Lori Daybell ‘Doomsday Mom’ gets 2 life sentences in Arizona

PHOENIX – Convicted killer Lori Daybell has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms with the possibility of parole after 25 years after being found guilty in two Arizona trials.

During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Judge Justin Beresky refuted Daybell’s claim that she didn’t get a fair trial in Arizona, saying the so-called “Doomsday Mom” showed a “blatant disregard for humanity.”

“You should never be released from prison,” Beresky said, via the Associated Press. “Eventually the camera that you seek out, the media requests, will lessen over time and you will fade into obscurity.”

Daybell represented herself during both trials.

The backstory:

The so-called “Doomsday Mom” was found guilty earlier this year in two trials, one for murder conspiracy in the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and the second for the attempted murder of her ex-nephew-in-law, Brandon Boudreaux.

In May 2023, Daybell was found guilty of murdering her two children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, while conspiring in the murder of Tammy Daybell – the first wife of Chad Daybell.

The series of killings happened in September and October 2019. Both co-conspirators got married shortly after and now Chad Daybell is on death row after being sentenced last year.

‘I trusted you!’

What they’re saying:

In court on Friday, victims sobbed through impact statements, sharing how Daybell’s actions forever seared them and their families with searing, lasting pain.

More than 14 people spoke, detailing their loss and sorrow. They sat in the juror’s box to make space for more people in the courtroom, while looking straight at Daybell.

Charles’s sister, Kay Woodcock, and her husband, Larry, spoke directly to Daybell in some of the most emotional moments in court. 

“You are not exhalted. You are not translated,” said Kay. “You are a manipulator, a parasite, and a coward.”

At the end of her victim impact statement, Kay raised her voice at Daybell.

“I TRUSTED YOU!” Kay yelled.

Kay’s husband, Larry, made a separate victim impact statement.

“Look at me, Lori. Did you enjoy it? That’s the last time you’re ever gonna hear my name out of your mouth,” Larry said.

Lori Daybell: ‘Doomsday Mom’ called a ‘narcissist’

There were a number of dramatic moments in court on July 25, during the sentencing of Lori Daybell, and some of them involved the victim impact statement delivered by Larry Woodcock, who is the husband of Charles Vallow’s sister, Kay Woodcock. “I will never call or speak of your name again, murderess!” Larry said during his statement. “You are nothing.”

Brandon Boudreaux, who was the victim of an ultimately unsuccessful murder plot, also addressed the court, along with members of his family.

“I had friends who stood up and put their lives on hold to help me and my children. I don’t know how to convey to you the fear they must have felt, to just me involved with me—or around me,” Brandon said.

“Nothing prepares you to hear your dad tell you someone tried to shoot and kill your brother, and that they missed him by inches,” said Brandon’s sister, Desiree Smoot.

“He has survivor’s guilt,” said Brandon’s current wife, Jenny Boudreaux. “He sometimes wondered why he survived, and the others did not.”

Judge Justin Beresky also spoke for some time about the case before he handed Daybell her sentence.

“To Charles’ family: I just wanna share with you that I’m sorry for your loss. Charles seemed like a great all-around guy,” Judge Beresky said.

Judge Beresky also had some words for Daybell.

“You’ve left a wake of destruction stretching from Louisiana across Texas, Arizona up to Idaho and back again,” said Judge Beresky. “It will take an act of God for you to go free. In short, you should never be released from prison.”

What’s next:

Daybell is expected to be extradited back to Idaho within 30 days of her sentencing.

Lori Daybell: Retired judge blasts ‘Doomsday Mom’

The final chapter of the legal saga involving Lori Daybell finally came to a close on July 25, with an Arizona judge sentencing the so-called ‘Doomsday Mom’ to multiple life sentences for her role in the murder of Charles Vallow, as well as an attempted murder. FOX 10 Investigator Justim Lum spoke with a panel of legal experts on the developments of the day.

Lori Daybell said she was ‘convicted in the media’

Before she was sentenced to multiple life sentences in court on July 25, Lori Daybell made a speech in front of the judge, where she criticized the legal system and said she was ‘convicted in the media’ before she went to trial.

Lori Daybell sentencing: Boudreaux addresses court

In the victim impact statement he delivered during the sentencing of Lori Daybell, Brandon Boudreaux said he would “never feel safe” if the so-called ‘Doomsday Mom” is not put in prison. Daybell was sentenced to two life sentences in Arizona in connection with the crimes she was found guilty of here.

Lori Daybell: Colby Ryan makes emotional statement

During the sentencing of the so-called ‘Doomsday Mom’ on July 25, the son of Lori Daybell made an Victim Impact Statement in court. “I’m here to tell you what I’ve lost,” Ryan said. “Not only are my father, sister, and brother gone, but so is my mother.”