Today, Lori Vallow Daybell’s trial ignites over the shocking death of her ex-husband.

Jury selection kicked off on Monday in a Phoenix courtroom, where the fate of Lori Vallow Daybell hangs in the balance. The 50-year-old mother, known widely as the “Doomsday Mom,” faces a serious charge: conspiracy to commit murder in the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow. Authorities allege that her actions—linked to a series of harrowing events involving her children—have buried a narrative steeped in tragedy and turmoil beneath a cloud of bizarre beliefs.

Vallow Daybell, who has pleaded not guilty, is taking the unusual step of representing herself in court, a move that has already sparked concerns regarding the complexity of the trial and its potential for chaos. Expecting opening statements in early April, the trial will occur against a backdrop of shocking accusations, revelations, and a string of intertwined legal battles.

The drama surrounding Vallow Daybell escalated in 2019 when her children, Tylee Ryan and Joshua “JJ” Vallow, vanished without a trace just weeks apart. JJ, a sweet child with autism, disappeared in September, while Tylee, a teenager on the brink of adulthood, vanished shortly thereafter. The heart-wrenching suspicion surrounding their absence deepened when authorities found Charles Vallow shot dead in July 2019 by Lori’s brother, Alex Cox. That fateful encounter occurred at the home in Chandler, Arizona, where Lori was living with Cox and her children. “She threatened me, murder me, kill me,” Charles reportedly warned police, expressing grave concerns about his wife’s unstable mental state and her increasingly apocalyptic beliefs.

In the whirlwind of escalating threats and sinister turn of events, Charles filed for divorce in February 2019, fearing for the safety of their two kids. Just months later, Cox shot him, claiming self-defense. He was never arrested, a fact that has left many wondering how such a tragic situation spiraled beyond the control of law enforcement.

Adding layers to the complexities, Lori’s relationship with Chad Daybell, a doomsday author who espoused extreme beliefs, has drawn significant attention. The couple married shortly after the disappearance of Lori’s children and the death of Chad’s first wife, Tammy Daybell, whose remains were exhumed in December 2019. An autopsy later revealed that Tammy’s death was due to asphyxiation—an alarming twist that implicated Vallow Daybell even further. Reports suggest that prosecutors contend the couple’s shared apocalyptic beliefs fueled their justifications for the shocking events.

While caretaking for her children and grappling with the weight of their perceived threats, Lori seemingly engaged in a lethal partnership with Chad. Statements made during the trial have introduced horrifying concepts of divine missions, where Lori once expressed to a friend that she believed Charles was already dead and perceived as inhabited by a demon.

In June 2020, the search for Tylee and JJ reached a grim conclusion when their bodies were discovered in a shallow grave on property owned by Chad Daybell. The stark reality of their deaths propelled Lori’s journey through the criminal justice system, where she has faced multiple murder charges and conspiracy counts. She was previously sentenced to life in prison for her children’s murders, while Daybell was found guilty and sentenced to death.

Aside from the murder charges, the legal labyrinth continues as Vallow Daybell confronts allegations regarding an attempted shooting of her niece’s ex-husband. During discussions of these incidents, she has maintained her innocence, labeling the prosecution’s narrative as a misrepresentation fueled by a rush to judgment.

Currently, as she prepares for her trial, concerns loom over whether her decision to act as her own legal counsel could lead to complications in jury selection. Her assertion of studying case law behind bars and claiming prior courtroom experiences as an asset only add another layer of unpredictability. In a recent court hearing, she expressed her struggle with evidence collection and communication with her legal team while detained—a testimony that raises questions about her capacity to defend herself effectively.

As the trial unfolds, the public is left with a gripping narrative that not only touches on extreme legal matters but also reflects on profound psychological struggles and societal fears. With the trial expected to draw significant media attention, all eyes will be on Lori Vallow Daybell as the courtroom drama reveals the haunting details surrounding this chilling saga. The once-cherished roles of mother and wife have transformed into a convoluted story of loss and betrayal, leaving the families of JJ and Tylee to grapple with the heartache of their absence. As each legal maneuver unfolds in the coming weeks, the echo of the past lingers—demanding justice for the innocent lives that were forever altered in the wake of Lori Vallow Daybell’s stormy descent into darkness.