Children of Darkness and Light: Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell and the Story of a Murderous Faith

Doomsday preppers and members of the Mormon church, Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell met at an event that would prepare them for the end times. Believing that the return of Jesus Christ would happen at any moment, and that they would lead 144,000 people to paradise, the two began a relationship that they believed transcended time and eternity, and that led them to commit heinous acts. The former beauty queen and her fifth husband were accused of several murders between them, including the 2019 killing of Vallow’s children, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and seven-year-old JJ Vallow. Covering a case that rocked the nation, Hellis, who has been both a prosecutor and a public defender, delves deep into the Mormon church, its beliefs, and the offshoots that produced the beliefs of Vallow and Daybell, to help listeners better understand, as far as that’s possible, how the murders happened. Aimee Reid narrates this grim and twisted crime, presenting the history of the church, the various murders, and related facts with straightforwardness when called for and tenderness when needed. Reid’s narration provides a sense of humanity to the story, though little sympathy for the murderers. This well-researched look into murders that shook not only Idaho but the nation will lead listeners to appreciate the author’s look at how these beliefs happen and to feel outrage that they did.