Lori Vallow statement: ‘Cult mom’ gets life in prison for murders of her children and Tammy Daybell
Moment Lori Vallow sentenced to life in prison with no parole for murders of her children
“Cult mom” Lori Vallow has been sentenced to life in prison with no parole for the murders of her two children in a dramatic case that gripped the nation.
Vallow, 50, was convicted in May of killing her seven-year-old son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 16-year-old daughter Tylee Ryan, who vanished without a trace in September 2019. She was also found guilty of conspiring to kill her husband Chad Daybell’s first wife, Tammy, who died in October 2019.
The verdict came after prosecutors convinced a jury that Vallow and Mr Daybell conspired with her brother Alex Cox to murder Tammy, JJ and Tylee as part of their bizarre cult beliefs – but also for financial purposes so that they could collect Tammy’s life insurance money and the children’s social security and survivor benefits.
Before the sentence was handed down, the court heard victim impact statements from several family members devastated by the harrowing saga that’s seen countless twists and turns over four years.
To the surprise of many, Vallow spoke herself and appeared to show no remorse for the deaths of her children and Tammy, claiming they were “busy” and “happy” in heaven.
She appeared emotionless as the sentence was handed down.
Lori Vallow: Mom-of-three, beauty queen – and convicted killer
Mother of three, former game show contestant, a Mrs Texas Beauty Pageant entrant, a cult follower… and now a convicted killer…
Oliver O’Connell1 August 2023 05:30
Vallow breaks silence in bizarre sentencing statement
A sobbing Lori Vallow shockingly claimed that “no one was murdered” as she broke her silence for the first time over the horrific murders of her two children and her lover’s wife in a chilling statement at sentencing.
In the bizarre remarks, the so-called “cult mom” read out a Bible quote, spoke of visiting “heaven” and continued to channel her doomsday cult beliefs while claiming “I have had many communications with Jesus Christ”.
While her victims’ loved ones were forced to listen in horror, she claimed that she had communicated with her murdered children Tylee Ryan and Joshua “JJ” Vallow as well as “her friend” Tammy Daybell from beyond the grave – and that they are “very happy”.
Oliver O’Connell1 August 2023 04:30
Timeline of ‘doomsday cult mom’ mystery case
Here’s a timeline of the tragic and bizarre case:
Timeline of the Lori Vallow Daybell story
After two years of delays in the trial, Lori Vallow was found guilty of the murders of her children. But the case spans a deeply disturbing pattern of unexplained deaths and bizarre cult beliefs about killing zombies
Oliver O’Connell1 August 2023 03:30
All the key revelations from Lori Vallow’s murder trial
Rachel Sharp explains the most crucial moments so far in her high-profile trial, which ended with Vallow’s conviction for the murder of her two youngest children.
Oliver O’Connell1 August 2023 02:30
Why one of Vallow’s accomplices will never face justice
Rachel Sharp reports on how Alex Cox can never be brought to justice having dropped dead as the net closed in on the doomsday cult killings.
So was he an equal co-conspirator or was he – as he feared – Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell’s ‘fall guy’?
Oliver O’Connell1 August 2023 01:30
What happens next now that Lori Vallow has been sentenced to a life behind bars?
While her fate may mark the culmination of a chilling case that spans bizarre cult beliefs, missing children, murder and mystery deaths, the saga is still far from over.
Here’s what’s coming next in the shocking case:
Oliver O’Connell31 July 2023 23:30
Vallow is ‘misunderstood’ and ‘all about love’, defence claims
Lori Vallow’s attorney claimed that the “cult mom” who murdered her two children and conspired to kill her new lover’s wife is “misunderstood” and is actually “all about love” as he asked the judge for leniency at her sentencing hearing.
Oliver O’Connell31 July 2023 23:00
Lori Vallow Daybell makes her way into court for her sentencing hearing at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho, on 31 July 2023
(AP)
Oliver O’Connell31 July 2023 22:45
Full story: Vallow sentenced to life in prison for murders of two children and Chad Daybell’s wife
Oliver O’Connell31 July 2023 22:30
Lori Vallow gives court statement as she faces life in prison
Oliver O’Connell31 July 2023 22:00
