Lori Vallow Daybell, the Idaho woman convicted of the murders of her two youngest children,
has broken her silence in a new, exclusive interview with Keith Morrison on NBC’s Dateline.
The two-hour special, titled Lori Vallow Daybell: The Jailhouse Interview, aired on March 7,
2025, marking her first television appearance since being sentenced to life in prison in 2023.
Vallow Daybell, now incarcerated for the 2020 murders of her daughter, Tylee Ryan, 16, and son, Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7,
remains defiant in her belief that she and her husband, Chad Daybell, are innocent.
In a shocking excerpt from the interview, she told Morrison, “I will be exonerated. We will both be exonerated in the future,” hinting at her conviction that a future event or revelation will clear their names.
The interview delves into the deeply troubling case that has captivated the nation. In May 2023, Vallow Daybell was found guilty of the murders after the remains of her two children were discovered in shallow graves on Chad Daybell’s property in Rexburg, Idaho. The children’s tragic deaths, coupled with bizarre and chilling beliefs that permeated their lives, became a focal point of a high-profile investigation.
As the story unfolded, authorities also uncovered evidence of a disturbing doomsday ideology that influenced the couple’s actions. Lori Vallow Daybell’s beliefs, which involved an apocalyptic worldview, were reportedly shared by Chad Daybell, who had a history of writing books centered on end-of-days themes. In addition to the murders of her children, Vallow Daybell was convicted of conspiring to kill Chad’s previous wife, Tammy Daybell, who also died under suspicious circumstances in October 2019.
The special also includes testimony from individuals closely involved in the case. Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Doug Hart and Sheriff Ron Ball, the former lead detective for the Rexburg Police Department, provide further insights into the investigation. Detective Ray Hermosillo, who was also integral to the case, gives additional details about the investigation that ultimately led to the discovery of the children’s bodies.
One of the most poignant moments in the special comes when Morrison speaks with Colby Ryan, Lori’s surviving son from a previous marriage. Colby, who has been publicly grappling with the loss of his siblings and the revelation of his mother’s actions, shares his feelings of betrayal and devastation. In a deeply emotional exchange, Colby reflects on his shattered perception of his mother: “I guess I was always a very positive, see-the-best-in-people kind of person. And then I watched someone that I knew my entire life do what she did. And it just changed the way I view people.”
He also reveals the lasting emotional toll of his sister Tylee’s treatment after her death. “The way that my sister was treated was with hate. That’s not even human to do what they did to her body, after,” he says, his voice breaking with grief.
The case surrounding Lori Vallow Daybell has been marked by a series of chilling revelations, including her disturbing beliefs and the discovery of her children’s remains in such a horrific manner. Vallow Daybell had been married to Chad Daybell, her fifth husband, who also faced serious charges for the deaths of the children and his first wife, Tammy. In 2024, Chad was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder, including the murders of Tylee and JJ, as well as Tammy’s death. He was sentenced to death and is currently awaiting execution.
The interview gives viewers a glimpse into the complex and haunting nature of the case, shedding light on Lori Vallow Daybell’s mindset and her ongoing belief in her eventual exoneration. Although she maintains her innocence, the shocking details and evidence presented in her trial make it unlikely that she will ever be freed. The broadcast also serves as an opportunity for audiences to understand the human side of the case, as Colby Ryan reflects on the pain and confusion that has come with the tragic loss of his siblings and the betrayal he feels from his mother.
Dateline’s coverage of this case is not limited to this interview alone. The Daybell saga has been the subject of multiple Dateline broadcasts, with Morrison also investigating the case for the popular Dateline podcast, Mommy Doomsday. The story continues to unfold, keeping the public riveted and searching for answers to the complex and disturbing events that led to these tragic deaths.
As Vallow Daybell stands by her claims of innocence, the lingering questions and heartbreak surrounding the murders of Tylee and JJ Vallow remain, leaving an indelible mark on those who followed the investigation closely. For now, Lori Vallow Daybell’s future remains uncertain, but her first TV interview on Dateline offers a chilling look into the mind of a woman convicted of two of the most horrific crimes in recent memory.
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