Doomsday Murders: 20 Shocking Twists in the Vallow–Daybell Case
From missing children to apocalyptic beliefs and a twisted romance that ended in death, the Vallow–Daybell murders became one of the most disturbing true crime stories in recent memory. Here’s a gripping breakdown of the most chilling moments in the case that captivated the nation.
Two Kids, One Vanished Mother, Zero Answers
When Lori Vallow’s children, 7-year-old JJ and 16-year-old Tylee, disappeared in September 2019, their mother offered no explanation. She told some relatives they were “fine,” while refusing to let others see them. Months passed with no sign of the kids, and Vallow acted like nothing was wrong.
The public’s panic grew as Lori skipped town with her new husband Chad Daybell, all while dodging police questions. What mother vacations in Hawaii while her children are missing? Investigators knew something was terribly wrong, but the truth was darker than anyone could imagine.
Chad Daybell’s Prophecies of Death
Chad Daybell wasn’t just a doomsday prepper—he was a self-proclaimed prophet who claimed he could “see beyond the veil.” He told Lori that her husband, her children, and even her friends were possessed by dark spirits—and that their deaths were necessary for salvation.
These beliefs weren’t just delusions. They became a checklist. Chad ranked people by spiritual “light or dark” scores, and those he labeled as irredeemably dark often ended up dead. His apocalypse wasn’t just near—it was something he believed he had to help bring about.
The Sudden Death of Charles Vallow
In July 2019, Lori’s fourth husband, Charles Vallow, was shot dead by her brother, Alex Cox. Lori claimed Charles was abusive, but bodycam footage showed Charles pleading with police to protect him—he feared Lori thought he was “possessed.”
Cox said it was self-defense, and police didn’t arrest him. But later texts and evidence revealed Lori had called Charles a “zombie” and believed his death was necessary. The killing was just the beginning. Charles tried to warn authorities, but by then, Lori and Chad’s doomsday fantasy was already taking deadly form.
Marriage in Paradise, Kids Nowhere in Sight
Just weeks after Chad Daybell’s wife Tammy died unexpectedly in October 2019, he and Lori got married on a beach in Kauai. There were no signs of grief—only wedding rings and tropical smiles. But something was missing. Two things, actually: JJ and Tylee.
Family members back home were frantic. Why weren’t the kids at the wedding? Why hadn’t anyone seen them in weeks? Authorities grew suspicious, especially after Chad and Lori refused to answer any questions about their whereabouts. The couple was enjoying paradise. The children, it turned out, were already dead.