In this episode, we discuss all of the persons mentioned in this case. This case can be very confusing because there are multiple victims and multiple conspirators. I still haven’t gotten to finishing up a family tree and fancy graphics. They won’t all fit on one page.
It’s just me today. Angie got busy searching for a dead body and it’s a funny story. I got busy over the weekend visiting with my brother Tom so this episode was late, I haven’t seen him since 2009 and he lives in Wyoming. With 15 siblings, it’s too hard to find time to visit and we are so spread out. He randomly showed up so I decided to be selfish and hang out with him.
Vallow Daybell Case – Who’s Who In the Vallow Daybell Case
This episode will include the following:
- Wake the Hell Up! Headless Horseman Pumpkin Coffee
- Missing Person Spotlight DeOrr Kuntz
- No crime updates today
- All of the individuals that are involved in the Vallow Daybell Case
Featured Coffee: Wake the Hell Up! Headless Horseman Pumpkin Coffee
Today’s coffee pick is Wake the Hell Up! Headless Horseman Pumpkin Coffee. I’m not a pumpkin spice fan, so I decided to try this one instead. It’s fantastic with a little bit of vanilla creamer.
Missing Person Spotlight: DeOrr Kuntz from Idaho
There are a few reasons why I picked this case. We are discussing the Vallow DAybell case, with the murders of Tylee and Bryan also happening in Idaho, the state DeOrr is from. I have a little boy and I can’t imagine him disappearing. And last but not least, our family camps several times a year close to the campground where DeOrr disappeared.
DeOrr was last seen in Lemhi County, Idaho on July 10, 2015. He was with his parents, Jessica Mitchell and Vernal “DeOrr” Kunz Sr., his great-grandfather, Robert Walton, and Walton’s friend Isaac Reinwand at Timber Creek Campground in the mountains near Leadore, Idaho.
DeOrr was at the campground with his family when he mysteriously disappeared. They were exploring the campground and they were only gone for a few minutes. But by the time they got back, DeOrr was gone. Multiple searches have taken place at the campground and both of his parents are considered persons of interest but no charges have ever been filed. You can find more detailed information at the Charley Project and East Idaho News. DeOrr has been missing for seven years.
- Missing Since 07/10/2015
- Missing From Lemhi County, Idaho
- Classification Endangered Missing
- Sex Male
- Race White
- Date of Birth 12/30/2012 (9)
- Age 2 years old
- Height and Weight 3’0, 28 pounds
- Clothing/Jewelry Description A camouflage-print jacket, blue pajama pants, green and black checkered socks, and brown cowboy boots with a lighter brown camouflage print. A photo of the boots is posted with this case summary.
- Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male. Blond hair, brown eyes. DeOrr’s nickname is Little Man. He has a birthmark on the back of his neck.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the Lemhi County Sheriff’s office 208-756-8980.
Todays’ Crime Update/ Tidbit
Genealogical DNA Used in Identifying Both the Victim and the Killer
It was released this week that both the killer and the victim were identified using genealogical DNA. This is a new development in genealogical DNA being used this way in solving cold cases and identifying Jane and John Does. Stacy Lynn CHahorski was reported missing in January of 1989. However, her body was found in December 1988 in Dade County in Georgia. Her body was unidentified for multiple decades until this year.
Law enforcement we also able to identify her killer, Henry Fredrick “Hoss” Wise, who was a truck driver and stuntman. He died in 1999 in a fiery crash while doing a stunt. Even though he could not be brought to justice, his fate wasn’t pretty. I am glad that Stacy’s family now has closure. You can find out more about how Stacy Lynn Chahorski was identified.
Kristen Smart Trial Enters Week 8
The Kristen Smart trial against Flores and Flores has just started in week 8. Kristen Smart went missing May 25, 1996 and was declared legally dead on May 25, 2002. This case was dormant for a long time until
Current Case Discussion: Vallow Daybell Case – Who’s Who
This is a very complicated case so we thought it was important to explore all of the individuals in this case. This includes the victims, the accused, possibly coconspirators, and their families. Chris Lambert started a podcast ” Your Own Backyard” which helped bring new interest to the case. Even though Kristen Smart’s body has never been found, charges were brought against Paul Flores and his father Ruben Flores.
There are some interesting facts about this case. There is a lot of interesting forensics, they are prosecuting a murder without a body and the codefendants have separate juries.
Who’s Who in the Vallow Daybell Case
With a case that is so complicated, it is important to know everyone who is involved in the case.
The Victims in the Vallow Daybell Case
Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow are accused of the murders of Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow, and Tammy Daybell in Idaho. Lori is accused of the murder of Charles Vallow in Arizona. Lori and Chad met in October of 2018 and started an affair. Some of the possible motives for murder are extreme religious beliefs and money. The individuals murdered may have also been considered hurdles preventing Chad and Lori from being together.
Based on the evidence released to the public, these murders were possible planned as early as October 2018. Chad and Lori believed that all four of the victims were passed by dark spirits which made them “Zombies”. In order to rid the people of the dark spirits, they had to die. Chad would determine if someone was passed with a light/ dark scale.
Tylee Ryan
Tylee is the daughter of Lori Vallow and Joseph “Joe” Ryan. She was born September 24th, 2022. She was last seen in Yellowstone on September 8th 2019 and her estimated date of death is either September 8th or 9th. Her remains were found on June 9, 2020 buried in Chad Daybell’s yard. Her body has been dismembered and burned.
Joshua Jaxon “JJ” Vallow
JJ Vallow is the adopted son of Lori Vallow and Charles Vallow, Lori’s fourth husband. JJ is the biological grandson of Kay Woodcock, Charles Vallow’s sister. He was last seen on September 23, 2019, and his estimated date of death is September 23 or 24. His body was found on Chad Daybell’s property, duct taped and wrapped in plastic. He was wearing the same red pajamas that he was wearing in the last known picture of him taken on September 23, 2019. JJ was diagnosed with autism. JJ’s biological parents are Mandy Lager and Todd Trahan.
Tammy Daybell
Tammy Daybell married Chad Daybell in 1990. Tammy and Chad have five children together. She was found dead apparently from natural causes at home in bed on October 19, 2019. An autopsy was not done, though it was odd that a healthy woman in her forties who was practicing for a marathon, died in her sleep. Her body was later exhumed in December of 2020 and a final autopsy was completed on February 23, 2021. No cause of death has been released to the public but on 48 Hours, Chad’s children stated they were told that the cause of death has been determined as asphyxiation. Lori and Chad married on November 5, 2019.
Charles Vallow
Charles Vallow was Lori’s fourth husband, the biological great-uncle of JJ and JJ’s adopted father. Charles and Lori married in 2006. After the second separation in 2018, while Charles was picking up his son JJ from Lori’s house, he was shot twice by Alex Cox, Lori’s brother, and died. Charles died on July 11, 2019. Alex claimed it was in self-defense but it was later determined to be murder. Lori has been charged with his death, but Alex was not because Alex died in November of 2019.
Lori Vallow’s Family
Lori’s family members are involved in the case, in multiple ways. She has had a total of five siblings, three children and five husbands including Chad Daybell. Of her children, only Colby Ryan is still alive. She has only two living siblings, SUmmer and Adam. Out of her five husbands, two are deceased: Joe and Charles.
Lori Vallow’s Parents Janis Cox and Barry Cox
Lori’s parents are Janis and Barry Cox. Lori’s mother has given several interviews including an appearance in “Sins of Our Mother”, but Barry has not been involved with the media. Barry and Janis are known for tax evasion. They raised their children in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Barry and Janis had six children.
Lori Vallow’s Siblings
Lori has five siblings with only four of them reaching adulthood. Three of Lori’s siblings are deceased. Her siblings are:
- Alex Cox
- Adam Cox
- Stacy Cox Cope – Stacy died in 1998 at the age of 31 apparently from complications with Type 1 diabetes. Though her death isn’t considered suspicious, many questions have been brought up regarding her death. Alex was at home with her when she dies and used her credit cards after she died. Her daughter, Melanie, was involved in the teachings of Chad and Lori.
- Summer Cox Shiflet – SUmmer has given several interviews and initially supported Lori until the bodies of the children were found.
- Laura Lee Cox – died in infancy
Lori Vallow’s Brother Alex Cox
Alex is Lori’s older brother and is suspected of the murders of all four of the victims. He is also suspected of the attempted murder of Tammy Daybell and Melanie Boudreaux’s ex-husband Brandon Boudreaux. Alex has been charged with the assault of Joseph Ryan several years earlier but had made statements that it was actually a murder attempt. Alex died in November of 2022 after being married for just a few weeks to Zulema Pastenes, who was also a follower of Chad and Lori’s beliefs. Alex does have a previous marriage from 1992 that only lasted a year, to a woman named Debbie.
Lori Vallow’s Husbands
Lori was married five times and is currently married to Chad Daybell, her codefendant. An observation that I have made was that Lori insisted that all of her husbands join the LDS church with the exception of Chad who was already a member and none of Lori’s family was present at any of her weddings. Lori Vallow’s husbands are:
- Nelson Yanes 1992 – They were married about a year and had no children
- William Lagioia 1995 – They were married for a year and had one son together, Colby Ryan
- Joseph “Joe Ryan” 2001 – Joseph and Lori were married in 2001 and divorced in 2004, they had one child together Tylee Ryan, and Joseph adopted Colby. Joseph is deceased, and he died in 2018 from a heart attack. Alex had attempted to kill him several years earlier with a taser.
- Leland “Charles” Anthony Vallow 2005 – Charles and Lori got married in 2009 and it ended in 2019 when Charles was shot and killed by Alex Cox. They were separated at the time. Lori is being charged with his death in Arizona.
- Chad Daybell 2019 – Lori met Chad at a conference in Arizona in October of 2018. They were married on November 5, 2019 in Hawaii. They are still currently married and both are in jail in Idaho awaiting trial.
Lori Vallow’s Children
Lori has 3 children. COlby Ryan is the only one of her children that is still living. Her children are:
- Colby Ryan – Colby Ryan is married to Kelsee Ryan. They have one child together.
- Tylee Ryan – She is one of the victims in the case. Her father is Joe Ryan, who is deceased.
- JJ Vallow – He is one of the victims in the case. He is Lori’s adopted son, Charles Vallow’s biological great-nephew, and the biological grandson of Kay Woodcock.
Lori Vallow’s Niece Melanie Cope Beaudreax Pawlowski
Melanie is the daughter of Lori’s sister Stacy. When Stacy died, Lori and Melanie grew very close. Melanie was part of Lori and Chad’s following. Melanie was married to Brandon Beaudreax, and Brandon filed for divorce in June of 2019 due to her extreme and radical religious beliefs. Brandon was shot at in October of 2019 and it is suspected that Alex was the one that shot at him. When Lori moved to Idaho to be with Chad, Melanie followed her and lived in the same apartment complex as Lori and Alex. Melanie would marry Ian Powlowski in November of 2019.
Besides a tempestuous and hostile divorce, Melanie has had other legal troubles. In November of 2021, Melanie was arrested in Utah and charged with domestic violence. Her ex-husband Brandon had gone into hiding with his children because he was fearful that Melanie would do something to them. In September of 2022, she was charged with computer tampering when she accessed Brandon’s online bank records, but those charges have been dropped
Charles Vallow’s Family
Charles had a very large family. He had two brothers and four sisters. One of his sisters passed away just before he did. Charles’s brother Jerry and Bobby have given interviews to the media.
Charles was married twice previously and had two sons from his last marriage.
Kay and Larry Woodcock
Kay is Charle’s sister and JJ’s biological grandmother. Kay and Larry have been at all of the court hearings. Kay was suspicious of Charles’s death and concerned with JJs safety. SHe did reach out multiple times to the Chandler Police Department, especially when Lori would not let her talk to JJ. Kay last spoke to JJ in August of 2019. No one knew where Lori was living, and her address in Rexburg was discovered when Lori bought a wedding ring online with Charle’s Vallow’s Amazon account. Kay was very persistent and because of this, the welfare check in Idaho was made in November of 2019.
The Ryan Family
Lori was previously married to Joe Ryan who died in 2018. Their divorce and custody battle was ugly. Lori benefited from his death financially because of his $150,000.00 life insurance policy. Joe’s sister Annie, believes his death was suspicious. However, because he was cremated, there is no way of knowing. Alex had attempted to kill him previously and Joe was Joe had been dead for several weeks before his body was discovered in his apartment.
Annie Cushing
Annie is Tylee’s biological aunt and Joseph’s biological sister. She has given multiple interviews regarding this case. Annie also has the most detailed timeline of this case on her website, annielytics.com. Annie has become a voice and an advocate for both JJ and Tylee.
Chad Daybell’s Family
Chad was married to Tammy, one of the victims. They had five children together. Chad’s family with the exception of his children, are not supporting Chad at this time and do not believe is innocent. Chad’s parents Jack and Shelia, and brothers Paul and Matt, have issued statements previously. They have become very close to the Woodcocks.
Chad Daybell’s Children
Chad and Tammy Daybell had five children together. The children gave an interview to “48 Hours” in the episode “The Secrets of Chad Daybell’s Backyard” on September 1, 2021, and that episode aired again in July of 2022. Several of them have been in the courtroom during his hearings. Chad Daybell’s children are:
- Emma Daybell Murray
- Mark Daybell
- Leah Daybell Murphy
- Seth Daybell
- Garth Daybell
Tammy Daybell’s Family
Tamara “Tammy” Michelle Douglas Daybell is one of the victims in the case. She died in 2019. She left behind her five children, three grandchildren, her parents and her siblings. Her parents are Ron and Phyllis Douglas. Tammy’s siblings are:
- Michael Douglas
- Samantha Gwilliam – Samantha may have been instrumental in finding the bodies of Tylee and JJ. She alerted law enforcement to the location of the pet cemetery in Chad Daybell’s backyard where the children were ultimately found.
- Matthew Douglas
- Benjamin Douglas
Because of Tammy’s work as a librarian, her family has started a nonprofit in her name. The Tammy Douglas Daybell Foundation promotes literacy and gives books to children and libraries.
Other Individuals and Associates in the Vallow Daybell Case
Besides the victims and their families, there are multiple other individuals that are relevant to the case. This may be because of their association with Chad and Lori or their involvement in the investigation and development of the case.
The Reporters from the Daybell and Vallow Case
Multiple reporters have covered this story, but there are two in particular who have covered this case from the very beginning. Nate Eaton with East Idaho News has covered the story since the very beginning when the children were reported missing. Justin Lum has covered the case from the beginning from Arizona.
Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow’s Friends and Associates
Several of the individuals below either gave testimony during the inditement or their interviews have been used as evidence in this case. Many of them have given interviews to the media. They are all relevant to the case in multiple ways. They are:
- Zulema Pastenes- Zulema was part of Chad and Lori’s religious group. She was married to Lori’s brother Alex Cox for about two weeks before she died. She has mentioned that Alex may have tried to drug and kill her.
- Melanie Gibb – Melanie was part of Preparing the People. She ultimately introduced Lori to Chad. Lori and Melanie podcasted together and Melanie was one of the last people to see JJ alive. She may or may not have been involved in planning the murders, and gave testimony during the indictment.
- David Warwick – David is Melanie Gibb’s boyfriend. He was up in Idaho when JJ was last seen and gave testimony during the indictment.
- Julie Rowe
- Suzanne Freeman
- Christopher Parret Sr.
- Jason Mow
Law Enforcement and Legal Teams
The case is currently being tried in Ada County Multiple law enforcement agencies and lawyers have been involved and are still involved in this case.
- Judge Boyce – Judge Boyce is the judge currently presiding over this case. Previously, Judge Farren Edinns had recused himself from the case.
- Before Lori was arrested, Sean Bartholick represented both Chad and Lori.
- Lori’s original lawyers after she was charged were Brian Webb and Edwina Elcox until May of 2021. Both of them quit the case. Her lawyer was then Mark Means, who was disqualified from the case in December of 2021. Her current lawyers are Jim Archibald and John Thomas.
- Chad’s lawyer is John Prior.
- Multiple law enforcement teams have been involved in this case including Len Humphries and detective Ray Hermosillo. Detective Hermosillo’s testimony was heart-wrenching during the indictment.
Our next episode will be about Lori’s personal life through 2018. Because of how extensive it is, it has been split into two parts. Comment below with your thoughts on this episode.
