What Happened to Alex Cox? What Was His Cause of Death?
by Reshwanth A | Updated Apr 28, 2023
Who Was Alex Cox?
Alex Cox, the older brother of Lori Vallow, made headlines in 2019 when he shot and killed Lori's fourth husband, Charles Vallow. Cox claimed that he acted in self-defense and to protect his sister and niece, Tylee. However, Cox had a history of violent altercations with Lori's former husbands, including an attack on Tylee's father, Joseph Ryan Jr., for which he received a prison sentence.
After Charles Vallow's death, Cox's brother Adam warned detectives about a pattern of violence, and in 2021, the shooting was ruled a homicide. Cox was never charged in connection with the killing, as he passed away a few months later due to natural causes. Cox was also the last person seen with Tylee before her disappearance in September 2019.
A forensic examination of his cellphone revealed that he was on the property of Chad Daybell, Lori's fifth husband, on dates that corresponded with the last times Tylee and her brother JJ were seen alive. Both Tylee and JJ's remains were found at the Daybell home in 2020.
What Happened to Alex Cox?
In September 2021, it was reported that the shooting of Charles Vallow by Alex Cox was ruled a homicide, more than two years after the incident occurred. Despite this ruling, Cox was never charged in connection with Vallow's death, as he died a few months after the shooting in December 2019 from natural causes, as determined by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office.
However, Cox's name is included in the indictment of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell as a co-conspirator in the deaths of Tylee, JJ, and Tammy Daybell. Lori Vallow is currently facing a charge of conspiracy to kill Charles Vallow. Recently, in October 2021, a 2020 phone call was released in which Alex Cox's ex-wife, Debbie, alleged that he had a sexual relationship with his sister.
According to the report, Debbie claimed that Cox regularly discussed his sister's attractiveness and that the two engaged in "inappropriate sexual touching." She came forward with this information after hearing that the bodies of Tylee and JJ had been discovered. Lori Vallow has not commented on the allegations surrounding her relationship with her brother. It is a complex and ongoing legal case with numerous intertwined and disturbing allegations.
What Was Alex Cox Cause of Death?
According to investigators, Alex Cox played a significant role in the deaths of Charles Vallow, Tylee, JJ, and Chad Daybell's former wife, Tammy. Cox is also listed as a co-conspirator in the indictment against Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell. It is believed that Cox's relationship with Lori and his devotion to her extremist beliefs may have played a part in his involvement in these tragic events.
His death, which was determined to be due to natural causes, left many unanswered questions. Cox's brother, Adam, has expressed his struggle to comprehend the situation, stating that he had always known Alex to be a protective brother who would do anything for his family. Adam has also been vocal about his concerns regarding Lori's beliefs and her influence on his family.
Alex Cox Lori Vallow Relationship
Alex Cox was the older brother of Lori Vallow Daybell, who is facing charges of murder in the deaths of her children JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan. In July 2019, Cox fatally shot Lori's fourth husband, Charles Vallow, claiming self-defense. However, the shooting was later ruled a homicide. Cox had a history of violent behavior, including an aggravated assault charge against Tylee's father, Joseph Ryan, for which he served 90 days in jail. Cox and Lori were reportedly very close, and there have been allegations of an inappropriate relationship between the siblings from Cox's ex-wife, identified only as "Debbie."
Alex Cox Murder
No, Alex Cox was not Murdered. He died on December 12, 2019, due to natural causes. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office report revealed that his death was caused by blood clots and high blood pressure. Although Cox was involved in several violent incidents, including the shooting of Charles Vallow, he was never charged in connection to his death due to his own passing.
The investigation into the deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan continues, with Lori Vallow Daybell currently facing murder charges in their deaths, as well as conspiracy charges related to the deaths of her former husband, Charles Vallow, and Chad Daybell's former wife, Tammy Daybell.
Is Alex Cox Still Alive?
Alex Cox passed away on December 12, 2019, due to natural causes confirmed by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. Though he was never charged in connection to the death of Charles Vallow, he is listed as a co-conspirator in the Vallow-Daybell indictment and his involvement in the deaths of Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow is still being investigated.
There is no evidence of foul play in relation to Cox's death, and it is considered to have resulted from blood clots and high blood pressure. A medical examiner ruled in May 2020 that Cox's cause of death was bilateral pulmonary thromboemboli and was natural.
Alex Cox Wife
Zulema Pastenes, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), met Lori Vallow through the institution in Arizona and quickly became friends. Pastenes joined Vallow's religious apocalyptic group with Chad Daybell, where she eventually met Vallow's brother, Alex Cox, who was presented as a potential partner.
At the time, Pastenes had already received a "blessing" from Chad, indicating that she would "get married again," which made her receptive to the idea presented by Chad and Lori. Zulema Pastenes shared in a docuseries that Lori and Chad were always looking for someone who was spiritually equal to them. In the pursuit of finding a partner for Zulema, they introduced her to Lori's brother Alex.
Zulema received a "blessing" from Chad that she would remarry and eventually felt a connection with Alex. She explained that Alex would help her with her mission and decided to marry him after praying about it. Zulema and Alex got married on November 29, 2019, in Las Vegas, and he took her last name.
What happened to Alex Cox - FAQs
Alex Cox was the late brother of Lori Vallow Daybell. He is believed to have played a role in the deaths of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan.
Alex Cox died on December 12, 2019, from natural causes related to blood clots and high blood pressure.
No, Alex Cox was never charged in connection with their deaths, but he is listed as a co-conspirator in the Vallow-Daybell indictment.
Yes, he was charged with an aggravated assault against Tylee Ryan's father and spent 90 days in jail. He also fatally shot Lori Vallow's fourth husband, Charles Vallow, in what he claimed was an act of self-defense, but it was later ruled a homicide.