Lori Vallow Daybell, known as the ‘Doomsday’ cult mom, cruelly took the lives of her two children, believing they were ‘zombies’. The tragic incident shocked the nation, leading to her conviction for the murders of Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua ‘JJ’ Vallow, seven.
In a trial that captured widespread attention, Vallow Daybell was also found guilty of conspiring to kill her husband’s former spouse, Tammy Daybell, as well as grand theft. Throughout the legal proceedings, her bizarre beliefs, influenced by her doomsday partner Chad Daybell, sparked outrage among the public.
Chad Daybell, claiming to have experienced multiple lives on similar planets, propagated teachings categorizing individuals as “light” or “dark”, associating them with followers of Jesus Christ or Satan, respectively. He described his wife as an “eternal being” with numerous past lives, including marriages with him.
The couple’s delusions led them to believe that their own children, Tylee and JJ, were ‘zombies’ inhabited by evil spirits, prompting them to commit the heinous act to release their souls. Vallow Daybell, in a chilling statement, expressed certainty that her deceased children were content in the spirit world, influenced by her alleged divine connections.
Despite not being present during the tragic events, Vallow Daybell’s third child, Colby Ryan, distanced himself from his mother’s actions, as evidenced during a panel discussion at CrimeCon 2025. In a poignant moment, a message from his mother, hinting at biblical references, was relayed to him, emphasizing her perceived righteousness.
Rejecting any desire to reconnect with his mother, Colby interpreted her message as an attempt to justify her actions and portray herself in a positive light. The trials of Vallow Daybell and Daybell resulted in separate outcomes, with Vallow Daybell receiving a life sentence without parole in 2023, while Daybell faced the death penalty in 2024 for his involvement.
Furthermore, Vallow Daybell faced additional legal consequences for her role in conspiring to murder two other individuals in separate trials in Arizona. The series of events surrounding this tragic case have left a lasting impact on all involved, underscoring the devastating consequences of extreme beliefs and actions.
