Tylee and JJ disappeared in September 2019, when Tylee was 16 and JJ was 7. (Earlier reports suggested Tylee was 17, but updated timelines confirm she was 16—almost 17—at the time of her death.) Their remains were discovered in June 2020 in Chad’s backyard.

In May 2021, Chad and Lori were charged with murder in the deaths of Tylee, JJ, and Tammy. Lori was also indicted in Arizona for conspiracy to commit murder in connection to the death of Charles Vallow and an attempted murder plot against Brandon Boudreaux, her former nephew-in-law.

Chad was held in Fremont County Jail from June 2020 until March 21, 2024, when he was transferred to Ada County Jail ahead of his trial. Lori was initially placed in the custody of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare in June 2021, but in April 2022, she was deemed competent to stand trial. She was later convicted and sentenced to three life sentences without parole. After serving time at Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center, Lori was transferred to Maricopa County, Arizona, where she awaits trial on additional charges.

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Lori Vallow Daybell, born Lori Norene Cox on June 26, 1973, in San Bernardino, California, is a woman whose life journey spiraled from beauty pageants and family life to one of the most disturbing criminal cases in recent American history. She was born to Barry and Janis Cox, in a family deeply affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Lori grew up with several siblings, including her older brother Alex Cox, who would later become a pivotal figure in the tragic events surrounding her story.

Lori spent her early years in Southern California, and in 1991, she graduated from high school in Rialto, California. Those who knew her in her youth described her as charismatic, outgoing, and spiritual—someone who appeared deeply devoted to her family and her faith. She presented an image of a doting mother and faithful churchgoer, often described as warm and nurturing.

In 2004, Lori—then going by the name Lori Ryan—stepped briefly into the public eye. She competed in the Mrs. Texas pageant, where she advanced to become a semi-finalist. Though ultimately eliminated in the final round.

That same year, she made another appearance, this time on national television. Lori competed on the game show Wheel of Fortune, where she won $17,000, showcasing her quick wit and ease under pressure.

These moments reflected the carefully curated image she maintained—a bright, articulate woman who embodied the American ideal of wife, mother, and faithful believer.

Lori’s personal life, however, was far more complex. Over the years, she married five times, each relationship marking a chapter in a story that would eventually turn dark:

Nelson Yanes – Married in 1992, ended in divorce. No children.

William Lagioia – Married from 1995 to 1996, ended in divorce. One child: Colby Ryan.

Joseph Ryan – Married from 2001 to 2004, ended in divorce. One child: Tylee Ryan. Joseph died in 2018 of an apparent heart attack.

Charles Vallow – Married from 2005 to 2019, ended in Charles’ death. One adopted child: Joshua “JJ” Vallow. Charles also had two children from his previous marriage to Cheryl Wheeler.

Chad Daybell – Married in 2019 (still legally married). Chad had five children with his previous wife, Tammy Daybell, who is now deceased.

• 2007: Alex was convicted of aggravated assault for attacking Lori’s third husband, Joseph Ryan, with a stun gun. He served 90 days in jail.
• July 11, 2019: Alex shot and killed Charles Vallow, Lori’s fourth husband, in Chandler, Arizona. He claimed self-defense, but many believe it was a planned killing.
• September 2019: Alex was last seen with Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow before their disappearance. Phone records place him at Chad Daybell’s property, where their bodies were later found.
• October 2019: Alex was suspected of attempting to kill Brandon Boudreaux, the ex-husband of Lori’s niece, Melani Pawlowski.
• December 12, 2019: Alex Cox died suddenly at 51 years old from an apparent blood clot in his lung. Some speculate that his death was not natural.

The Cox family’s dynamic—particularly the influence of religious extremism and Alex’s unwavering loyalty to Lori—played a crucial role in the unfolding of this tragic case.

Marriage to Debbie and Troubling Family Behavior:

In 1992 Alex Cox married Debbie Cox in 1992. Their marriage lasted only a few months before ending in divorce in 1993.

When the Daybell case broke, Debbie reached out to Chandler, Arizona, detectives, and in September 2020, she participated in a recorded interview with investigators.

Debbie told investigators:

“There were so many crazy dynamics in that family. … It caused a lot of issues right away, and it actually made me scared and nervous.”

She described disturbing behavior between Alex and his sister, Lori, saying that

they engaged in inappropriate sexual touching and would simulate sex acts in front of her and the rest of the family.

“He also talked about (how she was) hot, and he sexualized her quite a bit. He did touch her breast and things,”

According to Debbie, Alex saw nothing wrong with his behavior, which led to frequent arguments between them.

She also revealed that Alex struggled with controlling his sex drive, which ultimately led to his excommunication from the Mormon Church during their brief marriage.

“While he and I were married, he got excommunicated from the Mormon church. … He was always really convicted in the faith, but where Alex is weak is he was just sexually promiscuous, (and) he kept getting kicked out of the church because I think he was a sex addict.”

Debbie learned Cox slept with a 15-year-old girl, and the teen’s father began looking for him to take care of the problem on his own. She said there was “too much promiscuity surrounding sex in our marriage early on,” and that played into their divorce.

“Alex and I only lived together married about four or five months. Then I just knew that family was too weird and that I made a big mistake, so I got out.”

The marriage between Debbie and Cox lasted only a year, but the two kept in touch for years, according to Debbie. She says the last time she spoke to Cox was shortly after he got out of jail for attacking Daybell’s third husband, Joseph Ryan, in Texas.

These revelations shed light on the deeply unsettling family dynamics within the Cox household, reinforcing suspicions about Alex’s unwavering loyalty to Lori and his troubling behavioral history.

Marriage to Zulema Pastenes

• Two weeks before his sudden death in December 2019, Alex Cox married Zulema Pastenes.

She later testified at Lori Vallow Daybell’s trial and provided statements to Chandler Police.

• Zulema revealed that Chad and Lori had urged her and Alex to move to Rexburg, Idaho, where they were gathering their followers. In hindsight, she believes that if she had relocated, she “would not be alive today.”

“I now (see) that they had a real nefarious plan to do something to me or Alex or that we were the final piece to move to Rexburg, and by the grace of God, I didn’t move there.”

• Zulema’s testimony suggests that Chad and Lori saw Alex as disposable, reinforcing theories that he was a key enforcer in their crimes—but was ultimately expendable

Idaho court documents show Cox’s phone placed him at the location where the remains of JJ and Tylee were found around the time they disappeared. No one has been charged in the kids’ deaths, but Chad and Lori Daybell are charged with felonies related to the concealment, alteration and destruction of their bodies.

Marriage to Melani Boudreaux (Pawlowski) and Divorce

Brandon Boudreaux was married to Melani Boudreaux (now Pawlowski), the niece of Lori Vallow. They lived in Arizona with their children and were an average family—until Melani became heavily involved with Lori and Chad Daybell’s extremist religious beliefs.

In 2019, Brandon noticed a drastic change in Melani’s behavior. She began talking about “zombies” and Lori and Chad’s spiritual teachings, which included ranking people as ‘light’ or ‘dark’ based on their perceived spiritual purity. She claimed that Brandon was “possessed by a dark spirit” and that his soul had been replaced by a demon named Nick Schneider—a concept that was central to Lori and Chad’s cult-like ideology.

By the summer of 2019, Brandon and Melani divorced. Brandon believed that Melani had been manipulated by Lori and Chad and that she was willing to go to dangerous lengths to prove her faith in their teachings.

Attempted Murder – The Shooting Incident (October 2, 2019)

Shortly after the divorce, Brandon became the target of a failed assassination attempt.

• On October 2, 2019, as Brandon pulled into his driveway in Gilbert, Arizona, a gunman in a Jeep Wrangler (which was later linked to Lori Vallow’s late husband, Charles Vallow) fired a rifle at him.
• The bullet shattered the driver’s side window of his Tesla, but Brandon was able to speed away and escape unharmed.
• The shooter fled the scene, and police later determined that the Jeep belonged to Charles Vallow, who had been killed by Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, three months earlier.
• Investigators suspected that the gunman was Alex Cox, Lori’s brother, who was also implicated in the deaths of Charles Vallow, Tylee Ryan, and JJ Vallow.

Brandon believed the attack was orchestrated by Lori, Chad, Melani, and Alex Cox because he had become a threat to their group. He later told law enforcement that he was supposed to be dead and that Lori’s group saw him as an “obstacle” to their plans.

Custody Battle and Legal Allegations

Following the attack, Brandon took legal action against Melani Boudreaux to protect their children.

• He alleged in court documents that Melani was involved in a cult and that she had conspired with Lori and Chad.
• He warned that Melani’s new husband, Ian Pawlowski, was also being drawn into the same dangerous ideology.
• Brandon went into hiding with his children because he feared for their safety.
• He accused Melani of trying to kidnap their children and of being involved in Lori and Chad’s criminal activities.

During the custody battle, Ian Pawlowski’s police statements revealed that Melani had told him about the shooting and that “sometimes people have to die” as part of their religious beliefs. Ian worked with the FBI to provide information on Melani and Lori’s group.

Brandon’s Warnings About Lori and Chad

Brandon was one of the first people to sound the alarm about Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell’s dangerous beliefs.

• He claimed that Lori’s group practiced ‘spiritual warfare’ and believed that some people were no longer human but were instead possessed by demons (or zombies).
• He insisted that Lori and Chad were responsible for Charles Vallow’s death and that Alex Cox was their enforcer.
• He told authorities that JJ and Tylee were in danger, but his concerns were initially ignored.

Tragically, his warnings were proven right when JJ and Tylee’s remains were discovered on Chad Daybell’s property in June 2020.

Where Is Brandon Boudreaux Now?

Brandon remarried and continues to live a private life, focusing on raising his children. He has been vocal about seeking justice for JJ and Tylee and continues to cooperate with law enforcement regarding the ongoing cases against Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell.

His testimony and legal battles helped expose the dark nature of Lori and Chad’s beliefs, making him a key figure in the unraveling of the case.

Joseph Anthony Ryan Jr. was Lori Vallow’s third husband and the biological father of Tylee Ryan.

• He married Lori in 2001, and they divorced in 2004 after a contentious marriage.
• Following the divorce, they became embroiled in a bitter custody battle over Tylee, with Lori making serious accusations of abuse against Joseph.

In 2018, Joseph Ryan died of an apparent heart attack in his Phoenix, Arizona, apartment. His body was not discovered until a week later.

• His death was ruled natural, but later revelations raised suspicions that Lori and her brother, Alex Cox, may have been involved.

Alex Cox’s Assault on Joseph Ryan

• In 2007, Alex Cox attacked Joseph Ryan with a stun gun outside a supervised visitation center where Joseph was supposed to meet Tylee.
• Alex threatened to kill Joseph and was later convicted of aggravated assault and served 90 days in jail.
• This attack foreshadowed the pattern of violent actions that Alex would later commit on behalf of Lori, including the killing of Charles Vallow and his likely role in the deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan.

Joseph Ryan’s Family Speaks Out

After the discovery of JJ and Tylee’s bodies in June 2020, Joseph Ryan’s sister, Annie Cushing, became an outspoken advocate for justice.

• Annie Cushing had long suspected foul play in Joseph’s death and publicly questioned whether Alex Cox had played a role in it.
• She revealed that Lori had expressed extreme hatred toward Joseph, even laughing about his death years later.
• In a 2018 audio recording, Lori was heard talking about wanting Joseph dead, claiming that he was an evil person.
• Annie pointed out that Tylee had a complicated relationship with Lori and was likely silenced to cover up past crimes.

Tylee Ryan – A Victim of Her Mother’s Dark Beliefs

• Tylee Ryan, born in 2002, was just 16 years old when she was murdered.
• She was last seen alive on September 8, 2019, during a family trip to Yellowstone National Park with Lori, JJ Vallow, and Alex Cox.
• Her remains were later found burned and dismembered on Chad Daybell’s property in June 2020.
• Many believe that Tylee was killed because she knew too much about her mother’s crimes, including Joseph Ryan’s suspicious death and Charles Vallow’s murder.

Suspicion Around Joseph Ryan’s Death

While Joseph Ryan’s cause of death was officially ruled natural (heart attack), some believe that Lori and Alex may have been involved.

• Annie Cushing has called for an investigation into whether Joseph was poisoned or otherwise harmed.
• Given that Alex Cox mysteriously died in December 2019, there is no way to question him further about his possible role in Joseph’s death.
• The pattern of deaths surrounding Lori Vallow, including Charles Vallow, Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow, and Alex Cox, has fueled speculation that Joseph Ryan may have been another victim.

The Ryan Family’s Continued Search for Justice

Annie Cushing and others from Joseph Ryan’s family have continued to demand accountability for Lori Vallow’s actions.

• They have pushed for further investigations into Joseph’s death.
• They have worked to keep Tylee’s memory alive, highlighting how she was a victim of Lori’s twisted beliefs.
• Annie has spoken in interviews and podcasts, raising awareness about the case and advocating for changes in how child custody battles involving abuse allegations are handled.

The Ryan family’s tragedy is deeply intertwined with Lori Vallow’s path of destruction, and they continue to seek answers and justice for both Joseph Ryan and Tylee Ryan.

Chad Guy Daybell was born in 1968 and was known as a religious author, doomsday prepper, and self-proclaimed prophet.

He wrote several books about the end times, visions, and near-death experiences, which gained a following among some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).

Chad believed he had the ability to communicate with spirits and see who was “light” or “dark.”

Chad’s Religious Obsession and the Decline of Their Marriage

• Over time, Chad’s religious beliefs became increasingly extreme.
• He wrote books about near-death experiences, visions, and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, which gained a small but devoted following.
• Chad began claiming that he could see spirits and rank people as either ‘light’ or ‘dark’ based on their spiritual purity.
• Around 2018, Chad met Lori Vallow, a woman who shared his apocalyptic beliefs.
• Their relationship quickly turned romantic, despite both being married to other people.

Tammy, unaware of Chad’s affair with Lori, continued to be a devoted wife and mother.

He met Lori Vallow in 2018, and they bonded over their shared apocalyptic beliefs. Their relationship quickly escalated into murder, deception, and a criminal conspiracy.

Tammy Daybell – Chad’s First Wife and Her Mysterious Death:

• Tamara “Tammy” Douglas Daybell was born in 1970 and married Chad in 1990.
• They had five children together and lived in Rexburg, Idaho.
• Tammy was healthy and had no known medical conditions.
• On October 9, 2019, she reported that a masked gunman tried to shoot her outside her home but survived.
• Ten days later, on October 19, 2019, she died suddenly in her sleep.
• Chad refused an autopsy, and her death was initially ruled as natural causes.
• Just two weeks later, on November 5, 2019, Chad married Lori Vallow in Hawaii.
• Authorities later exhumed Tammy’s body in December 2019, and an autopsy confirmed that she had been murdered (asphyxiation/suffocation).

Chad and Tammy’s Children

Chad and Tammy Daybell had five children, who have remained largely private since their father’s arrest. However, some of them have publicly defended him, insisting that he is innocent.

Their children include:

• Garth Daybell
• Emma Daybell Murray
• Seth Daybell
• Mark Daybell
• Leah Daybell

Emma Murray (née Daybell) has been one of the most vocal supporters of Chad. She has defended him in interviews and even claimed that Tammy’s death was natural despite the autopsy findings.

Lori and Chad’s Relationship – The Catalyst for Murder

• Chad and Lori began a romantic relationship in 2018, despite both being married at the time.
• Chad told Lori that they had been married in previous lives and were destined to lead the 144,000 chosen people during the Second Coming of Christ.
• They claimed that JJ and Tylee were “dark spirits” or “zombies” who needed to be eliminated.
• Chad’s apocalyptic teachings played a key role in the deaths of JJ, Tylee, and Tammy.
• After their November 5, 2019 wedding, Lori and Chad avoided law enforcement until they were arrested in 2020.
• The Daybell family home in Rexburg has been searched multiple times by the FBI and law enforcement.
• Tammy’s sister Samantha Gwilliam told police about the pet cemetery on the Daybell property, which led to the discovery of Tylee and JJ’s bodies.
• Tammy’s body was exhumed in December 2019 and the medical examiner said she died from asphyxiation.
• Chad and Tammy’s children have distanced themselves from the case, with some defending their father while others remain silent.

Tammy’s Body Is Exhumed – The Truth Revealed

• As law enforcement investigated the disappearance of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, they started re-examining Tammy’s death.
• On December 11, 2019, Tammy’s body was exhumed in Utah for an autopsy.
• In April 2021, it was revealed that Tammy was murdered—she had been asphyxiated (likely suffocated).

This directly contradicted Chad’s claims that she had died of natural causes. It became clear that Tammy had been eliminated so Chad could be with Lori and fulfill their ‘spiritual mission’ together.

Charges and Justice for Tammy

• In June 2020, Chad was arrested when JJ and Tylee’s remains were found buried on his property.
• In May 2021, Chad Daybell was formally charged with first-degree murder in Tammy Daybell’s death.
• Lori Vallow was also charged in connection with Tammy’s murder.
• The motive was likely to remove Tammy from the picture so Chad could pursue his relationship with Lori and continue his extremist religious beliefs unchallenged.

The Daybell family’s involvement in the case remains controversial, with many questioning how Chad’s extremist beliefs led to multiple deaths and whether his children knew more than they admitted.