A jury in Idaho, United States has found Lori Vallow Daybell guilty of murdering her two children and conspiring to kill her husband’s ex-wife.
The verdict marked the end of a three-year investigation and seven-week trial which included bizarre claims of zombie children and apocalyptic prophecies.
The jury of seven men and five women reached a verdict in the high-profile case on Friday afternoon.
Jurors began deliberating on Thursday afternoon, and reached the unanimous verdict after about six total hours.
She has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of conspiring in the deaths of her kids Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua ‘JJ’ Vallow, 7, and her husband Chad Daybell’s former wife Tammy Daybell, 49.
Vallow Daybell faces up to life in prison without parole. She had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The 49-year-old beautician was also convicted of grand theft as well as first-degree murder of the two children, a charge that indicates a more direct role in the crime committed.
Vallow Daybell’s fifth husband, Chad Daybell also faces similar charges, however, his trial will take place separately and months later.
Prosecuting attorneys from Madison and Fremont counties stated that they were ‘very pleased with the jury’s verdict’.
‘We want to thank them, as well as the alternates, for their service over last six weeks during this trial,’ they stated.
‘Given the pending case against the co-defendant, we are unable to conduct any additional interviews or discuss further details of this matter. We want to assure each of you that we remain committed to pursuing justice for Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell.’
The defense team did not immediately comment on the verdict.
Tammy Daybell in October 2019 died in her sleep. Daybell Vallow married Chad Daybell just weeks after.
The kids’ bodies were discovered buried on a property in Rexburg, Idaho, that was owned by Chad Daybell, in June 2020.
Judge Steven Boyce said Vallow Daybell’s sentencing will not take place for a few months, as Idaho requires a pre-sentencing investigation to be completed before the date is set.
She will be held in custody until then.
JJ Vallow’s grandparents Larry and Kay Woodcock wept as the verdict was read. They then spoke outside the Ada County Courthouse.
Larry Woodcock thanked the jury for ‘an honest, fair and righteous verdict’.
‘It’s great,’ said Kay Woodcock. ‘We can put JJ to rest.’
Vallow Daybell’s five-week trial was widely followed, as horrifying lines emerged such as the mother allegedly calling her children zombies.
Chad Daybell also pleaded not guilty to his charges and will subject to a separate trial.
Vallow Daybell is set to be extradited from Idaho to Arizona for the sentencing.
