Lori Vallow Daybell, the woman at the center of one of America’s most disturbing criminal cases, has finally broken her silence following her conviction. Two days after a jury found her guilty of conspiring to murder her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, Lori spoke exclusively with True Crime Arizona correspondent Briana Whitney. In her first public comments, Lori admitted she was surprised by the verdict, even though she recognized the possibility of conviction. “It was a bit of a surprise actually,” she said during the interview published on April 24, 2025.
The jury reached their decision after three hours of deliberations spread over two days. Lori, who bizarrely chose to represent herself at trial, now awaits sentencing.
The Killing of Charles Vallow
The case against Lori Vallow centered around the death of her husband Charles Vallow, who was fatally shot on July 11, 2019. During her trial, Lori argued that it was her brother, Alex Cox, who killed Charles in an act of self-defense to protect her and her daughter, Tylee Ryan. However, prosecutors painted a far darker motive, alleging that Lori sought Charles’ death to access his life insurance money and freely pursue her relationship with Chad Daybell, a religious author known for his doomsday writings.
Although Alex Cox was never charged — he died later in 2019 from natural causes — the jury clearly sided with the prosecution’s version of events, leading to Lori’s conviction.
A Pattern of Tragedy and Death
The murder of Charles Vallow was not an isolated event. Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell were also found guilty of the murders of Lori’s two children: 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old Joshua “J.J.” Vallow. The siblings disappeared in September 2019, and their remains were found buried on Chad Daybell’s Idaho property nearly a year later in June 2020.
Both Lori and Chad are now serving life sentences for their roles in these horrific crimes. The case has captured national attention due to its chilling blend of religious extremism, familial betrayal, and cold-blooded violence.
Lori’s Response to Questions About Her Daughter
During her recent interview, Lori Vallow was asked what it felt like to see footage of her late daughter Tylee, shown during the trial as part of body camera evidence. Her response was startlingly detached: “Well, I understand where Tylee is — in heaven. I know what she’s doing and where she is, so it’s been almost six years since she passed away.”
Her answer, steeped in spiritual belief, offered no remorse or acknowledgment of wrongdoing, continuing the pattern of denial and disconnection that marked her behavior throughout the investigation and trial.
Motivations Behind the Crimes
Prosecutors argued that greed and fanaticism motivated Lori Vallow’s actions. Charles Vallow had recently filed for divorce before his death, expressing concerns for his safety and the well-being of his children. Lori’s obsession with apocalyptic prophecies and her desire to be with Chad Daybell were cited as driving forces behind the fatal conspiracy. Life insurance policies, radical religious beliefs, and the elimination of perceived obstacles seemed to intertwine tragically in Lori’s mind, leading to an unfathomable chain of murders.
Moving Toward Sentencing
Although Lori Vallow is already serving life sentences for the deaths of her children, her conviction for conspiring to murder Charles Vallow adds another grim chapter to her legal saga. Sentencing in this case is still pending.
The families of the victims, as well as the public, continue to seek closure. Lori’s statements suggest she remains unrepentant, framing her actions and the devastating consequences as part of a greater spiritual narrative rather than a series of criminal acts.
A Case That Shook the Nation
The story of Lori Vallow Daybell stands as one of the most disturbing criminal cases of the decade. Her complex web of lies, manipulation, and deadly ambition shocked the world, leaving behind a trail of innocent victims and heartbroken families.
Conclusion
As Lori faces the remainder of her life behind bars, the public remains both fascinated and horrified by her continued lack of remorse and her steadfast devotion to a belief system that ultimately led to so much death and destruction.
