Madison Meeks – Opinion Editor

mvm7037@psu.edu

BOISE, IDAHO – Idaho mom Lori Vallow Daybell is currently on trial for the 2019 deaths of her two children. Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, went missing in September of 2019 and were found dead in June 2020. 

Vallow Daybell is also on trial for a role in the death of her husband’s late wife Tammy Daybell. Vallow Daybell has pleaded not guilty for all charges. 

According to CBS News, the trial is expected to last up to 10 weeks and it began on April 10 of this year. The trial has already had some rather emotional moments during the first few weeks. Multiple witnesses have shedded tears on the stand and JJ’s grandfather has openly cried in the courtroom while listening to witnesses’ testimonies. The trial had been delayed because Vallow Daybell had been committed and needed to prove mental competence to move forward with the trial. She was ruled to be mentally competent and able to stand trial by a judge last year. 

Throughout the years of investigation, it was found that Lori Vallow had met Chad Daybell during 2018, and they had built a connection due to his writing about his doomsday religious beliefs. In February of 2019, her then husband Charles Vallow filed for divorce, and then in July of the same year Charles Vallow was shot by Vallow Daybell’s brother Alex. Tylee was last seen in September of 2019 when the family went on a trip to Yellowstone. JJ was last seen September 23, 2019, after the family had returned from the trip. 

So far in the trial, it was revealed that Lori Vallow Daybell had looked up wedding dresses a few days before Chad Daybell’s late wife had died. It was also revealed that Tammy Daybell’s body was exhumed and found to have been asphyxiated, making murder her likely cause of death. 

It was also revealed through the trial the state the children were found in when their bodies were finally recovered. The two were found buried in Chad Daybells backyard and are being examined for more evidence in the case. 

While there is still much more to be revealed about the terrible tragedy that occurred in Idaho, more is sure to be discovered throughout the trial. Hopefully, the death of these children, and all others who may have been involved, receive justice.