VALLOW DAYBELL CASE

Police: Charles Vallow planned to expose his wife’s affair

Oct 7, 2021, 8:16 PM | Updated: Apr 3, 2023, 5:56 pm

(Lori Vallow, speaking with investigators in Chandler, AZ, after the shooting death of her husband....

(Lori Vallow, speaking with investigators in Chandler, AZ, after the shooting death of her husband. Photo: screen grab of video provided by Chandler PD)

(Lori Vallow, speaking with investigators in Chandler, AZ, after the shooting death of her husband. Photo: screen grab of video provided by Chandler PD)

CHANDLER, Ariz — Was Charles Vallow going to expose the affair between his wife, Lori Vallow-Daybell and Chad Daybell, before he was killed in Arizona?  Recently released documents say Vallow had already reached out to others about the infidelity. 

Investigators say Charles Vallow and Lori Vallow-Daybell sent angry text messages to each other, with Vallow saying he knew about the affair she was having with Chad Daybell.  He pointed to an email that was sent to Daybell under his name, asking Daybell to come to Arizona and ghost write a book.  However, Vallow stated he never wrote that email.

(Responses are copied exactly how they appeared in police records, and spelling mistakes were not corrected.)

“Than you tell me why you used my name and fictitious email To send a BS email about a book I am having him ghost write for me. It’s fraud and a lie. There’s no other reason for it other than to get him to AZ and have an excuse for his wife. You did this. I had nothing to do with it and you know it. Also he did NOT stay with us in November. I will find out.”

Vallow reaches out to both Daybells

By late June 2019, Vallow sent a message to Chad Daybell’s previous wife, Tammy, saying he wanted to tell her about the affair.  It reads…

“Tammy My name is Charles Vallow. I have some vital and disturbing information regarding your husband and my wife, Lori. This is your work email so I’ll wait to send you the ‘evidence’ that is very disturbing. You may call or email me from the address where you can receive the information. I apologize to be the one sending this but something has to be done. I feel it’s best if I shed some light on the ‘issue.’”

Later that day, Vallow sent an email to Chad Daybell, saying he knew about the infidelity. 

A plot to expose the affair

Vallow communicated with his wife’s estranged brother, Adam Cox, and the two decided to record their conversations with her on their phones. In hopes she would admit to having an affair.  Vallow planned on taking that recording to religious leaders.

On July 11th of that year, Vallow arrived at his wife’s rental home to see their son, JJ.  However, she reportedly took his cell phone from the counter and demanded to see what was on it.  She told officers that infuriated Vallow.

Vallow-Daybell said, “He was, like, ‘Give me my phone,’ and I was like, ‘Why don’t you show me your texts that you have been texting?’”

The two reportedly argued, with him screaming at her to give the phone back.  She told investigators she refused to do that.

“I was just holding it there and he was screaming at me.  I was, kind of, walking around the house so he couldn’t get it and he was reaching for it,” she said.  “It was, like, is something on his phone that he does not want me to see that he was, like, freaking out?”

During the interview, Vallow-Daybell told investigators she discovered her husband and her estranged brother were talking to each other.

She said, “I was like, ‘Why are you texting Adam?  Do you even talk to him?’”

Charles Vallow shot by brother-in-law

Vallow-Daybell told police she believed her husband would use a baseball bat to get the phone out of her hands.  Her brother, Alex Cox, told police he shot Vallow in self-defense.

After the shooting, police say Vallow-Daybell and Daybell appeared to be having trouble in their relationship.  On August 11, 2019, she sent Daybell a message, saying…

“U should give all of you love and your attention to your wife and family. I’m just a distraction. Go have fun with your family. I really do want you to. I just can’t be in the way anymore. If things change we can talk. But we have nothing until things change anyway”.

Tammy Daybell died on October 19, 2019.

Read more:

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Vallow Daybell Case

Demolition workers watching the Daybell home being torn down. (KSL TV)...

Garna Mejia, KSLTV.com

Volunteers talk about demolishing Chad Daybell home, make way for memorial space

The former home of Chad Daybell, the man sentenced to death in the murders of his wife and two step-children, was demolished Friday.

5 months ago

burial site excavation shown, the vallow daybell trial revealed some involvement by alex cox...

Garna Mejia, KSL TV

Daybell home purchased by nonprofit with plans to demolish it, create healing space

The Idaho home once owned by Chad Daybell is under new ownership. A couple in Idaho bought the home and started a nonprofit.

5 months ago

Jurors are speaking publicly for the first time about their decision to give Chad Daybell the death...

Simone Seikaly and Becky Bruce

In appeal, Chad Daybell asks Idaho Supreme Court to review verdict, sentence

An attorney for Chad Daybell has filed an appeal asking the state supreme court to evaluate Daybell's trial and verdict.

8 months ago

Jurors are speaking publicly for the first time about their decision to give Chad Daybell the death...

Andrew Adams, KSLTV.com

Daybell jurors speak publicly about death penalty decision

One of the alternate jurors in the Chad Daybell case said the roughest day was when they heard impact statements from family.

8 months ago

Chad Daybell during his murder trial , he could face the death penalty...

Sam Herrera and Kennedy Camarena

Jury sentences Chad Daybell to death

The decision comes two days after the jury convicted Daybell for the murders of Tylee Ryan, JJ Vallow and Tammy Daybell.

8 months ago

chad daybell...

Sam Herrera

Jury deliberations for Chad Daybell death penalty decision begin

An Idaho jury convicted Chad Daybell of three murders on Thursday. He now awaits sentencing and could face the death penalty.

9 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Police: Charles Vallow planned to expose his wife’s affair