LORI VALLOW & CHAD DAYBELL

Lori Vallow indicted on murder charge in death of previous husband Charles

Jun 29, 2021, 4:23 PM | Updated: Jul 13, 2023, 4:08 pm

PHOENIX — Lori Vallow Daybell has been indicted on another murder charge, this time in connection with the death of her previous husband, Charles Vallow.

A Maricopa County Grand Jury in Arizona indicted Vallow Thursday with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

The indictment revealed that on July 11, 2019, Lori made some kind of agreement with her brother, Alex Cox, that would result in Charles’ death, according to a news release from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

That same day, police in Chandler, Arizona, received a 911 call from Cox. He claimed he shot and killed his brother-in-law following a confrontation with his sister Lori Vallow and told officers on scene that he (Charles Vallow), “Came at me with a bat.”

“The State further alleges that the offense charged in this count is a dangerous felony because the offense involved the discharge, use, or threatening exhibition of a gun, a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument and or the intentional or knowing infliction of serious physical injury upon Charles Vallow,” read court documents.


MORE: Read the full probable cause statement from Chandler, Arizona, police


“The indictment against Lori alleges much more than a failure to act or a failure to stop Alex from killing her husband — it requires a conspiracy, it requires some knowledge,” said criminal defense attorney Greg Skordas.

Skordas, a former Salt Lake County Prosecutor is not connected with this case but has been following it closely. Skordas says Cox’s death in December 2019 may have delayed Charles’ murder investigation as everyone who witnessed his shooting is now dead, including the children, except Lori.

“A lot of the witnesses are no longer available — they’re dead. It’s been an investigation that has gone on for years, and the state of Arizona has had a difficult time putting together enough of the crime to get an indictment, but they’ve finally done that,” Skordas said.

Here are the charges Lori Vallow is currently facing:

  • Charles Vallow — conspiracy to commit first-degree murder (Arizona)
  • JJ Vallow — first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit destruction, conceal or alter evidence (Idaho)
  • Tylee Ryan — first-degree murder, conpiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit destruction, conceal or alter evidence (Idaho)
  • Tylee and JJ — solicitation, resisting and/or obstructing an officer, contempt (Madison County, Idaho)
  • Tammy Daybell — conspiracy to commit murder
  • Grand theft (Idaho)

Chad Daybell was indicted on the same charges, in addition to one count of first-degree murder related to the death of Tammy Daybell, his previous wife. Skordas said a case against him in Charles’ death is likely pending.

“I’m assuming the state of Arizona is always going to be investigating Chad. That investigation will continue and in fact, Lori may very well decide she doesn’t want to spend the rest of her life in prison and may testify against Chad, but right now it doesn’t appear the state of Arizona has a strong enough case … to get an indictment against Chad,” Skordas said.

Lori is facing 25 years to life in prison for Charles’ murder. The death penalty is on the table for the murder charges in the Idaho cases.

The Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office said they will give priority to the cases in Idaho as they were filed first, no hearings are currently scheduled in Arizona. When those are completed Arizona will begin the extradition process.

Spokesperson Jennifer Liewer told KSL, “Lori Vallow‘s case will need to be completed in Idaho before anything occurs in AZ. From there an extradition process will take place. The cases in Idaho were filed first, so they have priority over the Arizona indictment.”

In response to questions about a possible impact the stay in Vallow’s Idaho cases, following a psychological assessment, Liewer responded those evaluations have no bearing in Arizona. “Any mental health assessments in Idaho do not impact our case. Once the court matter in Idaho has been completed, the Maricopa County Superior Court process will take place.”

The next Idaho hearing for Vallow was scheduled for July 1, in the Tammy, JJ, and Tylee’s murder cases.

KSL 5 TV Live

Lori Vallow & Chad Daybell

Chad Daybell and his attorney, John Prior, appear in a hearing on Oct. 29, 2020...

Josh Ellis

Idaho court denies motion from Chad Daybell’s lawyer to leave case

An Idaho judge on Thursday ruled that John Prior, Chad Daybell's lawyer, will continue to represent Daybell in the case.

2 months ago

Chad Daybell and his attorney, John Prior, appear in a hearing on Oct. 29, 2020...

Michael Houck

Chad Daybell’s attorney files to withdraw from case due to lack of funds

The attorney representing Chad Daybell has filed to withdraw from the upcoming murder case Friday.

3 months ago

A judge has ordered the remains of Joshua "JJ" Vallow to be turned over to his family members. The ...

Larry D. Curtis

Murder victim Tylee Ryan’s remains to be returned to family

The remains of teen murder victim Tylee Ryan will be released to her family, an Idaho judge ruled Thursday.

3 months ago

FILE — Chad Daybell watches during Lori Vallow's extradition hearing in Hawaii on Feb. 21, 2020....

Larry D. Curtis

Idaho court denies Chad Daybell’s motions to strike death penalty

An Idaho court has denied Chad Guy Daybell's motions to strike the death penalty in his murder trial scheduled for 2024.

3 months ago

Lori Vallow Daybell sits during her sentencing hearing at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anth...

Associated Press

Lori Vallow pleads not guilty to Arizona murder conspiracy charges

Lori Vallow Daybell pleaded not guilty to Arizona charges of conspiring to kill her estranged husband and her niece’s ex-husband.

4 months ago

Mug shot from prison...

Eliza Pace and Garna Mejia

Lori Vallow Daybell moved from Idaho prison to Arizona prison to face other charges

Convicted killer, Lori Vallow Daybell is no longer in the Pocatello Women's Correctional Center and now sits in an Arizona Jail.

4 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Lori Vallow indicted on murder charge in death of previous husband Charles