Who was JJ Vallow Biological Parents? What Happened to Them?
by Mathelene
Updated May 13, 2023
Who was JJ Vallow Biological Parents?
JJ Vallow's biological parents are Todd Trahan and Mandy Leger. They made the difficult decision to give JJ up for adoption when he was approximately one year old due to the challenges associated with addiction. In 2013, Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Guy Daybell became JJ's adoptive parents, welcoming him into their family and providing him with a new home.
JJ Vallow, an American child from Rexburg, Idaho, along with his sister Tylee Ryan, went missing in September 2019. Their disappearances raised concerns among relatives who hadn't heard from the children in weeks and noticed several suspicious incidents. Tylee Ryan was last seen alive in Yellowstone National Park on September 8, 2019, while JJ was last seen alive on September 23, 2019, at Rexburg's Kennedy Elementary School.
JJ was only seven years old at the time. As a part of the investigation into the children's whereabouts and welfare, police questioned Lori Vallow Daybell, JJ's adoptive mother, in November 2019. After that, Lori was detained in Kauai, Hawaii, where she was accused of abandoning and failing to provide for her dependent children.
It is a heartbreaking case that garnered significant media attention, and the subsequent discoveries of the remains of JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan in June 2020 brought further tragedy to light. The investigation into their deaths and the circumstances surrounding the case continues to unfold, with ongoing legal proceedings and potential developments that may provide more information about the events that transpired.
What Happened to JJ Vallow?
JJ Vallow was the adoptive son of Lori Vallow Daybell, who has been found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder in his death, along with the death of her daughter Tylee Ryan and her husband's first wife, Tammy Daybell. JJ Vallow's body was discovered buried on Chad Daybell's property in June 2020, nearly nine months after he was last seen.
The remains of Tylee Ryan were also found on the property. The case gained national attention due to the strange religious beliefs of Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell, as well as the mysterious circumstances surrounding the deaths of the children and Tammy Daybell.
Lori Vallow Verdict
Lori Vallow Daybell, aged 49, has been found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of her children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, as well as the death of her husband's first wife, Tammy Daybell. She was also found guilty of theft charges for stealing Social Security payments meant for the children. The judge, Steven Boyce, stated that her sentencing would take place in approximately three months.
While she could face life in prison, the death penalty had been removed as an option prior to the trial. Lori's husband, Chad Daybell, has also been charged in connection with the case and will face a separate trial at a later date. He has pleaded not guilty. During the trial, Lori Vallow Daybell showed no emotion upon hearing the verdict, although sources indicate that she was upset with her attorneys for attempting to shift blame onto her husband in their closing arguments.
The victims' relatives reacted with tears, relief, and support for the verdict. JJ Vallow's grandparents, Kay and Larry Woodcock attended much of the trial and were greeted by cheers from supporters as they left the courthouse. Larry Woodcock, visibly emotional, expressed gratitude "Even the defense, I shook their hands. I have said many times, I want a fair, honest, and righteous decision.
I think we had 18 jurors that all deserve our appreciation, our love, and they gave an honest, fair, and righteous verdict," he said. When asked about his final message to Lori, he started to sing a Willie Nelson song: "Turn out the lights, the party's over they say that all good things must end." "Lori, it ended," he said. "JJ, I love you. Papa wished you were here in other circumstances.
Tylee, Papa loves you. Tammy, I never met you. Tammy, you are part of our life Tammy, I am sorry. My heart hurts for you. My heart hurts for you three," he said. Prosecutors built their case against Lori Vallow Daybell by calling numerous witnesses, alleging that her actions were driven by motives of money, power, and sex, within the context of the accused couple's increasingly fringe religious beliefs.
The defense chose not to present any witnesses, and Lori herself did not testify. In addition, Lori Vallow Daybell is charged separately with murder conspiracy in connection with the passing of her husband Charles Vallow in Arizona in July 2019. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office has indicated its intent to prosecute her in Arizona once the Idaho proceedings conclude. Extradition proceedings will commence after her sentencing in Idaho, which may take several weeks to several months.
What Happened to Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell?
Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow, both members of the LDS community, crossed paths in 2018 when they were introduced by a mutual friend named Melanie Gibb at a gathering focused on preparing for the Second Coming of Christ. Over time, Lori Vallow's beliefs began to align with Chad Daybell's, and they both came to believe that there were zombies among their close family and friends and that an apocalypse was imminent.
Their relationship grew closer, but none of their friends could have foreseen the tragic events that would unfold. Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow found themselves accused of first-degree murder in relation to the deaths of Tylee Ryan, aged 16, and JJ Vallow, aged 7.
Chad Daybell is also accused of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Tammy, aged 49. Both Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow have pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against them. The case surrounding their alleged crimes has drawn significant attention and continues to be a matter of legal proceedings.
How Did Lori Vallow Kill Tylee and JJ?
During the trial of Lori Vallow Daybell, a forensic pathologist named Dr. Garth Warren testified that JJ Vallow died of asphyxia. According to Dr. Warren, a plastic bag was placed over JJ's head, and duct tape was used to cover his mouth. Duct tape was also found bound around his forearms, hands, and ankles. The cause of death was determined to be asphyxia caused by these factors.
Dr. Warren further described the condition of JJ's body during the autopsy, mentioning the presence of a white plastic bag and the use of duct tape. After completing the autopsy, clothing, duct tape, plastic bag, hair, and teeth were handed over to law enforcement as evidence. In regards to Tylee Ryan, JJ's sister, Dr. Warren stated that her cause of death was determined to be a homicide, although the specific means were not specified.
Tylee's remains were severely charred and destroyed when they were delivered for examination, making it difficult to gather evidence. Dr. Warren mentioned that no bullets or knife fragments were found, only a collection of bones covered in mud and dirt. Tests conducted during the autopsy indicated that there was no evidence to support the theory that Tylee was alive when her body was burned.
The bodies of JJ and Tylee were discovered on June 9, 2020, in the backyard of Chad Daybell's rural Idaho home. This testimony from Dr. Warren took place during the third week of the eight-week trial of Lori Vallow Daybell, which is being held in St. Anthony, Idaho. Both Lori Vallow Daybell and her husband, Chad Daybell, are accused of conspiring together to kill JJ, Tylee, and Chad Daybell's late wife, Tammy Daybell.
When is Chad Daybell Trial Starting?
Chad Daybell is currently awaiting trial at Fremont County Prison in Idaho, while his wife, Lori Vallow Daybell, is on trial for the murder of their two children, J.J. Vallow and Tylee Ryan. The children were discovered dead on Chad Daybell's property on June 9, 2020, several months after they went missing while under their mother's care.
In addition to the charges related to the children's murders, both Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell are also accused of killing Chad's ex-wife, Tammy Daybell, who passed away in October 2019 under suspicious circumstances. While Lori Vallow's trial has already begun, Chad Daybell, who has pleaded not guilty, is expected to stand trial seven months later.
The decision to separate the cases was made upon Chad Daybell's request by an eastern Idaho judge. According to Deseret News, Chad Daybell is currently awaiting his trial at Fremont County Prison in Idaho.
Who was JJ Vallow Biological Parents - FAQs
JJ Vallow's biological parents are Todd Trahan and Mandy Leger.
Lori Vallow Daybell's sentencing is expected to take place in approximately three months.
According to testimony from a forensic pathologist, JJ Vallow died of asphyxia caused by a plastic bag placed over his head and duct tape covering his mouth. Duct tape was also found bound around his forearms, hands, and ankles. The cause of Tylee Ryan's death was determined to be homicide, but the specific means were not specified due to the severe condition of her remains.