Lori Vallow defense: 'A person's life is on the line'

The latest timeline in the Lori and Chad Daybell murder instance

Daybell Example

Published at 2:twoscore pm, May 29, 2022 |Updated at 2:41 pm, May 29, 2022

tylee jj — Joshua 'JJ' Vallow and Tylee Ryan | Facebook and Instagram

Editor's note: This timeline was originally published Jan. 17, 2020. Information technology has been updated with the latest events as of May 29, 2022.

REXBURG — In December 2019, the world learned that two children, Joshua "JJ" Vallow, and his sister, Tylee Ryan, were missing.

Since then, a complicated story spanning multiple states and law enforcement agencies has unfolded. Hither is a timeline of events in the instance.

RELATED | Constabulary searching for Rexburg children believed to be in serious danger

Pre-2019

Chad and Tammy Daybell married on March 9, 1990, in Manti, Utah, according to her obituary. The couple lived in Springville, Utah, where they founded Jump Creek Book Company, through which Chad published many of his books. The couple had five children earlier moving to their domicile in Salem, Idaho, in 2015. Tammy worked as a schoolhouse librarian.
In 2006, wedlock records evidence Lori Ryan married her fourth husband, Charles Vallow. Lori entered the union with her son, Colby, and Tylee, the daughter with her third husband, Joseph Ryan Jr. Family members say in 2014, Charles and Lori adopted Joshua "JJ" Vallow. He is the biological grandson of Charles' sister Kay Woodcock, who is married to Larry Woodcock.
Social media posts betoken that one-time in 2014, the Vallows moved to the isle of Kauai in Hawaii. The couple operated a small business on the isle, as indicated past business records. The family then moved back to the mainland between 2016 and 2017.
While the Vallow family lived in Arizona, Tylee's male parent, Joseph Ryan, died on April 3, 2018. According to a copy of the medical examiner's report, the cause of death was ruled a heart attack. He was cremated and trivial other information is available most his death.
Almost i year earlier the public announcement of the cases, Chad and Lori fabricated their outset appearance together on the Preparing a People podcast "Fourth dimension to Warrior Up." The two appeared with others on several of the podcasts – many focused on the terminate of the world. Preparing a People has since removed the podcast and publicly dissociated itself from the couple.
A felony indictment indicates that on Oct. 26, 2018, Lori and Chad began discussing their religious beliefs to justify killing Tammy, JJ and Tylee. The couple is believed to have met around this time at a religious conference in St. George, Utah

2019

Arizona police torso camera footage shows Charles pleading for Lori to receive mental health help at Community Bridges on Jan. 31. Officers determined she had a normal state of mind and she was medically cleared past Customs Bridges.
Charles files for divorce from Lori in Feb. He claims she views herself as a god preparing for the second coming of Christ, according to courtroom documents obtained past Fox10 Phoenix. Charles claims his married woman would kill him if he got in her way to perform her mission. Divorce proceedings are afterward stopped after Charles says he wants to make the matrimony piece of work.
During divorce proceedings, the family says Lori disappears to Hawaii in Feb for most two months and leaves the children with others.
Around June, Lori'southward niece, Melani Boudreaux, demands a divorce from her husband, Brandon Boudreaux, as outset reported by Fox13 Salt Lake City. Brandon claims Melani affiliated herself with similar beliefs equally her aunt and joined "a cult." The demands for a divorce come up as a shock to Brandon as he thought their marriage was fine.
On July 11, Lori's brother, Alex Cox, shoots and kills Charles. Alex says the shooting was in self-defence force. Past the end of August, Lori, Tylee, JJ, Alex and Melani motion to Rexburg, Idaho.
Merely days after Charles is killed, Chad sends multiple texts to Lori in what investigators call a "romance novel." Chad, who is still married to Tammy, describes in detail a sexual human relationship between James and Elena, the names he reportedly uses to substitute for himself and Lori.
On Sept. viii, Tylee, JJ, Lori and Alex visit Yellowstone National Park. Officials say this is the last fourth dimension anyone saw Tylee alive. The FBI after asks for help from anyone who may accept photos of the family taken that solar day in the park.
Chad signs an awarding with Tammy onSept. 8 to increase her LifeMap insurance to the maximum amount allowed on the policy.
On Sept. 9, phone records place Alex on Chad'south property in the general area where investigators would eventually find Tylee's remains. That same day, Chad allegedly texts Tammy saying he shot a raccoon and cached information technology in their pet cemetery.
Lori enrolls JJ at Kennedy Elementary School in Rexburg on Sept. iii, principal Josh Wilson says. Less than 3 weeks subsequently, JJ attends class for the concluding time and his mother unenrolls him, saying he would be homeschooled. Tylee was never enrolled in any school in Idaho fifty-fifty though Lori claimed her daughter was attending BYU-Idaho.

RELATED | Chief offers explanation about why Joshua "JJ" Vallow wasn't reported missing in September

On October. 1, Lori rents a ten×x storage unit from Self Storage Plus in Rexburg. Surveillance video at the facility, exclusively obtained by EastIdahoNews.com, shows Lori and a man visiting the unit nine times in October and once in November. Often the man, who appears to be Alex, comes alone. Another visit shows Alex and a man who appears to be Chad. During ane visit, Chad and Lori appear to visit the storage facility together.
On October. 2, Brandon returns from the gym to his Arizona home when he says he was shot at with the bullet missing his caput by inches. Arizona Fundamental reports the shooter was driving a Jeep registered to so-dead Charles Vallow. That same solar day, Lori purchases a wedding ceremony ring on Amazon, later seen on her finger at her beach nuptials with Chad.
On Oct. 9, Tammy calls 911 and says a masked homo shot at her in her driveway with a paintball gun. She posts near the experience on Facebook, proverb she has no idea who the person was or why they would shoot at her. Courtroom documents afterwards bespeak Alex attempted to shoot and kill Tammy that day.

RELATED | Tammy Daybell reported a masked human being shot at her with a paintball gun 10 days before her 'suspicious' death

RELATED | Sheriff details what happened when deputies responded to Tammy Daybell'southward death every bit Lori Daybell's son makes a passionate plea

Ten days later, Republic of chad calls 911 and says Tammy died in her sleep at their Salem home. Detectives visit the domicile and investigators originally rule the expiry as natural. The coroner declines to perform an autopsy. Tammy is cached at the Evergreen Cemetary in Springville on Oct. 22.. The family holds a memorial service in Rexburg the post-obit day.
Two weeks after Tammy's decease, Chad and Lori are married in Hawaii on Nov. v. They then return to Rexburg. Over the coming weeks, law say Chad told witnesses that Lori had no pocket-sized children. Police also say Lori told people Tylee died years earlier.
On Nov. 26, the Rexburg Police Section conducts a welfare check for JJ at the request of his grandparents, Larry and Kay Woodcock. They had non spoken with the boy in months. Police exercise not see JJ at the townhome on Pioneer Road and Lori tells police JJ was with her friend, Melanie Gibb, in Arizona. Police shortly determine that JJ was not with Gibb.

RELATED | Mother of missing kids knows where they are or what happened to them, constabulary say

The next forenoon, Nov. 27, the Rexburg Police Department serves a search warrant. When officers go far, they detect Chad and Lori are gone.
Courtroom documents indicate that on December. one, Republic of chad and Lori take hold of an American Airlines flight to Lihue, Hawaii. The children are not with their parents.
On Dec. 6, Melanie Gibb contacts the Rexburg Police Department to say that Chad and Lori chosen her on Nov. 26 and asked her to lie about the location of JJ.
As deputies investigate, the Fremont County Sheriff's Part determines Tammy Daybell's death is "suspicious." Tammy'southward body is exhumed on Dec. 11 and an autopsy is performed in Utah. The results of the autopsy are not released.
On December. 12, Alex dies under mysterious circumstances in Gilbert, Arizona. His dissection later reveals he died of a blood jell.
On Dec. xx, the Rexburg Police Department announces JJ and Tylee are missing. Police say their disappearance is possibly linked to the suspicious death of Tammy. The post-obit day, law telephone call Chad and Lori "persons of interest."

RELATED | Police release photos of mother, stepdad who are at present 'persons of interest' in connexion to children's disappearance

On Dec. 23, the chaser representing the Daybells, Sean Bartholick, releases a argument calling the parents loving and devoted. He says the allegations will be addressed once they movement beyond "rumor and speculation."

RELATED | Parents of missing Rexburg children effect a statement, attorney says they are 'loving' and 'devoted'

RELATED | Despite hundreds of tips, investigators say they're no closer to finding missing Rexburg kids

On Dec. 30, the Rexburg Police Section issues a news release saying they take information indicating Lori knows either the location of the children or what has happened to them. They call the parents' lack of cooperation "amazing" every bit the couple refuses to cooperate.
2020
Local investigators and the FBI serve a search warrant on Chad's dwelling in Salem on Jan. iii. Fremont County Sheriff Len Humphries says investigators recovered 43 items, including computers, cell phones, journals, documents and medications. These are sent to an FBI lab for further analysis.

RELATED | Police conclude search at Daybell home

RELATED | Sheriff's office collects 43 items during raid at Daybell domicile

Larry and Kay Woodcock travel to Rexburg from their home in Lake Charles, Louisiana. On Jan. 7, they announce a $20,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of the kids.

RELATED | 'All I want is just to see those children.' Grandparents denote $20K reward for JJ and Tylee

Chad Daybell'south blood brother, Matt Daybell, pleads for him to cooperate with the investigation on Jan. ten. Matt says his immediate family had little association with Chad due to concerns about his religious claims and books.

RELATED | Chad Daybell's brother problems argument 'pleading' for him to cooperate with investigation

On Jan. 25, the Kauai Police Department serves Lori with a notice stating she must produce JJ and Tylee to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare or the Rexburg Constabulary Department within five days.
EastIdahoNews.com reporter Nate Eaton flies to Kauai and on January. 26, confronts Chad and Lori afterward police stop them at the Kauai Beach Resort. Police enforcement seizes the couple's rental car and search their rental townhome in Princeville, Hawaii. The parents pass up to say where the children are.

On Jan. 30, Lori misses the 5 p.grand. deadline to produce JJ and Tylee. Kay holds a news briefing expressing her disappointment.
On Feb. 3, EastIdahoNews.com visits the storage unit where Lori abandoned several of the kids' items. Bikes, a scooter, winter clothing, a photo album with pictures of JJ and Tylee, sports equipment, a backpack with JJ's initials and a jersey with Colby Ryan's proper noun on it are left in the unit. There are also blankets showing photos of the children – ane focused on JJ with the other showing photos of Tylee.

On Feb. 12, Kay tells EastIdahoNews.com that in Feb 2019, Charles removed Lori from a $1 million life insurance policy. Kay was named the sole beneficiary.
On February. 20, police in Kauai arrest Lori on a $5 million warrant out of Madison County. She is charged with two felony counts of desertion and nonsupport of dependent children. She is too charged with arrests and seizures – resisting or obstructing officers, criminal solicitation to commit a crime, and antipathy of court – willful defiance of courtroom process or order.
On Feb. 26, Lori waives her extradition to Idaho after six days behind confined in Hawaii. The waiver comes after multiple attempts to reduce bond fail.
Idaho authorities extradite Lori from Hawaii to Rexburg on March 5. They land in an aeroplane at the Rexburg airport and Nate Eaton attempts to speak with her earlier deputies drive her to the Madison Canton Jail. She refuses to speak.
Lori makes her initial court appearance in Rexburgon March 6. Hundreds wait in line hoping to catch a glimpse of the hearing where Magistrate Judge Faren Eddins reduces her bail to $1 1000000. She remains in jail unable to post bond.
On Apr 9, EastIdahoNews.com obtains a letter from the Idaho Attorney General stating Chad and Lori are under investigation for conspiracy, attempted murder and/or murder past the Idaho Attorney Full general'south Office.
On May 1, Lori walks into a Madison County court to ask for a reduction in bail over again. Her attorney Mark Means argues the jail recorded a conversation between the two thus violating her constitutional rights. Judge Michelle Mallard denies the request, keeping bail at $ane million.
The Maricopa County Medical Examiner releases Alex's autopsy on May 8. It says he died of natural causes – specifically claret clots in the lungs.
Melanie Gibb breaks her silence to EastIdahoNews.com and reveals explosive new details about their human relationship and religious beliefs.
Around seven a.m. on June 9, the Rexburg Police Section, FBI and Fremont Canton Sheriff's Role serve a search warrant at Chad's dwelling. Within hours, investigators uncover human remains and bring in a backhoe to dig deeper in the yard. Days later, officials confirm the remains are those of JJ and Tylee.
Around 11:xxx a.m. on June 9, Republic of chad is taken into custody about a mile from his domicile, but moments after law enforcement find the remains. He'southward booked into the Fremont Canton Jail on two felony charges of concealment, distribution or alteration of evidence.
Chad makes his first court appearance on June 10 via video from the jail. Eddins sets bail at $ane 1000000.
Memorials are set upwards along the debate of the property where the children were found. Several candlelight vigils are held in their accolade.
On June 29, prosecutors file charges confronting Lori including two felony counts of conspiracy to commit destruction, alteration or concealment of evidence.
On July 2, prosecutors dismiss two felony counts of desertion and nonsupport of children against Lori. On July 15, she pleads not guilty to misdemeanor resisting or obstructing officers, criminal solicitation to commit a crime and contempt of courtroom.
On Aug. 3 and four, Chad's preliminary hearing is held in Fremont County. Friends, investigators and witnesses testify and Eddins concludes the prosecution has enough probable cause to advance the case to the Commune Court.
Lori waives her preliminary hearing scheduled on Aug. ten and 11 in Fremont County. The case automatically advances to District Court.
Chad appears for his District Court arraignment on Aug. 21 before District Judge Steven Boyce. He pleads non guilty to the felony charges.
On Aug. 27, Chad's attorney John Prior asks Boyce to dismiss the unabridged case against his client.
Madison County Prosecuting Chaser Rob Wood files a motion on Sept. ane asking to combine the cases for Republic of chad and Lori. He says having the cases together will be more than efficient since he plans to present the same prove and witnesses.
On Sept. 10, Lori is arraigned in District Court where she pleads not guilty to the two felony counts of conspiracy to commit destruction, amending or darkening of evidence.
On October. 19, the anniversary of Tammy Daybell's death, her parents and siblings announce the creation of the Tammy Douglas Daybell Foundation "to honor her legacy of service and love of literacy."
On Nov. five, EastIdahoNews.com obtains audio of Lori saying she "was going to murder" her third husband, Joe Ryan, while speaking at a meeting in Oct. 2018. She says she became closer to God and ultimately did not need to act against Joe.

2021

In January, an audio recording between prosecutor Forest and Summer Shiflet, Lori's sister, is released. Woods tells Summer he plans to file conspiracy to commit murder charges against the Daybells.

Mind | New information revealed in recording betwixt Lori Daybell'due south sister and Prosecutor Rob Wood

On Feb. 4, the Fremont County Sheriff's Function announces Tammy'southward dissection is complete merely details are not released. That same solar day, newly elected Fremont County Prosecuting Chaser Lindsey Blake requests Tammy's expiry investigation instance be sent back to her office from the Idaho Chaser General. The AG transfers the case.
On March 22, Wood adds veteran homicide attorney Rachel Smith, of Missouri, to his squad to assist in the case.
On May 24, a chiliad jury indicts Chad and Lori on several new felony charges, including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors denote the charges during a May 25 news briefing, releasing the indictment containing additional data surrounding the homicides of Tylee, JJ and Tammy.
On June 8, Lori is committed to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. A psychologist deems her not fit for trial and a judge agrees she tin can not aid in her defense.
Chad pleads not guilty to all counts in the indictment on June ix. His children sit down behind him in the courtroom.
On June 24, a yard jury in Arizona indicts Lori for conspiracy to commit murder in the death of her 4th husband, Charles Vallow. Prosecutors refuse to printing charges against Chad saying there is "no reasonable likelihood of confidence."
On July 29, prosecutors drop the destruction, alteration or darkening of evidence charges against Chad and Lori.
Prosecutors announce on Aug. 5 they will seek the death penalty against Chad saying "the nature and magnitude of these crimes warrant the possibility of the highest possible punishment."
Past Aug. 30, Lori is still incompetent to stand trial and more competency hearings are scheduled. In September, prosecutors inquire if Lori should be forced to take medications as the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare suggest she should.
In an interview with "48 Hours," Chad's children say their father was framed and their mother died of asphyxiation.
Following a change of venue hearing on Oct. 5, Boyce rules the Daybell trial will be moved from Fremont County to Ada County. The Idaho Supreme Courtroom approves the move to Idaho's well-nigh populous canton.
On October. 7, Chandler, Arizona police force release their entire case file for the investigation into Charles' homicide. Included are gigabytes of never before seen video interviews, audio recordings, text messages and constabulary reports.
On Dec. 28, , Boyce orders that Marker Means, Lori'south chaser, tin can no longer represent her. Boyce cites the disharmonize of involvement in Means representing both Republic of chad and Lori too as concerns over his legal competency and effectiveness.

2022

In March, Arizona prosecutors denote they will non file conspiracy to commit murder charges against Republic of chad in the attempted shooting example of Brandon Boudreaux. They cite "no reasonable likelihood of conviction" as the reason. Prosecutors do not announce if Lori will face charges
Boyce denies a asking from John Prior on March 21 to sever Republic of chad's example from Lori'due south.
On April xi, Boyce bug a written order proverb Lori is now competent for trial and fit to proceed. She is ordered to be released from a Department of Health and Welfare facility and an arraignment date is set.
Lori is arraigned on April 19. She remains silent and her chaser Jim Archibald asks Boyce to enter a not guilty plea on her behalf.
On Apr 28, Boyce denies a request from John Prior to have the indictment against Republic of chad dropped. The estimate also denies a asking from prosecutors to take a jury transported from Ada County to Fremont Canton for the trial and re-affirms proceedings volition happen in Ada County.
On May 2, prosecutors announce they will pursue the death sentence against Lori and enquire Boyce to go along her trial together with Republic of chad's. Boyce issues a response on May 26 reaffirming the trials volition be held together in January 2023.