'Cult mom' found guilty of murdering children as part of 'zombie children' ritual

May 14, 2023

'Cult mom' Lori Vallow Daybell was found guilty on Friday of murdering her children Joshua "J.J." Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 16, as part of a ritual that required their death for them to go to the afterlife.

In addition to the two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, she was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of Tammy Daybell, Chad Daybell's ex-wife, and grand theft.

The jury deliberated for seven hours before rendering the verdict in the case.

Chad Daybell was also charged in the deaths, but the trials were severed in March, when the death penalty was also taken off the table.

The pair allegedly believed their children were possessed, and that by prayer, they could cause their physical deaths and free their trapped souls to pass into the afterlife.

The bodies were found buried on Daybell's property, and the couple also allegedly stole Social Security benefits belonging to the children.