Last Podcast on the Left – Episode 611: Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell - The Doomsday Murders Part III - Zombie Apocalypse

Host/Authors: The Last Podcast Network
Release Date: March 8, 2025
Description: This episode delves into the chilling saga of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell, exploring their descent into a doomsday cult, the sinister murders they committed, and the bizarre belief system that fueled their actions.

1. Introduction to Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell ([04:18] - [07:16])

The episode opens with hosts Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski, and Ben Kissel introducing the third part of the Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell case. They recap how Lori, a fervent follower of Chad Daybell, met him at a Preparing a People (PAP) conference in Utah. Their initial meeting was electric, described humorously as a “lightning strike” that solidified their shared apocalyptic beliefs.

Notable Quote:
Marcus Parks: "It was like a lightning strike hitting both of them, electrifying their shared beliefs and awakening their Mormon loins of desire." ([06:42])

2. Formation of a Doomed Partnership ([07:16] - [14:17])

After their meeting, Chad and Lori began a daily exchange of texts, deepening their connection. Lori immersed herself further into Chad’s teachings, spending up to eight hours a day at her local LDS temple and consuming apocalyptic podcasts. This intense indoctrination led Lori to believe she had transcended human needs.

Notable Quote:
Henry Zebrowski: "She started claiming that she had transcended beyond human needs like eating, sleeping, urinating, or defecating." ([09:33])

The hosts mockingly discuss the absurdity of Lori’s claims, highlighting the extreme shift in her behavior and beliefs.

3. Escalation of Their Cult Beliefs ([14:17] - [27:00])

Chad and Lori developed a complex belief system involving reincarnation, light and dark contracts with spiritual entities, and the existence of “zombie slugs”—demonic spirits possessing individuals. They convinced themselves they were reincarnations of significant religious figures, justifying their actions to commit murder as necessary for the greater good.

Notable Quote:
Marcus Parks: "Chad convinced himself and Lori that they'd been married seven times in their past lives, going all the way back to the times of Jesus Christ. So since Chad and Lori were already sealed in a kind of spiritual polygamy, they weren't committing adultery at all." ([15:01])

4. The Plan to Remove Charles Vallow ([27:00] - [51:43])

Chad and Lori’s delusional belief system drove them to target Charles Vallow, Lori’s husband, and others they deemed as “zombies.” They manipulated financial aspects, such as transferring funds from joint accounts to isolate Charles financially. Lori’s calculated actions included stealing Charles’s truck and changing household locks to exert control.

Notable Quote:
Marcus Parks: "Chad and Lori were so high, they decided that people with extremely high vibrations didn't have to follow the strict teachings of the LDS Church. So they therefore freed themselves to make their own rules." ([33:20])

Their interactions with authorities were marked by manipulation and strategic deception, ensuring their heinous plans remained undetected initially.

5. The Murder of Charles Vallow ([51:43] - [89:00])

On January 29, 2019, while Charles was on a business trip, Lori executed her plan to eliminate him. She isolated him by draining his finances and severing communication channels, effectively leaving him vulnerable. When Charles returned, he attempted to intervene, leading to a confrontation with Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, who murdered Charles. The autopsy revealed inconsistencies, indicating premeditation rather than self-defense.

Notable Quote:
Marcus Parks: "The autopsy, however, told a different story. First shot, that's plausible. But the second showed that Alex had definitely finished the job after Charles was already on the ground." ([36:56])

The hosts highlight the police’s inadequate response, emphasizing how Lori’s charm and calculated demeanor allowed her to evade suspicion despite overwhelming evidence.

6. Psychological Manipulation and Cult Dynamics ([89:00] - [117:00])

Post-murder, Lori continued to manipulate those around her, including her children and extended family. She portrayed herself as a victim of an unhinged husband while simultaneously deepening her involvement in Chad’s cult. Her children, particularly JJ, who had disabilities, were further victimized, becoming targets within their twisted belief system.

Notable Quote:
Henry Zebrowski: "Lori Valow knew how to manipulate authority figures. She knows very well." ([91:49])

The podcast discusses how Chad and Lori created a self-sustaining cult environment, using fear, religious justifications, and psychological manipulation to maintain control over their followers.

7. Confrontation and Conclusion ([117:00] - [140:57])

As law enforcement began piecing together the timeline and motives, Chad and Lori’s web of deceit unraveled. Their extreme actions, fueled by apocalyptic delusions, culminated in multiple murders aimed at securing their envisioned new Jerusalem in Rexburg, Idaho. The hosts critique the failure of authorities to recognize and intervene in such cult dynamics promptly.

Notable Quote:
Marcus Parks: "Chad and Lori were so high, they decided that people with extremely high vibrations didn't have to follow the strict teachings of the LDS Church. So they therefore freed themselves to make their own rules. They cannot help themselves... everyone who will eventually flip on them was very much a part of this LARP before people started dying." ([08:04], [33:52])

The episode concludes with reflections on the tragic consequences of unchecked fanaticism and the importance of recognizing and addressing cult-like behaviors within communities.

Final Quote:
Henry Zebrowski: "If you even for a second think for a second that Lori Valow could be innocent, I ask you to go and listen to the prison phone calls between Lori Valow and her sister and Lori Valow and Colby Ryan and you will hear who the real Lori Valow is. And you must know that this woman is a stone-cold psychopath." ([142:17])

Conclusion

Episode 611 of The Last Podcast on the Left offers a harrowing exploration of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell’s descent into a doomsday cult, culminating in a series of brutal murders. Through a blend of investigative discussion and dark humor, the hosts shed light on the psychological and religious factors that enabled these individuals to commit heinous acts, while critiquing the societal and law enforcement failures that allowed their atrocities to unfold.

Note: This summary excludes all advertisement segments and non-content sections, focusing solely on the narrative and discussions pertinent to the case of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell.