“Lori Vallow Daybell: The Jailhouse Interview”: Dateline Reports March 7 2025

NBC’s Dateline will air a highly anticipated two-hour special on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET, featuring an exclusive jailhouse interview with convicted murderer Lori Vallow Daybell. This is the first time Vallow Daybell has spoken publicly since her conviction for the murders of her children, 7-year-old Joshua “J.J.” Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as her conspiracy to murder her husband’s former wife, Tammy Daybell.

In the interview, conducted by veteran Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison, Lori maintains her innocence and claims that she and her husband, Chad Daybell, will one day be exonerated. Despite Chad being sentenced to death for his role in the murders, Lori insists that she has had “visions” from heaven revealing a future where they are both free. The special will also include emotional testimony from Lori’s son, Colby Ryan, who speaks about his mother’s transformation and the devastating impact of her crimes.

The episode is the latest installment in Dateline’s ongoing coverage of the case, following its earlier broadcasts and the popular Mommy Doomsday podcast, which chronicled the chilling details behind the disappearance and deaths of J.J. and Tylee. To understand the full scope of the case, it is essential to look at the timeline of events leading to Lori and Chad’s convictions.

The Murders of J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan

The disappearance of J.J. and Tylee in September 2019 was the first sign of a much darker conspiracy. J.J., who had autism, was last seen on September 22, 2019, at Lori’s home in Rexburg, Idaho. Tylee was last seen on September 8 during a family trip to Yellowstone National Park. Following their disappearances, Lori and Chad refused to cooperate with authorities, insisting that the children were safe.

Months later, on June 9, 2020, law enforcement officers searching Chad Daybell’s property made a gruesome discovery: the remains of J.J. and Tylee buried in shallow graves. J.J.’s body was found wrapped in plastic and secured with duct tape, while Tylee’s remains had been burned and dismembered. The horrific nature of the crime shocked the public, with prosecutors arguing that the children were viewed as obstacles to Lori and Chad’s apocalyptic beliefs and personal gain.

Authorities determined that J.J. had been asphyxiated, but due to the condition of Tylee’s remains, her exact cause of death was undetermined. Investigators linked the murders to Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, who was believed to have carried out the killings. Cox died suddenly in December 2019 from natural causes, preventing his prosecution.

The Murder of Tammy Daybell

Just weeks after the children were last seen, Chad Daybell’s wife, Tammy Daybell, was found dead in their Idaho home on October 19, 2019. At the time, Chad claimed that Tammy had died in her sleep from natural causes. However, investigators later exhumed her body, and an autopsy revealed she had been asphyxiated.

Tammy’s sudden death raised suspicions, especially after Chad married Lori just two weeks later in Hawaii. Phone records showed that Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, had been near the Daybell home the night of Tammy’s death. Prosecutors argued that Lori and Chad had planned Tammy’s murder so that they could be together and access her life insurance money.

In the Dateline special, investigators, including former FBI agent Doug Hart and Rexburg police officers, recount how their suspicions grew as more evidence emerged, ultimately leading to Chad’s arrest.

The Cult-Like Beliefs That Drove the Crimes

Lori and Chad’s relationship was built on radical religious beliefs that deviated from mainstream Mormonism. Chad, an apocalyptic author, claimed to have the ability to communicate with spirits and predict the end of the world. He believed that certain people were “dark spirits” or “zombies” who needed to be “removed” for the coming apocalypse.

Lori, already deeply involved in extreme religious circles, became convinced that she had a divine mission. She and Chad allegedly ranked people based on a system of “light” and “dark” spirits. Prosecutors revealed that Lori referred to her own children as “zombies” before they were murdered. The Dateline episode will explore how these disturbing beliefs played a role in justifying the killings.

Key witnesses, including Lori’s former friend Melanie Gibb, detailed how Lori and Chad manipulated followers into believing they were chosen to lead a select group of 144,000 into the prophesied end times. The show will highlight how this delusion spiraled into deadly actions.

The Trials and Sentencing

Lori and Chad were charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and grand theft. Their cases were initially set to be tried together, but in 2023, they were separated.

Lori’s trial began in April 2023, and she was found guilty on all counts on May 12, 2023. During her sentencing, Judge Steven Boyce stated that Lori had shown no remorse and had used religion as a justification for her crimes. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Chad’s trial took place in 2024, and he was convicted on all counts on May 30, 2024. The jury sentenced him to death on June 1, 2024, making him one of the few people on Idaho’s death row. His conviction included additional charges of insurance fraud for collecting payouts on Tammy’s life insurance policy.

Lori still faces upcoming trials in Arizona for the murder of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and the attempted murder of her niece’s former husband, Brandon Boudreaux.

The Family’s Emotional Testimonies

The Dateline episode will also feature powerful testimony from those closest to the case, including Lori’s surviving son, Colby Ryan. He describes how his mother’s transformation into a self-proclaimed religious figure led to the destruction of their family. His heartbreaking account highlights the betrayal and pain he experienced upon learning what had happened to his younger siblings.

J.J.’s grandparents, Larry and Kay Woodcock, also appear in the special, discussing their relentless pursuit of justice. They were the first to raise the alarm when they could not contact J.J. in 2019. Their advocacy played a significant role in keeping national attention on the case.

Conclusion: A Story That Continues to Unfold

Despite being convicted, Lori Vallow Daybell refuses to acknowledge her role in the crimes. In her interview with Dateline, she claims that she and Chad will one day be “exonerated.” However, the overwhelming evidence presented in court, coupled with the devastating impact of the murders, suggests otherwise.

The Dateline special provides an in-depth look at how religious extremism, manipulation, and deception culminated in one of the most shocking criminal cases in recent history. By revisiting the evidence, testimonies, and trials, the program offers a comprehensive examination of the tragic events that led to Lori and Chad’s downfall.

The case remains a sobering reminder of the dangers of unchecked fanaticism and the devastating consequences it can bring. Tune in on Friday, March 7, at 9:00 PM ET for an unfiltered look at the story that continues to captivate and horrify audiences nationwide.