Lori Vallow – update: ‘Cult mom’ smirks in mugshot as she starts life sentence in Idaho’s Pocatello prison
Latest updates as Vallow is sentenced at Fremont County Courthouse, Idaho
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“Cult mom” Lori Vallow smirked in a new mug shot taken the day after she was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murders of her two children and love rival.
The photo was taken on Tuesday as Vallow, 50, was remanded to the custody of the Idaho Department of Corrections.
The so-called “cult mom” was convicted in May of killing her seven-year-old son Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 16-year-old daughter Tylee Ryan, who vanished in September 2019. She was also found guilty of conspiring to kill her husband Chad Daybell’s first wife, Tammy, who died in October 2019.
Before the sentence was handed down on Monday, the court heard victim impact statements from several family members devastated by the harrowing saga that has gripped the nation for nearly four years.
To the surprise of many, Vallow spoke herself and appeared to show no remorse for her crimes, claiming the children and Tammy were “busy” and “happy” in heaven. She appeared emotionless as the sentence was handed down.
The families of the victims shared outrage at her bizarre statement as they praised the harsh sentence.
Vallow breaks silence in bizarre sentencing statement
A sobbing Lori Vallow shockingly claimed that “no one was murdered” as she broke her silence for the first time over the horrific murders of her two children and her lover’s wife in a chilling statement at sentencing.
In the bizarre remarks, the so-called “cult mom” read out a Bible quote, spoke of visiting “heaven” and continued to channel her doomsday cult beliefs while claiming “I have had many communications with Jesus Christ”.
While her victims’ loved ones were forced to listen in horror, she claimed that she had communicated with her murdered children Tylee Ryan and Joshua “JJ” Vallow as well as “her friend” Tammy Daybell from beyond the grave – and that they are “very happy”.
Rachel Sharp reports.
Lori Vallow claims ‘no one was murdered’ in bizarre sentencing statement
Vallow claimed that ‘no one was murdered in this case’ – including her murdered children Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow and ‘her friend’ Tammy Daybell
Lori Vallow: Mom-of-three, beauty queen – and convicted killer
Mother of three, former game show contestant, a Mrs Texas Beauty Pageant entrant, a cult follower... and now a convicted killer...
Who is Lori Vallow? Mom-of-three, beauty queen – and convicted killer
Lori Vallow is a mother of three, a former game show contestant, a Mrs Texas Beauty Pageant contestant and a cult follower. An Idaho court determined she is also a killer. Rachel Sharp reports
All the key players in the Lori Vallow case
Beyond the Idaho charges, Vallow is also awaiting trial in Arizona for the murder of her fourth husband Charles Vallow – who was shot dead by Cox in July 2019.
Here’s a reminder of all the key players in the sprawling case:
Chad Daybell, Alex Cox and Charles Vallow: Key players in the Lori Vallow case
The trial of cult mom Lori Vallow ended with a resounding conviction. Who were the key players?
Was Lori Vallow really driven to kill her children by a doomsday cult?
Rachel Sharp talks to a survivor of one of America’s most notorious cults.
Did a doomsday cult really drive Lori Vallow to murder her children?
Prosecutors pinned Vallow’s motive in the murders of her children on three pillars of a ‘cult playbook’: Power, money and sex. But a survivor of one of America’s most notorious cults tells Rachel Sharp we may never know if a cult truly drove Vallow to kill
Vallow has been sentenced to life behind bars — what happens next?
While her sentencing may mark the culmination of a chilling case that spans bizarre cult beliefs, missing children, murder and mystery deaths, the saga is still far from over.
Here’s what’s coming next in the shocking case:
Lori Vallow has been sentenced to life in prison. What happens next?
While Vallow’s sentencing brought some justice in a chilling case that spans bizarre cult beliefs, missing children, murder and mystery deaths, the saga is still far from over
Was Lori Vallow really driven to kill her children by a doomsday cult?
Rachel Sharp talks to a survivor of one of America’s most notorious cults.
Did a doomsday cult really drive Lori Vallow to murder her children?
Prosecutors pinned Vallow’s motive in the murders of her children on three pillars of a ‘cult playbook’: Power, money and sex. But a survivor of one of America’s most notorious cults tells Rachel Sharp we may never know if a cult truly drove Vallow to kill
Listen: Family give emotional impact statements as Lori Vallow sentenced
Powerful victim statements were read in court ahead of the sentencing of Lori Vallow on Monday 31 July. The “cult mom” was convicted in May of killing her seven-year-old son Joshua “JJ” Vallow and 16-year-old daughter Tylee Ryan, who vanished without a trace in September 2019. She was also found guilty of conspiring to kill her husband Chad Daybell’s first wife, Tammy Daybell, who died in October 2019. Impact statements were read by Samantha Gwilliam and Vicki Hoban, the sister and aunt of Ms Daybell, as well as Kay Woodcock, Joshua’s grandmother.
‘Monster’ Lori Vallow confronted by victims’ sobbing families at sentencing
“Cult mom” Lori Vallow was confronted by her victims’ sobbing family members at her sentencing hearing where they branded her a “monster” and described her 1,841-day “cruel campaign of terror”.
Rachel Sharp reports.
‘Monster’ Lori Vallow is confronted by victims’ sobbing families at sentencing
‘Cult mom’ refused to look her victims’ devastated family members in the eyes as they gave heartwrenching victim impact statements to the court
Moment Lori Vallow sentenced to life with no parole for murders of her children
Footage from inside a court captures the moment Lori Vallow was sentenced to life imprisonment with no possibility of parole for the murders of her two children on Monday, 31 July. In May 2023, the “cult mom,” 50, was convicted of killing her seven-year-old son Joshua “JJ” Vallow and 16-year-old daughter Tylee Ryan, who vanished in September 2019. Vallow was also found guilty of conspiring to kill her husband Chad Daybell’s first wife, Tammy, who died in October 2019. Judge Steven Boyce handed down the harshest possible sentence available after the death penalty was taken off the table ahead of trial.
Full story: Lori Vallow sentenced to life in prison for murders
“Cult mom” Lori Vallow will now spend the rest of her life behind bars for the murders of her two youngest children and conspiracy to kill her new husband Chad Daybell’s first wife, bringing some sort of conclusion to the disturbing case that shook America to its core.
‘Cult mom’ Lori Vallow sentenced to life in prison for children’s murders
The 50-year-old convicted killer was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on Monday after her victims’ devastated family members gave heartwrenching statements to the court
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