Nate Eaton and Eric Grossarth breakdown new bizarre Daybell documents

CHANDLER, Arizona — Disturbing new details and text messages released Thursday indicate the killing of Charles Vallow was planned and reveal more about Lori Vallow Daybell’s extreme religious beliefs.

Arizona investigators say a series of crimes that surrounded the July 11, 2019, shooting death of Vallow was not a “coincidence or justifiable.” Local and federal investigations have also uncovered more information surrounding the deaths of Lori’s two children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, as well as the death of Tammy Daybell, the wife of Lori’s fifth husband, Chad Daybell.

The planning of Vallow’s death

Detectives say the first time evidence pointed at harm towards Vallow surfaced on Nov. 3, 2018. According to police, text messages between Lori and the now-widow of her brother Alex Cox were uncovered after seizing a phone when Cox died. The name of widow and friend of Lori is redacted in court documents. However, it is known Cox was married to a woman named Zulema Pastenes at the time of her death.

Police say that on Nov. 3, 2018, a person texted Lori saying “she was told by God that she is to protect” her. Then in January 2019, a person told Lori, “She had a vision that she could create storms and fire and will have the eye of the Lord.” A month later, Lori texted a person saying Charles was blocking her gifts. A redacted portion of the conversation that refers to causing harm to Vallow follows. In the conversations, Vallow is referred to as a dark spirit called “Hiplos” or “Ned.”

Investigators say Lori believed she was an exalted goddess directed to lead the 144,000 with Chad to prepare for the end of the world. Both Chad and Lori believe they had “extraordinary abilities,” including teleportation, causing harm to others, calling up natural disasters, praying away demonic spirits and having visions.

On June 3, 2019, Lori texted a person saying, “Just got home and got jj to sleep. Let’s go spiritually tonight and work on him. We give the timing to the Lord but we don’t need to relent. This is war.” Then on June 19, 2019, a person texts Lori saying, “Oh and can you meet me at the temple in the morning? I have time tomorrow and we can work on Hiplos.”

Also, in June, investigators say Lori searched the internet for Social Security disability information. Police theorize that because of a message sent to Chad, Lori determined she would receive $4,000 a month in Social Security benefits if Vallow died.

More redacted messages follow, but this time Cox joins in the conversation. In the weeks leading up to Vallow’s death, the unnamed friend, Cox and Chad all converse about Vallow, referring to him as “Hiplos.”

“There is no obvious communication found between Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell to show that he was directly involved with the planning of Charles Vallow’s murder,” police wrote in the document.

Just two days before Vallow was shot and killed, Lori discovered a planned “intervention” from Vallow and her other brother. Vallow had asked Lori to come clean about her relationship with Chad, or he would tell Tammy Daybell of their relationship.

The day Charles Vallow was killed

Around 7:35 a.m. on July 11, 2019, Vallow arrived at Lori’s home to pick up JJ. Vallow texted a person whose name has been redacted that Cox was there, and the person responded that Lori and Cox were planning something. Soon after, Vallow was shot and killed.

Investigators began their homicide investigation and interviewed “all pertinent parties.” During the investigation, police say there was concern about a bullet strike on the ground near Vallow’s body. Investigators were also concerned about the timeline of events.

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