The discovery of the children in Chad Daybell's backyard was the result of a complicated six-month investigation that unraveled a sordid tale of murder, greed and religious fanaticism a story that began with their mother, Lori Vallow, who, to her friend April Raymond, was a woman who once seemed incapable of harming her own children. Lori Vallow and Cox were questioned at the time but werent charged, as they claimed self-defense. They were found dead in shallow graves on Chad Daybells property nine months later in June 2020. She had pleaded not guilty. DET. April Raymond: The way she had explained it to me about Charles was that Charles was already dead. We're going to do it for JJ. On November 26, 2019, two months after JJ was last seen, Rexburg Police came knocking on Lori's door looking for the little boy. Vaisia Itaaehau: She took beautiful pictures, so we would just go to the beach and just take pictures and kind of capture certain moments She was just so clever and always just like really quick comebacks, like so witty. He's not moving. In October 2019, a few months after Charles Vallow died, Tammy Daybell was found dead of what were believed at the time to be natural causes. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. They asked the Rexburg Police Department to perform a welfare check on JJ in November 2019. UNIDENTFIED PERSON #1: Could you get a hold of her at some point and say, "Can you please call back the officer that's been trying to call you?". Produced by Liza Finley and Richard Fetzer. He told them she had lost her reality and threatened to kill him. And Lori thought/ that was a liability. Authorities initially believed the 49-year-old woman died from natural causes in her sleep, but an autopsy later declared her death a homicide by asphyxiation. They were last seen in September, and they were declared missing in November after extended family urged police to investigate. Lori Vallows estranged cousin has revealed one of her most haunting fears about the murders for which the so-called cult mom is currently on trial. The teenager had been dismembered and burned. LORI VALLOW: OK, sure. Near a pet cemetery of property grounds, investigators found JJ's decomposed remains buried in a shallow grave. For Mandy, the news of her son's horrific death cut just as deeply. But by 2019, that marriage had also soured. And he had so much love- - so much love. The two purportedly felt an instant connection and claimed they had been married to each other in a past life, according to police records. Lori Vallow-Daybell and JJ Vallow at Yellowstone National Park on September 8, 2019. They just I really thought he was comin' home. Gibb and Warwick testified that Cox put JJ to bed in Lori's room. The 7-year-old boy was killed and found buried in a shallow grave in June 2020 on Chad Daybells property. Morgan Loew: He said, "I need to report a shooting. Chad Daybell and Lori' Vallow's hula dancing days were numbered. Shortly after Charles death, Vallow Daybell moved to eastern Idaho with JJ, Tylee and her brother Cox. Charles Vallow was killed in 2019, shot in an altercation with Vallow Daybell's brother, Alex Cox, in Arizona, where the Vallow family including JJ and Tylee and Cox were living at the time. Alex Cox, Lori's brother, incredibly, had also died. Colby Ryan, who testified that he had a happy childhood, started crying on the stand when prosecutors showed him photos of Tylee and JJ, and talked about how Tylee was receiving social security benefits because her biological father Joe Ryan died in 2018. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. He reportedly believed he had numerous past lives and could talk to angels. The couple later adopted JJ, who was the biological grandson of Vallows sister, and the family lived together with Tylee for years. "Paint til you're blue." Kay Woodcock testified the first week of Loris trial that her son and his girlfriend gave JJ up Soon after, Vallow Daybell and her children moved to Idaho. Police point-blank blame Lori Vallow for not helping them Soon after they started digging, he said he was struck by a "strong odor" that he instantly recognized to be caused by bodily decomposition. I just kind of loved how she would just play with him and just always have, like, a really good time with him. Charles was so spooked by Lori he went to the police. The call starts with Ryan asking Vallow Daybell if she thought she could keep hiding from him. Jonathan Vigliotti is a CBS News correspondent based in Los Angeles. this one sticks this one is bad. Charles Vallow filed for divorce in February 2019 after Lori Vallow started seeing Daybell and after she accused him of having an affair. Zulema Pastenes is the widow of Cox. You can listen to each day's testimony, which the court releases at the end of each day, onCBS News' YouTube channel. The 7-year-old boy was killed and found buried in a shallow grave in June 2020 on Chad Daybells property. How come you're not telling anybody where your kids are?" Prosecutors in both Idaho and Arizona said he conspired to kill JJ, Tylee, Tammy Daybell and Charles Vallow. You do it to keep them from yelling or talking. On May 25, 2021, they were formally charged with murder in the first degree in the deaths Tylee and JJ. He was getting physical with her. According to a probable cause affidavit filed against Daybell, Gibb told authorities she had visited the couple at their home between Sept. 19, 2019, and Sept. 23, 2019. Morgan Loew: Why do you bind somebody's feet and hands and mouth in duct tape? whose father is Ms Vallows uncle, Charles Vallows sister Kay Woodcock was JJs biological grandmother. investigative reporter Morgan Loew asks Lori Vallow Daybell on March 5, 2020, as she was extradited from Hawaii to Rexburg, Idaho, to face child abandonment charges. But what about the man who led them to Daybell's backyard? CHARLES VALLOW: She threatened me, murder me, kill me. An online comment under Vallow's obituary also mentioned two kids and that was the first time Gwilliam heard anything about Lori's son and daughter, she told the jury. Morgan Loew: Every time, Kay Woodcock, would call, there would be a different excuse about where the kids were. JJs father, Charles Vallow, is actually Woodcocks brother: He adopted JJ as a baby because JJs biological parents including Woodcocks son were unable to care for the child. It takes a community to raise one of our children and JJ had a community. He also expressed fear that she might hurt their children. That welfare check in November of 2019 revealed that both kids were missing. Lori Vallow, a blonde beauty pageant-winning mom from California, allegedly murdered her two children, Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua Jackson 'JJ' Vallow, seven. That's when she realized Charles Vallow had been shot to death. The criminal trial against Lori Vallow Daybell a 49-year-old Rexburg, Idaho, mother accused of killing her two children involves several states, families and a monthslong search for her kids. The sister of Tammy Daybell, who was killed in what Vallow has also been accused of being consumed with doomsday theories. "Part of her mission on Earth was to eliminate the darkness, the demonic the evil," Raymond said. He said in the 911 call that he "got in a fight with my brother-in-law and I shot him." The thought of Tylee ending up that way was almost too much for Echo Itaaehau to bear. The night before she died, Leger had made a defiant vow to a friend in a text message, voicing determination to get to the bottom of what happened to her biological son. Vallow Daybells first marriage, to a high school sweetheart when she was just 19, ended quickly. JJ's biological father. Everyone wanted to know what happened to them. In his brief obituary, he is called a loving father to sons Cole, Zach and Joshua Jaxon JJ Vallow. [Lori speaks] OK, just stand over there for just a second, guys. She told jurors that JJ was born with some disabilities and was diagnosed with autism. I felt in shock. It was updated on May 29, 2021. I spotted a big raccoon along the fence. Here are all the key people involved , Idaho murder suspect's former school district wont talk. He married Tammy Daybell in 1990, and they had five kids. Margaret Travillion | LIFE co-founder: Our administrator came into my office. JJs father, Charles Vallow, is actually Woodcocks brother: He adopted JJ as a baby because JJs biological parents including Woodcocks son were unable to care for the child. Charles Vallow - Charles was JJ's adoptive father and Tylee's stepfather. Morgan Loew: I think what Lori didn't bank on was that Melanie had a conscience and Melanie was really worried about what happened. But I love you with all my heart, and I have forever, and I will always love you. J.J.s birth father is Kay Woodcocks son, who lost custody of the boy before he was adopted by Charles and Lori Vallow. A warning: what you are about to read may be disturbing. Alex told them Charles and Lori got into a fight. JJs biological father is Dennis Trahan, who is Kay Woodcocks son. Vallow Daybell's defense is arguing that jurors must focus on what evidence shows Vallow Daybell did, not what her husband or brother may have done. And she was like, "Margaret, you're not gonna believe this. Here are some of the important names to know as prosecutors and defense attorneys make their cases. Melani Pawlowski outside a courthouse in Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 27, 2020. At Chad Daybell's preliminary hearing, Detective Ray Hermosillo testified the child was covered head to toe in duct tape. She married again in her early 20s, and had a son named Colby before divorcing. Melanie Gibb was a friend of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell who became a key witness in the case against them. Lori later married Charles Vallow, and the Vallows adopted J.J., who was autistic. It's like not a care in the world. I was not OK with it because she told something to the police that was not true So, I was I had a really bad feeling in my stomach, and I felt very shooken [sic] up by it. Police left after they told him that it wasnt a criminal case and that they werent able to execute a mental health check on his wife at the time. Morgan Loew: What was striking about the footage that we saw was that There's no remorse. OFFICER DORENBUSH: She threatened to murder you? She said: Hes a Sometime between 9 p.m. and midnight on September 22, the last night of their visit, Lori, Melanie and David were in the kitchen doing a religious podcast when Alex Cox appeared. FILE - A boy looks at a memorial for Tylee Ryan and Joshua "JJ" Vallow in Rexburg, Idaho, on June 11, 2020. 911 DISPATCHER: And is he hurt? CHAD DAYBELL phone call]: Hello, sweet Melanie. Lori Vallow is a suspect in a web of alleged murders in Idaho and Arizona. In a separate case in Arizona, she is charged with conspiring to murder her late husband, Charles Vallow. Gibb participated in castings with Vallow Daybell and others. But it was Tylee's bond with JJ that Vaisia will always remember. Joshua Jaxon JJ Vallow a high-energy 7-year-old boy with a goofy smile died from asphyxiation because of a plastic bag over his head and duct tape over his Sources familiar with the matter told The U.S. Sun that Leger's dad and step-mom requested to foster JJ in the hope of keeping him in Louisiana but were denied by local Child Protection Services (CPS) officials. By the time the deadline came around on January 30, Lori had failed to comply with the order. JJs father, Charles Vallow, is actually Woodcocks brother: He adopted JJ as a baby BOISE, Idaho Prosecutors say the mother charged in a triple murder case took part in a complex conspiracy that included unusual spiritual beliefs and efforts to kill those who stood in the way of her goals. And with Alex Cox went a whole incredible amount of potential information that investigators could've used on this case. Lori explained why. "She was completely devastated [when JJ was found dead]," the friend told The U.S. Sun. The two also held gatherings of people who shared their increasingly fervent beliefs: "48 Hours" reported Vallow Daybell believed she was chosen to lead the 144,000 people who would survive the end times. Vallow Daybell is currently on trial at the Ada County Courthouse. Vallow has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, conspiracy and grand theft in the deaths of two of her children, Joshua and Tylee, and of Tammy Daybell. Shortly before he died, he changed the beneficiary of his $1 million life insurance policy from his wife to his sister. ROB WOOD: OK. And then what did she tell you? Morgan Loew: It appears that Chandler Police believe Lori had something to do with Charles's death. Jurors were heard gasping throughout the harrowing testimony. A condition of the adoption was that the Woodcocks remain in JJs life. Here, a look at the defendants and some of the witnesses in the trial of Lori Vallow Daybell: Lori Vallow Daybell, 49, is a beautician by trade, a mother of three, and a wife five times over. Morgan Loew: We know that shortly after Charles's death, Lori tried to claim that life insurance policy he had changed the beneficiary to his sister. But not everyone believes they played equal parts. since JJs adoptive father, Charles Vallow, is deceased. It was then that they realized his sister Tylee was also missing. LORI VALLOW: Wow, this is a big mess, I just talked to the guy on the phone. Joe Ryans sister, Annie Cushing, told East Idaho News that she has questioned her brothers death. That's not that's not what a friend does. Bordeaux had already spoken with authorities about Lori Vallow, alleging that a vehicle she had access to was involved in an attempt to kill him in October 2019, according to a probable cause affidavit filed against Lori Vallow in 2020, before the childrens remains were found. One of the many tributes to JJ and Tylee. JJs father, Charles Vallow, is actually Woodcocks brother: He adopted JJ as a baby because JJs biological parents including Woodcocks son were unable to care Daybell was a former gravedigger-turned-novelist and podcaster from Rexburg, Idaho, who some say was something of a local cult leader, says Morgan. Margaret Travillion: That it made sense. Around 6:45 p.m. that evening, they left Yellowstone and drove back to the apartment complex in Rexburg. Fun times.". Alex Cox died in December 2019 from a pulmonary embolism, a condition that causes one or more arteries in the lungs to become blocked by a blood clot, according to the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. By this time, investigators believe JJ was already dead. April Raymond: I feel like whatever story we were given about how Charles was killed was not the truth. Morgan Loew: Chad had this belief that some people who were on this earth weren't really the people they were supposed to be. The day after, Lori Vallow informed the school JJ would not be attending anymore. Chad Daybell whose trial date hasnt been set also faces a first-degree murder charge in Tammy Daybells death. Tylees remains, meanwhile, were so badly burned that investigators were unable to determine a cause of death. Morgan Loew: They're in this Hawaii vacation. Two-and-a-half weeks later, the widower and the merry widow wed in Hawaii. At right is their mother's brother Alex Cox. Kay Vallow Woodcock is sister to Charles, Loris fourth husband. He's the sweetest soul I've ever met. CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti and "48 Hours" producers offer trial recaps and analysis in a weekly podcast.