charles sent an email to Melanie J. from his work email.The email, later labeled as “Letter to Lori,” detailed their argument and Lori leaving. Charles informed Melanie J. and Gibb that he was at JJ’s school when Lori dropped JJ off. Charles admitted to taking Lori’s purse from her vehicle.

February 1, 2019 – Charles goes on a business trip to Texas. While he is away, Lori returns to their home and removes the majority of his belongings. Charles later discovers that she emptied their business account, withdrawing $35,000. Records

• 9:52 AM: Lori sent Charles a text message: “The truck is in the back of the parking lot of the Hyatt Place Hotel at San Tan. Your clothes are all in boxes at the house in the closet by the garage.”
• Charles responded: “1/2 the money today or no house. Sorry. It’s just wrong what you did. I’ll pick up JJ but nothing else changes till we get square. I will pay all the bills going forward plus whatever spending money you need. If you want a divorce, let me know. I don’t have an attorney, but we could do most of it ourselves.”

February 4, 2019 – Charles filed an Order of Protection against Lori. He cited threats made by Lori and her extreme religious beliefs. Order of Protection

February 7, 2019 – Charles contacts his financial institution to dispute the withdrawal but is told the account was in both their names.

February 8, 2019 – Charles files for divorce, claiming Lori views herself as a god and has threatened to kill him and He seeks custody of their adopted son Joshua Jaxon “J.J.” Vallow However, he later pauses proceedings, hoping to reconcile. Divorce Petition

February 11, 2019: Charles Vallow visits the school and shares that Lori (J.J.’s mother) had gone “crazy” and disappeared.

• He mentions Lori was hearing religious voices.
• He informs the school that he has an order of protection, but it is against Lori, not J.J.
• Charles states he is taking J.J. to Louisiana to stay with family for his safety.

February 20, 2019 – Phone Call to Banner Life Insurance. 

• Charles called Banner Life Insurance to request a change of beneficiary form.
• The call was recorded, and the voice was confirmed to be Charles Vallow’s by Kay.

February 21, 2019 – Charles and J.J. return to Arizona, but Lori is still missing. February – April – Lori travels to Hawaii for nearly two months, leaving JJ and Tylee behind. During this nearly two-month period, she stayed with her friend, April Raymond.

February 26, 2019 – Additional Banner Life Insurance – Charles Vallow Emails

• Charles Vallow asked Banner Life to investigate his “soon to be ex wife” Lori Vallow changing his password to his $1M policy’s account.
• Between February 20, 2019, and July 15, 2019, there were five phone calls made regarding Charles Vallow’s life insurance policy.

March 2, 2019 – Alex Cox forwarded a text from their mother to Lori regarding Charles Vallow.

“Love you to al. I do realize all of that. Realize this .. Lori canceled his trip home, his his truck, took all of his clothes and drained the bari< account. ff I was Charles I would be upset and do hurtful !tings, so would you. Also, even if Charles cheated with hookers, you dad and I can not ever judge … Charles has never done anything but support me, and love me. I love Lori with all my heart. I will help her in artfW8y a I can. But, because I have been talking to Charles with the spirit gliding me, even is he doesn’t have the spirit, it has lead him not to go through with a divorce, and decided to tum on all the cell phones and put them back in Lori’s name and move out of the house and is going to pay for Lori to move back in, no strings attached. So if that happens, just know the lord works in mysterious ways, sometimes things that looks black and white are actually grey. I love you, I would love to talk to Lori, but I haven1 heard from her. I know Im lead by the spirit in my actions”.

Seconds later, Alex sent another text to Lori that read, “Ned just came by and Tylee unleashed on him he came to my house and he went to- first. He ran up in a rental car”

March 6, 2019 Charles Vallow drops divorce proceedings against Lori and they remain legally married but separated. (Maricopa Court records)

March 7, 2019 – J.J. is officially withdrawn from school. stating he is taking him to Texas to live with family.

March 8, 2019 – Lori texted Alex Cox about “Ned” being gone soon.

March 10, 2019- Alex Cox texted Lori, “Have fun and get rid of Ned already.”

March 19, 2019 – Chad and Lori traveled together from Idaho to Arizona.

March 26, 2019 – Alex texted Lori: “Ned is still alive. Just confirmed.” Alex and Lori were referring to Charles Vallow and a dark spirit that Charles was potentially possessed by.

April 2019: Lori moved to Texas to live with Charles and JJ. Charles halted the divorce proceedings and told his family he wanted to make it work between him and Lori.

May 17, 2019: JJ visited the Woodcocks in Louisiana for the weekend, and they celebrated his birthday.

May 29, 2019 – Zulema texts Lori about preparing for someone’s spirit to leave their body, referencing an attack on “Hiplos” (a name they used for Charles).

June, 2019 – Lori’s niece, Melani Boudreaux, and her husband, Brandon Boudreaux, file for divorce. Brandon claims Melani has joined a cult.

July 8, 2019 – Charles emailed his sons, expressing fear for his life.

July 10, 2019 – Charles arrived in Arizona, preparing to pick up J.J.

July 11, 2019 – Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, shoots and kills Charles Vallow in Arizona. He claims self-defense. BodyCam Footage – Case Files

July 12, 2019 – Lori texted Charles’ sons

July 15-16, 2019 – Lori traveled to Houston while J.J. and Tylee stayed with a friend, Angela.

July 20, 2019: Lori’s credit card was used to purchase an Allegiant Airlines flight for Chad, traveling from Provo to Arizona.

July 22, 2019: Chad and Lori exchanged text messages discussing Kauai and “the plan.” Chad wrote, “Love you,” to which Lori responded, “I love you.” Chad replied, “Not as much as I love you.” Lori mentioned that he would enjoy the scenery in Kauai, as it resembled Hawaii. Chad responded, “Hopefully we can be there soon.” 

• Lori sent an email asking to return J.J.’s service dog to the company that trained it.
• Lori visited J.J.’s school and falsely told staff that Charles had “committed suicide.” Staff members researched Charles’ death and discovered he had actually been murdered on July 11.
  

July 2019: Lori arranged a “casting” for Brandon, believing he was “dark” and possessed by an “evil spirit.” She told her niece, Melani, that Boudreaux was part of Hitler’s group and considered a “very high dark.”

July 29, 2019 – Lori traveled to Oceanside, California, with Alex and Melani.

July 30, 2019 – Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow discuss death percentages for Tammy Daybell and JJ Vallow in Text messages.

August 5, 2019 – Kay Woodcock, sister-in-law of Lori Vallow, recorded a conversation with Lori regarding Charles Vallow’s life insurance policy. During the call, Lori expressed frustration upon learning that Charles had changed the beneficiary to Kay, rather than leaving it to her.

August 6, 2019 – Venmo in Tylee’s name sent money to her older brother CR with a heart and two exclamation points. Tylee Ryan

August 9, 2010 – Alex Cox takes out a $21,000 loan through Lending Club for “medical reasons.” 

• Lori lists JJ’s service dog, Bailey, for sale for $2500 using the contact name Lolo Ryan. The listing says it cost $7000 to train the dog and he is trained for people with autism. The listing also says the owner of the dog (Charles Vallow) is deceased. Listing
  

August 10, 2019 – Woodcocks had brief FaceTime call lasting about 35 seconds. During this call, J.J. appeared to be monitored, and the conversation ended abruptly

August 12, 2019 – Lori attends a Social Security appointment to confirm her benefits. She also removed Tylee and JJ from her $2 million dollar life insurance policy so that her oldest son, Colby Ryan, was the only beneficiary

August 14, 2019 – Lori submitted a rental application for a townhouse in on Pioneer Rd. in Rexburg and listed her income as the amount of combined Social Security benefits for herself, JJ, and Tylee. In the application Lori states they are moving to Rexburg so Tylee can attend BYU-Idaho. Tylee never enrolls or attends. Lori purchased wedding rings from a seller, but the order was later canceled.

August 16, 2019 – Lori Norene Vallow changed the deposit of Tylee Ryan’s Social Security benefits, redirecting the funds from Tylee’s JP Morgan Chase account to Lori’s personal BBVA bank account

August 17, 2019 – Budget van rental created under Lori’s name.

August 20-25, 2019 – Lori traveled from Phoenix to Idaho under the name “Lori Ryan.”

August 22, 2019 – Photos taken of Rexburg, Idaho, including Kennedy School.

August 30, 2019 – Lori, Tylee, and JJ drove to Colby’s workplace in Tylee’s Jeep. Colby came outside to speak with them briefly, and they told him they were moving the next day. Colby later said he didn’t know they were leaving Arizona or where they were going—only that Lori said she had a new job, though she didn’t say what it was or where it would be. He thought it was probably a good idea for her to get the kids out of the house where Charles had died. Tylee, he recalled, seemed sad about the move and didn’t say much.

August 31, 2019 – Lori officially moved out of the Chandler, Arizona home where Charles Vallow had been shot, reportedly at the request of the property manager. She took JJ and Tylee and left for Idaho.

• J.J.’s paternal grandparents contact the school, stating that they haven’t seen J.J. and want to know if he is okay. Due to legal restrictions, the school cannot share much information.

September 1, 2019 – Lori, Tylee, JJ, and Alex move to Rexburg, Idaho. Neighbors told police they witnessed Lori, Tylee and JJ moving into their apartment and saw them a few times in September.

September 3 2019 Joshua is enrolled by Lori at Kennedy Elementary in Rexburg, Idaho

September 5, 2019 – Lori email to J.J.’s school, the Laurens Institute for Education in Gilbert, Arizona, at right, that he won’t be re-enrolling because the family had to “move quickly” so she could accept an out-of-state job. By then she has enrolled him at Kennedy Elementary School in Rexburg, Idaho, near Daybell’s home base.

September 8, 2019 – Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow were photographed at Yellowstone National Park during a day trip with their mother, Lori Vallow, and uncle, Alex Cox. This was the last confirmed sighting of Tylee Ryan. Investigators later determined that she was murdered shortly after this trip.

• Same Day: Chad Daybell and Tammy Daybell sign an application to increase Tammy’s LifeMap insurance to the maximum amount allowed under her policy.

September 9, 2019 Chad Daybell sent a text message to his wife, Tammy Daybell, claiming he had shot and buried a raccoon in their pet cemetery after burning limb debris by the fire pit. Investigators believe the message was an attempt to create an alibi for activity on his property that morning. That same day, Alex Cox’s phone data placed him on Chad’s property, specifically in the area where Tylee Ryan’s remains were later found.

September 12, 2019 – Lori searched for Charles Vallow’s tax return.

September 13-16, 2019 – Emails between Lori and Arizona DES regarding JJ.

September 14, 2019 – Photograph of JJ at Bear World in Idaho; Tylee was not present.

September 17, 2019, A neighbor of Lori Vallow at 565 Pioneer Road captured J.J. Vallow playing outside in the courtyard on their doorbell camera. This is one of the last known recordings of J.J. before his disappearance. Same day, Melani asked Brandon for his new home address. Brandon told police she was one of four people to know that information. His new lease began on September 23, 2019

• Days prior, some redacted info on Melanie Gibb seeing JJ Vallow for the last time in Lori Vallow’s Rexburg apartment.

September 18, 2019, Lori Vallow met with a babysitter and hired her to watch J.J. Vallow, stating it would be a long-term job. On the same day, Chad Daybell obtained a burner phone, presumably for private communication

September 19, 2019 earlier that day  The babysitter watched J.J. Melanie Gibb visit Lori that day in Rexburg. Lori tells Gibb that JJ has become a “zombie” and that his spirit had left his body.

September 22, 2019 – Last verifiable sighting of J.J. Vallow by Melanie Gibb. That night, Alex Cox took J.J. to his apartment. When he returned later, J.J. appeared asleep on Alex’s shoulder.

• 9:00 p.m. and midnight on September 22, the last night of their visit, Lori, Melanie and David were in the kitchen doing a religious podcast when Alex Cox appeared. MELANIE GIBB: He brought JJ into the house during the middle of the podcast. He carried him in, and he was asleep.
• Also, the Last known photograph of JJ inside their Idaho residence was taken on September 22, 2019.

September 23, 2019 – 9:55 AM – 10:12 AM: Alex Cox’s phone pings at Chad Daybell’s property, near the pond.

• 9:55 a.m. Cox returned to Chad Daybell’s backyard. But this time he was only there for 17 minutes.
• Later that morning: Lori Vallow tells Melanie Gibb that J.J. was acting like a zombie, climbing on kitchen cabinets, and had knocked a picture of Jesus off the refrigerator. Lori claims Alex took J.J.
• Lori emailed J.J.’s school, stating he would not be returning.

September 24, 2019 – The babysitter contacted Lori Vallow to ask if she was needed to watch J.J. Vallow. Lori told her J.J. had gone to stay with his grandmother for several weeks and that her services were no longer needed. Same day: Lori informed Kennedy Elementary School that J.J. was staying with his grandparents in Louisiana. School records show J.J. was withdrawn with no evidence of homeschooling. Babysitter Statement

September, 25, 2019 – Alex Cox takes the Jeep Wrangler registered to Charles Vallow but previously driven by Tylee Ryan and brings it to Dan’s Window Tinting in Rexburg. He has the front windows tinted to 20 percent and the rear windows tinted to five percent.

September, 26 2019 – Melani flies from Mesa, AZ to Idaho Falls, ID via Allegiant Airlines.

September 28, 2019 – Alex at the gun range and signs the log at United Sportsmens’ Gun Club. 

September 29, 2019 – Melanie returns to Mesa, AZ.

September 30, 2019 – Alex’s road trip in the Jeep Wrangler from Idaho to Arizona. His burner phone calls Chad’s burner phone and receives a call from Chad’s phone about 21 hours before the attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux.

October 1, 2019 – Lori rents a storage unit in Rexburg. Surveillance footage shows her, Alex, and Chad frequently visiting it. Video footage from a storage facility in Idaho showed Cox and Lori storing the spare tire the day before Cox traveled south to Maricopa County, then retrieving it a few days later.

October 2, 2019 – Brandon Boudreaux is targeted in a drive-by shooting outside his home in Gilbert, Arizona. The shooter, driving Charles Vallow’s Jeep, misses him by inches. Earlier that day, Boudreaux had dropped off his children with his ex-wife, Melani Pawlowski, who was deeply involved in Lori and Chad Daybell’s religious beliefs. Evidence from Lori’s trial suggested Boudreaux was viewed as an “obstacle” and believed to be possessed by a “dark spirit”, a justification Lori and Chad used to remove perceived threats.

• 7:17 AM: Alex’s Gmail account searched for directions to Brandon’s house.
• 9:19 AM: Alex was parked near Brandon’s residence. Alex’s burner phone and Chad’s burner phone make contact multiple times between 9:19 AM – 9:25 AM
  
• Shots were fired from the back window of a grey Jeep Wrangler, which had its spare tire removed.
• Brandon witnesses the muzzle of a firearm pointed towards his Tesla moments before a shot is fired.
• After his car is hit, Brandon drives off and the Jeep follows him briefly before turning out of the neighborhood.
• 1:25 PM – 1:32 PM – Chad and Lori are seen on surveillance bringing in a tire, and single vehicle wheel into storage. Her gmail account searches for keywords like “man shot in gilbert az” and “ave news brandon budreaux.”
  
• An Amazon order is placed in Charles Vallow’s name for a silver and malachite ring, costing less than $40.

October 3, 2019 – police interview Melani who denies any knowledge of the shooting and could not explain the details of that day. She confirmed relationships with Alex and Lori but denied being close. She also did not want to share their phone numbers. Lori using the same computer used for the ring purchase searches for wedding dresses online.

October 4, 2019 Tammy Daybell visits her parents in Springville, UT. She is reported to have been healthy and doing Zumba and a clogging class by her father.

October 8, 2019 – Alex Cox conducts multiple internet searches, including terms related to “Grendel drop” (a type of bullet) and shooting through a Dodge Dakota.

October 9, 2019  – Alex Cox obtains a burner phone. Alex Cox attempts to shoot Tammy Daybell outside her home but fails. Tammy Daybell calls 911, reporting that a masked man shot at her with a paintball gun. Chad and Lori exchange text messages discussing Tammy being in “limbo” and allegedly possessed by a spirit named Viola. Alex traveled from Sportsman’s Warehouse to the vicinity of the Daybell residence.

October 9, 2019 Tammy Daybell has an encounter with a masked man with a gun outside her ID home which she contacted the police about. She also posted about it on Facebook.

October 12, 2019 – Alex Cox conducts another internet searches, including terms related to “Grendel drop” (a type of bullet) and shooting through a Dodge Dakota.

October 16, 2019 – Tylee Ryan’s Venmo account showed a payment to her older half brother, Colby Ryan with “we love you” in the description field.

October 18, 2019 – Alex Cox was in a church parking lot approximately 2.5 miles from the Daybell residence on the night before Tammy Daybell’s death.

October 19, 2019 – Chad Daybell reports that Tammy died in her sleep. 

• Tammy is found dead by family members in her ID home at 202 N 1900 E, Rexburg (Salem), ID; A Fremont Co officer goes to the Salem home in response to a call about Tammy’s death. The Fremont Co Coroner Brenda Dye arrives at the home as well and examines the body. No autopsy is performed. Dye writes a death certificate. The coroner initially ruled the death “natural causes,” and decided Tammy didn’t need an autopsy, but police later determined her death is suspicious and exhume her on Dec 12th for autopsy.
• That morning of October 19, 2019, Alice and Todd Gilbert, neighbors of Chad and Tammy Daybell, went to the Daybell home after learning of Tammy’s sudden passing. During their visit, Chad informed them that Tammy’s funeral would take place on Tuesday, with a memorial service planned for Wednesday.
• Alice Gilbert was surprised by how quickly the arrangements had been made and asked Chad if he had planned them in advance. Chad responded “No,” but Alice found it odd that everything was happening so fast. Both Alice and Todd noted that Chad did not appear particularly upset over his wife’s sudden death

October 22, 2019 Tammy’s funeral is held in Utah, two days after her death. No autopsy was conducted.

October 24, 2019 – Lori traveled from Phoenix to Idaho. Chad moves out of the Salem, ID house he shared with Tammy and two of his adult kids. He told his kids he wanted to sell the house and the book publishing business he and Tammy had built since 2004, but they convinced him not to. He later says he has plans to go to Hawaii to edit a book.

October 25, 2019 – A friend of Tylee’s from Arizona receives a text message from Tylee’s phone saying, “hi. Miss you guys too…luv ya.” This response was sent six days after the friend initially texted Tylee on October 19, saying she missed her. The friend expressed doubts that Tylee actually wrote it, stating: “She spelled out her words for the most part. Plus, she would have texted more if I reached out.”

October 26, 2019 – Chad Announces He’s Found a New Wife – Just seven days after Tammy Daybell’s death, Chad Daybell visited his neighbors, Alice and Todd Gilbert. During the visit, Chad shocked the couple by telling them he had already “found the woman he was going to marry.” Alice recalled being “absolutely stunned” by Chad’s quick decision to remarry, especially given how little time had passed since Tammy’s sudden death.

October 28, 2019 – Alex Cox and Chad Daybell visit the storage unit removing several large, obviously heavy totes. This is the last visit to the storage unit. The Gilberts (neighbors) met the woman Chad was referring to—Lori Vallow. Alice described the encounter as awkward, noting that Chad and Lori were extremely affectionate, giggling and laughing together on the couch “They were more affectionate than I had ever seen Chad,” Alice testified. “My husband and I were embarrassed.”

November 3, 2019 – Chad and Lori traveled to Hawaii for their wedding.

• November 5, 2019 – Chad and Lori marry in Hawaii, two weeks after Tammy’s death.
• November 8, 2019: Chad’s Email to a Realtor in Hawaii, just three days after marrying Lori Vallow, and less than a month after the death of Chad’s first wife, Tammy Daybell, who had died of asphyxiation on October 19, 2019. Chad Daybell emailed a Hawaiian realtor inquiring about a property. In the message, Chad falsely stated that he and Lori had “no pets or children”—despite the fact that JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan had vanished weeks earlier and were still officially missing.

“We are interested in seeing this property,” Chad wrote. “Would the owners be interested in leasing this property to a clean couple with no pets or children?”

November 7, 2019 – Lori and Chad, recently married, visited a home in Kauai with a room for rent.

• The homeowner, JM, recalled them saying God had led them there. She described them as “giddy, like two teenagers.” Chad filled out a rental application, claiming $30,000 monthly income and listing Lori as his wife and emergency contact.

November 12, 2019 – After reading Tammy Daybell’s obituary, JM became uneasy about how happy the couple had seemed.

• She texted Chad to ask about Tammy’s death. Chad replied that Tammy had passed peacefully and was now “helping our family on the other side of the veil.” JM followed up, asking about the coroner’s report and when he and Lori met. Chad then decided not to rent the room.

November 14, 2019 – Melani Boudreaux was arrested for trespassing on Brandon’s parents’ property in American Fork, Utah. She was released the same day.

November 19, 2019 – Melani and Brandon Boudreaux’s divorce was finalized. Melanie didn’t show up, and he was awarded full custody by default.

November 21, 2019 – Lori’s account or electronic device is logged into a classroom communication app from JJ’s former school, LIFE Academy in AZ, and Lori’s user account is shown as having viewed a post made by the school

• Chad Daybell met with his insurance agent, Ballard, to discuss different options for his policy. During the conversation, Chad hypothetically asked about adding a new spouse to the plan—without mentioning that he had already married Lori Vallow by this point on November 5 in Hawaii. Chad never mentioned JJ or Tylee, nor did he discuss adding anyone else to the policy.

November 26, 2019 – Police conduct a welfare check on JJ after his grandparents, Larry and Kay Woodcock, express concern. Rexburg police visit Lori’s apartment. Alex Cox and Chad Daybell claim JJ is with his grandmother in Louisiana. Chad acts as if he barely knows Lori. Lori tells police JJ is with her friend Melanie Gibb in Arizona.

November 27, 2019 – Officers arrived at Lori and Chad Daybell’s Rexburg residence with search warrants.

• However, they discovered that the couple had “abruptly vacated” the home and left the area. During the investigation into JJ’s disappearance, law enforcement learns that Lori’s 17 year old daughter Tylee Ryan was living with Lori in Rexburg but she also has not been seen since September 2019.
• 2 detectives visit Colby at his home in AZ to ask him if he has JJ and Tylee living with him or if he knows where they are located. This was the first time that Colby was made aware that Lori had moved with the kids to Idaho. CR calls his mom to ask her what is going on and Lori says “I got it, I’ll take care of it,” and that was it. That was the last time CR talked to his mom

November 29, 2019 – Alex Cox (Lori’s brother) marries Zulemar Pastenes in Clark County, Idaho

November 30, 2019 – Lori’s niece, Melani Pawlowski, married Ian Pawlowski (his divorce was finalized on July 25, 2019). Before their marriage, Ian sought permission from Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow to marry Melani, reflecting their deep influence over her life and relationships.

December 1, 2019: – Chad and Lori fly from Los Angeles to Hawaii. No records of JJ or Tylee traveling with them.

December 6, 2019: – Melanie Gibb contacts police and confirms Lori and Chad asked her to lie about JJ’s whereabouts.

December 9, 2019: – Lori’s account or electronic device is logged into a classroom communication app from JJ’s former school, LIFE Academy in AZ, and Lori’s user account is shown as having viewed a post made by the school

December 11, 2019  – Tammy Daybell’s body is exhumed. An autopsy later reveals she died of asphyxiation.

December 12, 2019 – Another Death: 3:20 PM – Alex Cox, 51, Lori Vallow Daybell’s brother, was found unresponsive in the bathroom of his home in Gilbert, Arizona, where he lived with his wife of 12 days, Zulema Pastenes. Cox had previously admitted to fatally shooting Charles Vallow in July 2019, claiming self-defense during an alleged altercation at Lori’s home. His sudden death raised suspicions, given his involvement in multiple key events surrounding Lori and Chad Daybell..

December 20, 2019 – Rexburg Police publicly announce the disappearance of Tylee Ryan and J.J. Vallow, asking for the public’s help. Authorities state that Chad and Lori are not cooperating and suggest the children’s disappearance may be linked to Tammy Daybell’s suspicious death. Rexburg Police Department

December 21, 2019: Police officially name Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow as persons of interest. Rexburg Police Chief Shane Turman said: “They told us several stories about where the children are, but when we investigate, the children don’t exist where they say they should.”

December 22, 2019 – Larry and Kay Woodcock, grandparents of JJ, plea for any information on the location of the children, “Just show me JJ, show me Tylee, let us see that those kids are OK,”

December 23, 2019: Rexburg attorney Sean Bartholick issues a statement on behalf of Chad and Lori, claiming: “Chad Daybell was a loving husband and has the support of his children in this matter. Lori Daybell is a devoted mother and resents assertions to the contrary. We look forward to addressing the allegations once they have moved beyond speculation and rumor.”

December 24, 2019 – Colby Ryan, oldest son of Lori and brother of Tylee, release a YouTube video discussing the case. “Every week or two weeks has been something — new news that just sinks your heart through your stomach,” “I didn’t know there was a whole other family involved or anything.”Colby Ryan said.

December 28, 2019: Rexburg Police Capt. Gary Hagen tells East Idaho News that investigators are no closer to finding J.J. and Tylee than they were two weeks prior. Hagen dismisses custody battle rumors, stating: “That’s what they claim, but we have proved that there is no active custody battle.”

December 30, 2019: Rexburg Police release another urgent public statement, emphasizing that they “strongly believe Joshua and Tylee’s lives are in danger.” Authorities confirm that the children are not with Chad and Lori, and despite law enforcement believing Lori knows their whereabouts, she has refused to cooperate and instead left the state with Chad. Rexburg Police Department

2020 – Arrests

January 3, 2020 – Police and the FBI search Chad’s home, seizing electronic devices and documents.

January 5, 2020 – Colby Ryan, Lori’s son with ex Joseph Ryan, released a YouTube video in which he urged Lori to come clean and help authorities find Tylee and J.J. “I know you know [what] the right thing to do is and I know you have a good heart,” he said in the seven-minute clip. “It’s time to do the right thing.”

January 7, 2020 – Larry and Kay Woodcock, J.J.’s grandparents, hold a press conference in Rexburg to announce a $20,000 reward for the children’s return. “We want only the best for them,” Larry Woodcock says. “Please give them back to us.”

January 2020 – The owners of the Rexburg Self Storage facility notify law enforcement that Lori’s credit card has been declined several times. Lori had rented a unit there on October 1, 2019.

January 25, 2020 – Lori and Chad Located in Hawaii, Court Order Issued. Authorities tracked down Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell in Kaua‘i, Hawaii, where local police stated the couple had been staying for an “unconfirmed period of time.” Rexburg police confirmed that JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan were not with them, nor was there any evidence that the children had ever been in Hawaii.

January 26, 2020: – A Child Protection Action is filed in Madison County, Idaho. Lori is ordered to produce JJ and Tylee within five days. Lori and Chad are served the court order in Hawaii. The Kauai Police Department serves a search warrant on a vehicle carrying Chad and Lori as well as on their persons.

January 28, 2020 – Kay and Larry Woodcock file for temporary guardianship of their grandson J.J. Petition

January 30, 2020 – Lori fails to meet the deadline to present JJ and Tylee.

February 20, 2020 – Lori is arrested in Kauai, Hawaii, on felony charges of child desertion.

February 21, 2020 – Lori appears before a judge in Kauai and declares her intention to fight the extradition order. The judge denies her lawyer’s request to lower bail.

February 26, 2020 – Lori waives her challenge to Idaho’s extradition request. The judge instructs the prosecuting attorney to have Idaho authorities return Lori to Madison County “as soon as possible.” Lori’s decision to waive comes immediately after her request to lower her $5 million bail is denied.

February, 2020 – As part of Brandon and Melani’s custody battle from November 19, 2020 The ex-husband of Melani Boudreaux Pawlowski, Brandon Boudreaux, claimed that Melani knew the whereabouts of missing 7-year-old JJ Vallow. Melani, who is Lori Vallow Daybell’s niece, was closely involved with Lori and Chad Daybell’s religious beliefs and had moved to Rexburg, Idaho, around the same time as Lori. Brandon believed that Melani had insider knowledge about JJ’s location but refused to disclose it.

March 2, 2020 – Chad Daybell give a brief statement to ABC News, claiming, “The kids are safe.” However, he refused to provide any further details on their whereabouts. According to ABC, Chad had also reassured his neighbors in Hawaii that JJ and Tylee were safe, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

March 4, 2020 – Rexburg law enforcement take Lori into their custody and extradite Lori out of Hawaii. March 5, 2020: Lori arrives at the Rexburg airport and is escorted to the Madison County jail.

March 5, 2020 – Lori is extradited to Idaho.

March 6, 2020 – Lori appears in Madison County court for the first time. Judge Faren Eddins reads Lori her charges and sets the preliminary hearing for March 18 and March 19. Judge Eddins agrees to lower Lori’s $5 million bond to $1 million – But Kids Still Missing

March 2020 – Chad Asks Neighbors to Post Lori’s Bond: Shortly after Lori Vallow Daybell’s arrest in February 2020 for failing to produce her missing children, Chad Daybell visited his neighbors, Alice and Todd Gilbert, once again. He said ‘Christ has sent me here to ask you guys if you would be willing to put your home up for bond to get Lori out of jail,’”. The Gilberts were taken aback by the request and declined to help Chad secure Lori’s release.

March 13, 2020 – 2 of Lori’s Lawyers Withdraw

March 2020 – Chad Daybell once again contacted his insurance agent, Ballard, this time to inquire about health insurance for his wife, Lori Vallow. At the time, Lori was incarcerated, and Ballard informed Chad that she did not need coverage while in jail. However, Chad insisted that he was “worried about something happening to her.” By this point, Ballard noticed several red flags and began to suspect that Chad and Lori might be attempting to orchestrate a fraudulent payout

May 2020 – a medical examiner ruled that Alex Cox had died of bilateral pulmonary thromboemboli (blood clots in the lungs) and determined the manner of death to be natural causes. However, due to his central role in the events leading up to the children’s disappearance and the deaths of Charles Vallow and Tammy Daybell, his death remains a point of intrigue in the ongoing investigation.

June 2, 2020, – Samantha Gwilliam, the sister of Tammy Daybell, was interviewed by law enforcement regarding her suspicions about Chad Daybell and the circumstances surrounding Tammy’s death. Detective Bruce Mattingly from the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office contacted Samantha Gwilliam, Tammy Daybell’s sister. He asked if she was aware of a pet cemetery on Chad and Tammy Daybell’s property in Idaho. Samantha confirmed she was aware of it and stated that both she and Tammy were pet lovers and had both maintained pet cemeteries.

June 3, 2020, – investigators interviewed Melanie Gibb and David Warwick in Pleasant Grove, Utah, about the last time J.J. Vallow was seen alive on September 22–23, 2019.

• Gibb and Warwick stayed at Lori Vallow’s home in Rexburg that weekend.
• Lori claimed J.J. had become a “zombie,” loved Satan, and behaved oddly, but Gibb saw nothing unusual.
• September 22, 2019 (Night): J.J. was acting up during a podcast recording. Alex Cox took J.J. to his apartment. Later, Alex returned carrying J.J., seemingly asleep.
• September 23, 2019 (Morning): Lori told them J.J. had been crawling on cabinets and knocked down a picture of Jesus. She then said Alex had taken J.J.

June 4, 2020 – Follow-up with Samantha. When asked about the specific location of the pet cemetery on the Daybell property, Samantha identified it as being east of the red barn and near the fire pit. She was then shown an aerial photograph of the property and pointed to the same area near the fire pit where Alex Cox’s phone had pinged on September 9, 2019.

• Significance of the Pet Cemetery: Alex Cox’s phone records showed he was at the Daybell property on September 9, 2019, from at least 9:21 AM to 11:39 AM.
• At 11:53 AM, Chad Daybell sent a text message to Tammy, claiming he had been burning debris and had shot and buried a raccoon in the pet cemetery.
• The location of the pet cemetery matches the pings from Alex Cox’s phone, suggesting Alex was there during the disposal of remains.

June 9, 2020 – A search warrant is executed at Chad Daybell’s property in Idaho. Human remains are found: JJ’s body is discovered near a tree, wrapped in plastic and bound with duct tape. Tylee’s remains are found burned and buried near the pet cemetery. Chad is seen watching the search and attempts to flee in an SUV. Chad Daybell is arrested.

June 10, 2020 – Chad is arrested and charged with concealing evidence.

June 22, 2020 – Sister Says She ‘Was Wrong’ to Support Lori: In a Facebook post, Lori’s sister Summer Cox Shiflet, who had been one of Lori’s staunchest defenders, says she “was wrong” to come to Lori’s defense. “Losing our precious Tylee and JJ in this horrific way is more than we can bear,” she wrote. “We had prayed our hearts out for them and hoped with all of our hearts they were safe. But we sadly have to face this new reality and our family will never ever be the same.”

June 29, 2020 – Lori is charged with conspiracy to destroy or conceal evidence.

November 13, 2020, – LE are reviewing the investigation into the death of Joseph Ryan, Lori Vallow’s third husband. Arizona Case

2021 – Charges

May 24, 2021 – Chad and Lori indicted on first-degree murder charges for the deaths of J.J. Vallow, Tylee Ryan, and Tammy Daybell.

May 28, 2021 – Judge Steven Boyce ruled Lori unfit to stand trial following a psychological evaluation. Boyce stated:

• “At this time, the defendant is not competent to proceed and recommends restorative treatment.”

June 8, 2021 – Lori was committed to an Idaho Department of Health and Welfare mental facility for evaluation.

June 24, 2021 – Lori indicted in Arizona for conspiracy to murder Charles Vallow. Arizona Case

June 29, 2021 – Lori formally charged with first-degree murder of her ex-husband, Charles Vallow. The indictment states she conspired with her brother, Alex Cox, to commit the murder. Arizona Case

August 5, 2021 – Prosecutors announce they will seek the death penalty for Chad Daybell due to the heinous nature of the murders.

September 1, 2021 – Chad’s children publicly defend him, claiming Lori and Alex Cox framed him.

September 30, 2021 – Charles Vallow’s death was officially ruled a homicide by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office.

October 5, 2021 – Judge Boyce moves the trial to Ada County due to extensive media coverage.

2022 – Pre-Trial:

• April 11, 2022 – Lori found competent to stand trial.
• May 2, 2022 – Prosecutors announce they will seek the death penalty for Lori.
• August 2022 – Cameras banned from the courtroom to prevent media interference.
• October 6, 2022 – Lori’s trial delayed again due to competency concerns.

2023 – Trial

• March 2, 2023 – Lori and Chad’s cases severed.
• March 21, 2023 – A judge ruled Lori will not face the death penalty in her trial.
• April 3, 2023 – Jury selection began for Lori’s murder trial for the murders of J.J. Vallow, Tylee Ryan, and Tammy Daybell. Chad Daybell’s trial would be held separately.
• April 10, 2023 – Opening statements began in Lori’s trial. Prosecutor Lindsey Blake revealed Tammy Daybell’s cause of death was asphyxiation.Blake argued Lori manipulated others through “money, power, and sex.”
• “Lori will remove any obstacle in her way to get what she wanted, and she wanted Chad Daybell.”
• April 11, 2023 – Detective Ray Hermosillo testified about the horrifying discovery of J.J. and Tylee’s remains in Chad Daybell’s backyard in 2020.
• Tylee’s remains were burned and dismembered.
• J.J. was found buried in a plastic bag with duct tape covering his mouth.
• April 14, 2023 – Zulema Pastenes, Alex Cox’s wife, testified about his suspicious behavior before his death.The night before Alex died, he was on the phone with Lori and Chad, who told him Tammy Daybell’s body was being exhumed.
• Alex told Zulema: “I think I am being their fall guy.”
• The next morning (December 12, 2019), Alex was found dead. His cause of death was ruled natural (blood clots in lungs), but suspicions remain.
• April 18, 2023 – Phoenix police announced they were reviewing the death of Joseph Ryan, Lori’s third husband.
• May 12, 2023 – Lori Vallow Daybell was found guilty on all charges, including the first-degree murders of her children, J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and conspiracy to commit the murder of Tammy Daybell.
• July 31, 2023 – Lori was sentenced to five life terms without the possibility of parole for the murders of J.J., Tylee, and Tammy.
• November 29, 2023 – Chad Daybell appeared in court, where a judge ruled that his trial would be livestreamed to the public. His trial was scheduled to begin on April 1, 2024.
• December 7, 2023 – Lori was extradited to Arizona to face charges of conspiring to kill Charles Vallow and Brandon Boudreaux. She appeared for her arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

2024

• April 1, 2024 – Chad Daybell’s trial commenced at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho. ​
• April 10, 2024 – Opening statements began. Prosecutor Rob Wood depicted Chad as a man motivated by “sex, money, and power,” suggesting he viewed his spouse and Lori’s children as obstacles to his desired destiny. Chad’s attorney, John Prior, portrayed him as a religious man “lured” into adultery by Lori Vallow, emphasizing Alex Cox’s history of violence and his role as “Lori’s protector.”
• May 16, 2024 – Chad’s defense team filed a motion for acquittal due to a clerical error in the indictment regarding J.J. Vallow’s date of death. Judge Boyce ruled that this error was not grounds for acquittal.
• May 20, 2024 – Two of Chad’s children, Emma and Garth, testified in defense of their father, stating their mother, Tammy Daybell, had been experiencing health problems and “was getting tired extremely easily.” However, three former colleagues of Tammy testified she seemed healthy and energetic up until the day before her death.
• May 23, 2024 – The defense rested its case without Chad taking the stand.
• May 30, 2024 – After approximately six hours of deliberation, the jury found Chad Daybell guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy in the deaths of Tammy, Tylee, and J.J. He was also found guilty of grand theft by deception related to the children’s killings and insurance fraud related to Tammy’s death.
• June 1, 2024 – Chad Daybell was sentenced to death. For the insurance fraud charges, he received 15 years in prison, each to run concurrent to the death sentence, and was ordered to pay restitution of $130,000 plus $300,000.

Arizona Trial – Arizona Trial

Lori faces separate charges in Arizona related to the murder of Charles Vallow and the attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux. Lori Vallow Daybell has chosen to represent herself in these proceedings. Lori Vallow Daybell is also accused of attempted murder in connection with her ex-nephew-in-law, Brandon Boudreaux.The shootings of Charles and Brandon occurred within months of each other in 2019. No trial date has been set for the case involving Brandon Boudreaux. ​

• March 18, 2025 – Pre-trial conference scheduled before the official start of the trial.
• March 31, 2025 – Jury selection begins for Lori Vallow Daybell’s Arizona trial.
• April 7, 2025 – Opening statements are scheduled to begin, pending jury selection completion for Details visit Arizona Trial