A mother involved in a doomsday cult has been found guilty of murdering her two children and her husband's former wife in a case that has shocked the United States. Lori Vallow, 49, was convicted on all six counts of murder, conspiracy and grand theft following a trial in Idaho.
The bodies of Joshua "JJ" Vallow, seven, and Tylee Ryan, 16, were discovered buried at the home of Vallow's husband, Chad Daybell, in June 2020. Daybell's former wife, Tammy, was also found to have been killed. Prosecutors argued that Vallow and Daybell believed in extreme religious views, classifying people as either "light" or "dark" spirits and referring to those possessed by evil as "zombies", who they claimed needed to be killed to free their souls.
Vallow sat impassively as the jury returned its verdict. Her defence lawyers called no witnesses, and she did not testify. Prosecutors presented 60 witnesses and graphic evidence of how the children died. Vallow's attorney had argued she was a loving mother who fell under the influence of a "weird" religious leader.
Chad Daybell, an author of apocalyptic novels, is awaiting trial on similar charges. The couple met through their involvement in a movement promoting end-of-the-world preparation. Prosecutors said Vallow used "money, power and sex" to get what she wanted, including removing obstacles to be with Daybell.
