Doomsday Mom and Cult Prophet: What Happened to Lori and Chad?
Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell, once known for their doomsday prophecies and chilling crimes, are now living vastly different lives behind bars. Five years after the shocking murders of Lori's children and Chad's first wife, the so-called "Doomsday Couple" remains a subject of national intrigue. But where are they now, and what's next for them?
What are the Doomsday Murders?
The Doomsday Murders refer to the tragic deaths of Tylee Ryan, Joshua "J.J." Vallow, and Tammy Daybell — victims of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell's apocalyptic beliefs. Lori and Chad were obsessed with prophecy, and convinced they were chosen to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The couple saw certain people, including Lori's children (Tylee and J.J.) and Chad's first wife (Tammy), as obstacles to their divine mission. Tylee and J.J. vanished in September 2019, and Tammy died under suspicious circumstances a month later. Lori and Chad then fled to Hawaii, evading authorities. The children's remains were later found buried on Chad's Idaho property, cementing the case against them.
Lori Vallow: Life in Prison and More Charges Ahead
Lori was convicted of the brutal murders of her two children and conspiring to kill her fifth husband's first wife; she is currently serving multiple life sentences without parole. Initially incarcerated at Idaho's Pocatello Women's Correctional Center, Lori remains there while awaiting trial in Arizona, where she faces additional legal battles.
Arizona prosecutors have also charged Lori with conspiracy to commit murder in connection to the 2019 shooting death of her former husband, Charles Vallow. Despite strong evidence, she maintains her innocence. According to PEOPLE, Lori said in a "Dateline" interview, "I have seen things in the future that Jesus showed me when I was in heaven. And we were not in jail and we were not in prison and they were still in the future, from now."
Chad Daybell: Awaiting Execution
Chad, the self-proclaimed prophet who convinced Lori of their supposed divine mission, now sits on death row in Idaho. Convicted in May 2024 of the murders of Tylee, J.J., and Tammy, as well as fraud charges, he was sentenced to death following a lengthy trial that exposed his and Lori's disturbing apocalyptic beliefs.
Despite his conviction, Chad has not given up. He has filed an appeal, still maintaining that he is innocent of all charges. However, with a death sentence looming and no signs of public sympathy, his future looks grim.
Their Unbroken Marriage
While many might expect a convicted killer on death row and his equally infamous wife to part ways, they remain legally married. There have been no reports of divorce proceedings, and Lori continues to speak of their eventual reunion. Their unwavering connection adds yet another layer of unsettling devotion to a story that already defies logic.
The Fallout: Public Reaction and Legal Battles
The family of Tammy Daybell has spoken out in favor of Chad's death sentence, expressing hope that it will bring some measure of justice.
As Lori awaits her Arizona trial, public fascination with the case remains high. The sheer horror of the murders, coupled with the bizarre doomsday beliefs that fueled them, ensures that Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell will not fade from the headlines anytime soon. Even from their prison cells, their story continues to unfold — one chilling chapter at a time.
References: Where Are Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell Now? | Lori Vallow Speaks Out from Prison: Why She Thinks She and Chad Daybell 'Will Be Exonerated' | 'Doomsday' Mom Lori Vallow Insists She and Chad Daybell Will Be 'Exonerated'
