Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News

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Late last week, an Idaho jury convicted a woman of murdering two of her children, apparently after coming to believe she was a deity and that her children’s spirits had been replaced.

Lori Vallow Daybell was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the 2019 deaths of her children, Tylee Ryan (17) and 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow (7), and three counts of conspiracy to commit murder in connection to the deaths of her children as well as Tammy Daybell, the first wife Lori’s husband, Chad Daybell, who faces similar charges in a still-ongoing legal proceeding.

She was also convicted of collecting her children’s Social Security benefits, which was treated under the law as a form of theft.

“We want to assure each of you that we remain committed to pursuing justice for Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow, and Tammy Daybell,” Prosecutors Rob Wood and Lindsey Blake said in a statement.

Citing the ongoing nature of Chad Daybell’s case, the prosecutors did not offer additional context.

According to numerous media reports from inside the courtroom, Vallow Daybell appeared more perplexed or befuddled than angered by the outcome. She stood cross-armed for a moment, spoke to her attorney, and then quickly exited the courtroom.

“I have said many times, I want a fair, honest, and righteous decision,” Larry Woodcock, JJ Vallow’s grandfather, told reporters after the verdict. “I think we had 18 jurors that all deserve our appreciation, our love, and they gave an honest, fair, and righteous verdict.”

THE DOOMSDAY CULT

It is a cruel irony that Woodcock alluded to God’s righteousness in his remarks. Lori Vallow Daybell has been convicted of, and Chad Daybell stands accused of, behaving in a manner steeped in the unrighteousness of Hell.

As outlined in more detail on this timeline, which was created by CBS News, the Daybells, who were members of a doomsday cult, met and bonded through their pursuit of what is an unquestioned perversion of God’s Holy Word.

According to remarks made by Lori’s now ex-husband, Charles Vallow, she became convinced that she was a god and preparing for the end times.

In 2019, Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, shot Charles to death, he said in self-defense. Authorities in Arizona are unconvinced, and Lori also faces a conspiracy to commit murder charge in Arizona. Alex has since died of natural causes.

Later that year, according to a friend of the Daybells, Lori began to believe that her daughter and son were “zombies” whose souls had been replaced by “dark spirits.”

Both children eventually disappeared and Chad Daybell’s first wife died, authorities later determined her death to have been by means of asphyxiation at someone else’s hands.

Only weeks after Tammy’s death, Chad and Lori married. As authorities continued to search for the missing children, the couple traveled to Hawaii.

The children were eventually found on Chad’s property, where GPS data twice placed Alex Cox. Tylee’s body was found at the location where Chad Daybell once texted his late wife that he had shot and buried a raccoon. JJ’s body was found nearby.

Sentencing for Vallow Daybell will occur in about three months.