Lori Vallow trial: Gilbert detective testifies
Week five of “doomsday cult mom” Lori Vallow’s trial has concluded in Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, where the mother-of-three is accused of killing her two youngest children and her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife.
The 49-year-old is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, and grand theft over the deaths of her daughter Tylee Ryan, 16, son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and Mr Daybell’s wife Tammy, 49.
Tylee and JJ were last seen alive in September 2019. In June 2020, their remains were found buried on the Daybell property. Tammy died one month after their disappearance in October 2019.
Friday’s testimony included a detailed look at text messages between Ms Vallow and Mr Daybell that spanned their affair, referred to their spouses and children as “obstacles”, and grew increasingly romantic following her husband’s death as she ignored his son’s pleas for more information.
On Thursday, jurors had heard how Ms Vallow and Mr Daybell made an eerie prediction about her brother Alex Cox’s sudden death. Ian Pawlowski, Ms Vallow’s niece’s husband, testified that his wife Melani “had been told by Chad and Lori that there was going to be a spiritual attack that day”.
Key points
Show latest update
Lori Vallow trial hears horror of her children’s murders
The remains of his sister Tylee were found burned beyond recognition in another grave nearby.
Oliver O’Connell5 May 2023 22:00
Detective reveals alarming items found in Lori Vallow’s home
One of the first detectives investigating the disappearance of “cult mom” Lori Vallow’s son and daughter has revealed the alarming items discovered in her home months before the children were found murdered.
Oliver O’Connell5 May 2023 21:00
Read the full romance story Chad Daybell wrote to Lori Vallow
Oliver O’Connell5 May 2023 19:30
Court adjourns
Court adjourns for the day.
The trial will resume on Monday morning at 8.30am MT.
Oliver O’Connell5 May 2023 19:06
Agent Hart notes there appeared to be no sorrow or remorse about the killing of her husband by her brother.
That seems evident from her indifferent texts with his sons.
The prosecution says this is a good stopping point since the court is recessing early today.
Oliver O’Connell5 May 2023 19:02
The next slide shows messages sent the evening of 14 July 2019.
Chad: “Hanging in there, but really missing you too! Please find out the name of Mel’s campout in Utah. I have no intention of going, but I feel it is our avenue to get together, whether she is still here or not.”
Lori: “Zion’s family camp. Mel speaks Wednesday night and Dave speaks Thursday night. Shelly M is their main speaker…eye roll.”
Chad: “Well, that should work for me to get away though. I spoke at it two years ago which is when I first met Mel. What time do you fly out tomorrow?”
Chad: “My trip to speak at the camp July 24-26 has been approved and is now on the calendar.”
More texts from the same day:
Chad: “I need so badly to just gently kiss you…for hours.”
Chad: “It would likely lead to other activities.”
Lori: “Likely or Luckily?”
Chad: “It would likely lead to nakedness.”
It is during this text conversation that Charles Vallow’s sons are demanding information from Lori about how their father died and any other details. She was not responding as she was busy texting Chad and Melani.
The jury appears to be finding this testimony very powerful.
Oliver O’Connell5 May 2023 18:58
Agent Hart said investigators repeatedly heard that Chad told multiple people his wife Tammy was going to die. These texts in July were three months before her death on 19 October.
Lori responded to the shower text: “Morning sunshine. sure. Call me if you get a chance.”
Chad and Lori both had multiple names for each other. Chad was called James and Raphael. Lori was called Lily and Elaina.
Agent Hart explains Chad was not physically with Lori when he sent the shower text. She was in Arizona, he was in Idaho
He explains that they often implied they had been with each other when it was not physically possible.
Later on 14 July 2019 Chad texted: “I love you so much! You are me greatest desire and my best friend. Now on with the story.”
Oliver O’Connell5 May 2023 18:54
Another text exchange on 13 July has Chad telling Lori that BYU-Idaho’s graduation is on 23 July and he will have a lot of family in town and staying at the house.
On 14 July he texts Lori:
“Good morning my most beautiful Lili. Thanks for joining me in the shower this morning. Wow. Getting ready to leave for my meetings. Does noon your time look like a time we could talk? I love you so immensely that the whole universe knows it. And very soon the people on this little blue globe will know it too.”
Oliver O’Connell5 May 2023 18:43
Another text exchange with Chad is shown in which they discuss Aly Bloomer, a friend on Brandon Boudreaux who came to the Boudreaux house to talk with Melani:
Chad: “I will check with All Bloomer and husband.”
Chad: “Aly Bloomer is 4.1 dark. Her cop husband is 3 dark. I suppose Brandon doesn’t know yet about the discovered Charles texts?”
Oliver O’Connell5 May 2023 18:38