Phoenix, Arizona – Lori Vallow Daybell’s doomsday beliefs have led her down a dark path, resulting in the deaths of her two youngest children and a conspiracy to murder her estranged husband. On Tuesday, a jury in Arizona found her guilty of conspiring to kill her husband, adding to the life sentences she is already serving in Idaho for the murders of her children and her husband’s wife. The case unravelled a twisted web of deception and fanaticism surrounding Vallow Daybell and her husband, Chad Daybell, both of whom were driven by extremist religious beliefs.
Prosecutors revealed that Vallow Daybell, with the help of her brother, orchestrated the shooting death of her husband in 2019, with the motive being the life insurance policy payout and the opportunity to marry Chad Daybell. This heinous act was just one in a series of gruesome events that included claims from the couple that their children were zombies and Vallow Daybell was a god-like figure tasked with bringing about an apocalypse.
Throughout the trial in Arizona, Vallow Daybell opted to defend herself, displaying a lack of seriousness according to one juror who noted her tendency to laugh and smile in court. Despite her attempts to paint the killing as an act of self-defense, the jury ultimately found her guilty. Vallow’s own family members expressed relief at the jury’s decision, emphasizing that justice has been served.
In the wake of Vallow’s death, her husband had sought a divorce, citing her obsession with near-death experiences and outlandish claims about her past lives. His intention to have her undergo a mental health evaluation speaks to the extent of her troubling behavior and beliefs. The chilling details that emerged during the trial shed light on the extent of Vallow Daybell’s involvement in a dark world of murder plots and misguided faith.
Looking ahead, Vallow Daybell is set to stand trial once more, accused of conspiring to kill her niece’s ex-husband. The cycle of violence and fanaticism that has marked Vallow Daybell’s life serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of extremism and delusion. As the legal proceedings continue, the full extent of her crimes and the impact on those around her will continue to unfold.