Opening statements began on Monday in the trial of Lori Daybell Vallow, who is accused of killing her two children in 2019 and conspiring to kill her husband’s first wife the same year.
According to People, prosecutor Lindsey Blake said that after Joshua Vallow’s father died he became entitled to social security benefits but he became harder to care for. Blake suggested that Vallow Daybell also wanted Tylee’s money and that is what pushed her to kill.
“The defendant didn’t want to have to take care of J.J. anymore, he had money — J.J.’s gone,” Blake said, per East Idaho News. “Tylee had money, Lori wanted it, Tylee’s gone.”
Joshua and Tylee’s remains were reportedly found on Chad Daybell’s property in June 2020, nine months after they vanished. Joshua’s remains were reportedly bound in duct tape and plastic while Tylee’s body was dismembered and burned.
Vallow Daybell said she was with Melanie Gibb, David Warwick or Chad Daybell when her son and daughter, Joshua Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 16, died in her brother’s apartment in Rexburg, Idaho. Vallow Daybell allegedly said she was at her residence, also in Rexburg.
Vallow Daybell claimed she was in Hawaii when Tammy Daybell was killed at her husband’s home in Salem, Indiana. Vallow Daybell stated she was with two other people at the time.
Chad Daybell is facing the same charges but will stand trial separately.
Vallow Daybell — who is believed to have been involved in a so-called doomsday cult — allegedly told a friend that her children had become zombies and the only way to exorcise their bodies of evil spirits was to kill them.
Vallow Daybell is also charged in Arizona with conspiracy to commit murder for the death of her first husband, Charles Vallow, who was fatally shot by Vallow Daybell’s brother in 2019.
Vallow Daybell underwent psychiatric treatment before she was deemed fit to stand trial. She is not facing the death penalty. Cameras are not allowed in the courtroom per a court order.
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[Featured image: Lori Vallow Daybell/Tony Blakeslee/East Idaho News via AP, Pool, File]
