Lori Vallow Daybell’s surviving son cried while on the stand Tuesday upon being shown pictures of his late sister.
According to People, Colby Ryan said, “That’s my sister Tylee [Ryan],” as prosecutors presented pictures of the 16-year-old and J.J. Vallow, 7. Colby went on to say that he had a good relationship with J.J., who was also murdered.
Colby also testified that Vallow Daybell claimed her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, suffered a fatal heart attack in Arizona in 2019. However, authorities said Vallow Daybell’s brother, Alex Cox, fatally shot Charles.
Colby recalled how he visited his mother after Charles’ death and Tylee answered the door and hugged him. Colby reportedly saw Cox watching television with a bandage on his hand. Colby asked Cox what happened — and he said that he was struck in the head with a bat and shot Charles, according to People.
Cox died, reportedly of natural causes, months later in December 2019. Vallow Daybell is charged in Arizona in connection with Charles’ shooting death.
Currently, Vallow Daybell is on trial for killing Tylee, J.J., and Tammy Daybell, who is Chad Daybell’s first wife. Chad is Vallow Daybell’s fifth husband; he is also charged with killing the two children and Tammy.
J.J. and Tylee were missing for nine months before they were found buried on Daybell’s property in June 2020. Prosecutors said Tylee was dismembered and burned; her remains were located near a burn pit while J.J. was in a plastic bag wrapped in plastic. His face, arms, wrists, and feet were wrapped with duct tape.
Vallow Daybell said she was with Melanie Gibb, David Warwick, or her husband when her son and daughter 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, Idaho. Vallow Daybell stated she was with two other people at the time.
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 underwent psychiatric treatment twice 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.
The trial continues.
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[Featured image: J.J. Valllow and Tylee Ryan/Chandler Police Department]
