PHOENIX (Court TV) — Lori Daybell was found guilty of conspiring to kill her ex-nephew-in-law by an Arizona jury after she represented herself at trial.
Prosecutors alleged Lori and her brother, Alex Cox, planned to kill Brandon Boudreaux in October 2019. Court documents said Cox drove a Jeep that belonged to Lori’s deceased husband, Charles Vallow, from Rexburg, Idaho, to Gilbert, Arizona, then shot at Boudreaux outside his home on Oct. 2. Boudreaux was not injured in the incident.
Lori Daybell appears in court for a pretrial hearing Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (Court TV)
At the time of the shooting, Boudreaux was recently separated from Lori’s niece, Melani Pawlowski. According to police reports, Lori and her fifth husband, Chad Daybell, along with Cox, told Pawlowski that Boudreaux had a “dark” soul when they allegedly began plotting his murder. Boudreaux previously testified about the shooting during Chad’s Idaho trial.
MORE | Who’s who in the world of Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell
Lori is facing a potential sentence of life in prison. She is already awaiting another possible sentence of life in prison after an Arizona jury convicted her of conspiring to kill Charles Vallow in April. Sentencing for both Arizona convictions is scheduled for July 25.
The Arizona charges are in addition to her life sentences in Idaho. In 2023, she was convicted of murdering her two youngest children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and conspiring to kill her fifth husband’s first wife, Tammy Daybell. Her husband, Chad Daybell, was convicted of the same charges and sentenced to death.
DAILY TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 6 – 6/12/25
- The jury reached a verdict.
DAY 5 – 6/11/25
- VIDEO: AZ v. Lori Daybell (Brandon Boudreaux Case) – Day 5
- Nick Ballance, FBI
- Agent Ballance, from the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team, reviewed cell data for Lori Vallow Daybell, Alex Cox, and a Walmart-purchased Tracfone.
- Timeline focused on late Sept. to early Oct. 2019; data included cell tower pings and Google location histories.
- PowerPoint presentation detailed phone locations: Cox’s device at Idaho Falls Walmart on 9/25/19 and Tracfone near Melani Boudreaux’s residence on 10/2/19.
- CELL DATA FINDINGS: Tracfone made calls to Chad Daybell and Melani Boudreaux before the AZ shooting.
- CAST analysis confirmed Alex Cox’s phone location activity around key events.
- Google records (from [email protected]) offered finer location detail than Verizon tower data.
- Confirmed multiple devices on a single Gmail could affect data; phone location ≠ person’s exact location.
- Acknowledged that devices pinging towers can cover large areas, and both Alex’s and Lori’s apartments were within same sector range.
- Ballance testified there was no evidence records were altered; data mapped “as received.”
- Verizon records limited to tower use; Google data more precise where available.
- Concluded that cell data reliably tied specific phones to locations at specific times.
- State rested its case.
- Lori announced she won’t testify or call witnesses.
- Motion for acquittal was denied; judge ruled circumstantial evidence supports State’s theory.
- Lori officially rested her case.
- Prosecution Closings – Treena J. Kay (State)
- Brandon Boudreaux immediately named Lori Vallow and Alex Cox as suspects.
- Described October 2, 2019 shooting: Brandon saw a rifle with a silencer from a Jeep; the bullet nearly hit him.
- Emphasized planning and premeditation, much of which occurred in Idaho.
- Lori allegedly spread false rumors to Brandon’s wife, Melani, damaging their marriage.
- Presented a timeline from June to October 2019, including:
- Lori searching how to remove the back seat from the Jeep.
- Alex Cox borrowing Lori’s Jeep, using a burner phone, and traveling to Arizona.
- Phone data shows Alex and Lori’s phones in strategic locations, including Walmart.
- Jeep had gunshot residue inside; Alex Cox’s DNA was also found.
- After the failed hit, Lori and Alex hid Jeep parts (tire/seat) in a storage unit.
- Lori called Chad Daybell multiple times during the plot.
- Lori and Alex later searched online to see if Brandon had died.
- Argues this was a conspiracy among Lori, Alex, Melani, and Chad: “[The Jeep modifications, burner phone, Google searches] were done to promote and aid murder,” “It’s not just holding someone’s phone.”
- Insists it wasn’t just Melani—it was all four.
- Defense Closings – Lori Daybell
- Spoke emotionally about family tragedy and being misunderstood.
- Claimed she had no agreement with Alex to commit a crime.
- Said supporting Melani didn’t mean she was against Brandon.
- Denied any gain from Brandon being harmed: “There is no such agreement between me and my brother Alex.”
- Claimed prosecution only showed a limited view of events. Stated: “There is no defense to what a person did not do.”
- Judge sustained multiple objections for testifying and emotional appeals.
- Concluded by saying: “It’s time for healing.”
- Prosecution Rebuttal – Treena J. Kay
- Said Lori is trying to make jurors think Brandon has a vendetta.
- Clarified Brandon’s been working with law enforcement for years.
- Called out Lori for misrepresenting trial evidence.
- Emphasized actions over words: “We don’t need words. We have actions.”
- Said Lori held Alex’s phone, loaned the Jeep, helped remove parts—“This screams conspiracy.”
- Called the tears and emotion not evidence: “Regardless of how many people want to cry… the evidence is what matters.”
- Final ask: “Find her guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.”
- Jury deliberated for 20 min. before breaking for the day.
DAY 4 – 6/10/25
- VIDEO: AZ v. Lori Daybell (Brandon Boudreaux Case) – Day 4
- Alex Cox’s and Lori Daybell’s Google search history were a focus of Tuesday’s testimony from Det. Ray Hermosillo.
- Alex’s records show searches for places to shoot near Rexburg, window tint shops, how to load your own ammunition, best projectiles for long range, ballistic charts and ballistic trajectory calculators, man shot in Gilbert, Boudreaux’s address.
- The jury also saw surveillance footage of Chad and Lori Daybell at a storage unit in Rexburg, Idaho.
DAY 3 – 6/9/25
- VIDEO: AZ v. Lori Daybell (Brandon Boudreaux Case) – Day 3
- Daniel Moss, owner of a window tinting shop in Rexburg, Idaho
- Moss indicated that customers often request darker tints on factory-tinted glass.
- Confirmed that he applied a 5% tint on the rear windows of a Jeep.
- Explained that such a dark tint can result in nearly 0% visibility from outside.
- Noted the license plate colors (white with black lettering) and confirmed it was a Texas plate.
- Completed the job on or about Sept. 25, 2019.
- Could not recall contact with the vehicle owner.
- Special Agent Thomas Miller, Drug Enforcement Administration
- Explanation of how LPRs (License Plate Readers) work.
- Overview of the DEA Special Intelligence Link (DEASIL) and its access for other agencies.
- Description of data collected by the LPR system.
- Captured a back plate image of the Jeep Wrangler on I-40 on Oct. 1, 2019.
- On cross, confirmed this was the only LPR image of the Jeep on that date.
- Discussed potential camera issues affecting data collection and how traffic conditions may impact effectiveness.
- Officer Marianne Robb (ret.), Gilbert, AZ police department
- Response to the scene of a shooting on Oct. 2, 2019.
- Observed a bullet hole in the frame of the car.
- Described the demeanor of the individual at the scene as bewildered and concerned.
- Provided details about the shooting incident recounted by the victim.
- Indicated that the victim suspected his soon-to-be ex-wife’s family (Lori Vallow and Alex Cox) as potential enemies.
- Det. Ryan Pillar, Gilbert Police Department
- Discussed evidence packaging and chain of custody.
- Jeep impounded by Rexburg police; later investigated by Arizona authorities.
- Details on GSR (Gunshot Residue) testing performed on the Jeep.
- Information about phone records and connections to Alex Cox and Lori Vallow.
- Clarified there was no capability to determine specifics of the shooting trajectory or type of firearm used.
DAY 2 – 6/6/25
- VIDEO: AZ v. Lori Daybell (Brandon Boudreaux Case) – Day 2
- Det. David Frerer cross-examined by Lori Daybell
- Collected bullet fragments from scene
- Didn’t test if bullet came from rifle or handgun
- No full bullet or casing recovered; likely fragmented on impact
- No surveillance footage found during his part of the investigation
- Lynette Mendoza, Neighbor
- Ring camera captured black vehicle passing and possible gunshot sound
- No cross-examination
- Cross-examination of Brandon Boudreaux: Victim, star witness, ex nephew-in-law of pro se defendant Lori Daybell
- WATCH: Lori Daybell Cross-Examines Victim Brandon Boudreaux
- Victim and key witness; ex-nephew-in-law of Lori Daybell, known Lori since 2008 through marriage to her niece Melani.
- Relationship with Melani deteriorated in 2018–2019, culminating in a major argument in June 2019 about Lori, Brandon’s sexuality, and temple recommend issues.
- Melani requested divorce during that argument; divorce filed July 2019 and finalized mid-October 2019, with child custody arrangements discussed.
- On Oct. 2, 2019, dropped kids off, went to gym, later interviewed by Det. Pillar discussing Melani and Lori’s roles.
- Believed Lori influenced Melani to think Brandon was gay; challenged Lori’s claims they never argued but couldn’t recall face-to-face confrontations.
- Described emotional toll of divorce and family breakup beginning June 25, 2019; highlighted Lori’s alleged involvement in marital issues and disputes over temple recommend.
- On shooting day, denied seeing a child at the scene, described cautious driving post-shooting, was visibly shaken, and sought support from friends and family.
- Maintained frequent contact with Det. Pillar, providing extensive documentation including phone records and financial info implicating Melani as beneficiary on life insurance.
- Tesla involved did not record video; witness took photos of damage post-incident but uncertain if shared with others.
- Jeep involved was nearly nose-to-nose with a white van, but witness could not identify the Jeep’s driver or confirm if Alex Cox was inside.
- Witness’s description of Jeep’s color varied; admitted limited knowledge of Alex’s gun habits; currently owns guns but did not at shooting time; Melani owned a registered gun.
- Called 911 after believing he had been shot, wanting to follow the law.
- Court sustained multiple objections on hearsay, relevance, and evidentiary grounds during testimony.
- Proceedings came to a halt when multiple objections were called during Lori’s questioning of Boudreaux
- Judge warned Lori several times about relevance and conduct
- Lori repeatedly spoke over the judge and ignored sustained objections
- Judge ordered Lori removed from courtroom
- Cited her behavior and said she should consult advisory counsel
- After recess, Judge warned Lori again: continued disruptions could result in revocation of her pro per status
- Lori apologized and said she understood
- Tom Olszak tried to extract data from Lori’s Jeep infotainment system in Idaho but couldn’t retrieve user data
- Successfully got call logs and GPS from Alex Cox’s Ford F-150, but no Oct 2, 2019 GPS info.
- Det. Ryan Pillar arrived at shooting scene
- Confirmed bullet hole in Tesla, no shell casing found (likely stayed in vehicle).
- Interviewed Brandon Boudreaux, who named Lori Vallow and Alex Cox as suspects and mentioned a related July 2019 incident.
- Tesla had no video footage from shooting due to lack of storage device.
- Extensive search for bullet fragments and surveillance footage at scene yielded no street video.
- Investigated Lori’s Jeep linked to July 2019 incident; Jeep seen in Arizona 26 hours before shooting missing a rear wheel.
- Jeep seized and processed in Idaho; GSR on Jeep consistent with rifle fired inside; DNA and fingerprints collected.
DAY 1 – 6/5/25
- VIDEO: AZ v. Lori Daybell (Brandon Boudreaux Case) – Day 1
- State’s Opening – Prosecutor Treena J. Kay (Maricopa County)
- Attempted murder plot: Lori Vallow allegedly conspired with her brother Alex Cox to kill Brandon Boudreaux, her niece’s ex-husband.
- Jeep setup: Lori loaned her Jeep to Alex, who tinted windows, removed the backseat, and laid in wait to shoot Brandon.
- Digital trail: Alex searched Brandon’s address, shooting angles, and escape routes; burner phones and Google accounts linked the planning to both Lori and Alex.
- Alibi fabrication: On the morning of the shooting, Lori faked a call between her phone and Alex’s to make it seem he was still in Idaho.
- Gunshot evidence: Brandon’s Tesla was hit just inches from his head; gunshot residue and Alex’s DNA were later found in the Jeep.
- Storage cover-up: After the failed shooting, Lori and Alex put the removed Jeep seat and spare tire in storage and later returned to retrieve them.
- Law enforcement tip: Brandon identified Lori and Alex as possible suspects early on, citing prior conflicts and strange behavior.
- Defense Opening – Lori Vallow Daybell (Pro Se)
- Claims no animosity toward Brandon; says she was close to him and Melani.
- Denies knowledge of or involvement in any shooting; says Alex acted on his own if he acted at all.
- Criticizes Brandon’s credibility, noting inconsistencies in his descriptions and that he hired a P.I. to track her.
- Argues State’s case is based on speculation and innuendo, not evidence.
- Emphasizes burden of proof: “I am innocent until proven guilty.”
- Describes herself as a person of love and peace, implying no motive or malice.
- Brandon Boudreaux — Victim
- Brandon, 40, owns a solar company and lives in Arizona; he was married to Melani from 2008–2019 and shares four children with her.
- Testified that Melani was heavily influenced by her aunt Lori Vallow, whom she saw as a mother figure.
- In mid-2019, Brandon noticed his marriage unraveling as Melani began spending more time with Lori.
- On June 25, 2019, Melani accused Brandon of hacking Lori’s computer and claimed God told her he was gay.
- Brandon texted Lori that night, confronting her about her influence; she never responded.
- Their marriage ended shortly after; they agreed to joint custody and sold their million-dollar home.
- Brandon moved into a new home on Phelps Street in late September 2019 — only Melani knew the address.
- On the morning of October 2, after dropping his kids off and going to the gym, Brandon drove home.
- He noticed a suspicious Jeep with Texas plates awkwardly parked near his driveway.
- As he coasted toward his house, he saw the Jeep’s back window pop open, spotted a muzzle, and heard a gunshot.
- Brandon’s Tesla window shattered — he accelerated away and called 911.
- He believes the shooting was a targeted attempt on his life.
- Stayed on the phone with 911 during the shooting.
- Estimated the Jeep was 10–20 feet away when the shot was fired.
- Thought it might be a paintball at first — didn’t realize it was a real bullet.
- Officer later pointed out the bullet hole inches from his head; he said he felt like someone tried to kill him.
- Told police he suspected Lori Vallow and Alex Cox immediately.
- Said only Melani (his wife at the time) knew his new address.
- Later learned she moved next door to Lori in Rexburg, Idaho.
- Robert Abbatomarco — Neighbor
- Saw Jeep idling, tinted windows, Texas plate
- Parked oddly near Brandon’s van, no one visible
- Sgt. McDermott — Gilbert PD
- Bullet hole in Tesla matched Brandon’s story
- No video or exact Jeep placement confirmed
- Found fragment, no testing done
- Linked Jeep to Lori Vallow in Idaho
- Rogue from Lori to Colby Ryan searched. Idaho receipts found
- Alex Cox’s truck searched; practice bullet, earplugs inside
- Said Tesla damage was clearly from a bullet
- Det. Frerer — Gilbert PD
- Processed scene, confirmed bullet hole
- No casing found despite search
- No tests done to ID type of gun
- F-150 search showed signs of gun use
