PHOENIX — Lori Daybell was sentenced to two life terms in prison on Friday for her role in conspiring to murder her estranged husband and her niece's ex-husband. The sentencing took place in Maricopa County, Arizona, where Daybell was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in separate trials earlier this spring.

Daybell, 51, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years for each conviction, with the sentences to be served consecutively. Judge Justin Beresky, who presided over both trials, emphasized the need for a lengthy sentence, stating, "In the face of such profound damage, a long prison sentence is not merely a punishment, it is a necessary affirmation that our society values justice, protection and the sanctity of human life."

Known as the "doomsday mom," Daybell is already serving a life sentence after being convicted in 2023 of murdering her two children. Prosecutors in that case argued that she and her current husband, Chad Daybell, believed the children were possessed and killed them in 2019. They also accused her of stealing Social Security benefits intended for her children after they went missing.

In the Arizona trials, prosecutors claimed Daybell conspired with her late brother, Alex Cox, to kill her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, to access his $1 million life insurance policy. They alleged that Daybell and Cox believed Vallow was possessed by an evil spirit, which they referred to as "Ned."

During the first trial, Daybell contended that Cox shot Vallow in self-defense in July 2019 at her home in Chandler, Arizona. In a second trial, she was found guilty of plotting with Cox to kill Brandon Boudreaux, her niece's ex-husband, who survived a drive-by shooting in October 2019.

Boudreaux reported the shooting to authorities, expressing ongoing fear for his life. Cox died from natural causes in December 2019.

Daybell represented herself in both trials and did not testify or call witnesses. In her closing statement, she described her family's situation as a tragedy and denied any wrongdoing. However, Maricopa County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Treena Kay refuted her claims, stating, "A family tragedy does not involve the intentional killing of a person."

Kay argued that Daybell's motives were rooted in financial gain and personal relationships, asserting that the deaths of Vallow and Boudreaux would have benefited her financially.

In her remarks before sentencing, Daybell maintained her innocence, expressing empathy for the victims' families. "If I was accountable for these crimes, I would acknowledge it," she said. Judge Beresky countered her claims of unfair treatment during the trials, stating, "When she says that she couldn’t get a fair trial in Maricopa County, that is not the truth."

Daybell's sentencing follows her unsuccessful attempts to secure new trials and to have Judge Beresky removed from her case, citing bias. She often clashed with the judge during the proceedings, leading to her removal from the courtroom at times.

Both Lori and Chad Daybell were previously convicted of first-degree murder for the deaths of her children, Joshua "J.J." Vallow and Tylee Ryan, whose remains were discovered in June 2020 on property owned by Chad Daybell in Idaho. Chad Daybell was sentenced to death for his role in the murders, while Lori Daybell is serving life without parole.

During the sentencing hearing, several family members of the victims delivered emotional statements. Colby Ryan, Daybell's eldest son, described the profound impact of the losses on his life, stating, "Each one of my family members was taken from us all in one swoop."

Ryan characterized his mother as the true tragedy of the family, saying, "Quite frankly, I believe that Lori Vallow herself is the family tragedy."

Kay Woodcock, the sister of Charles Vallow, expressed her grief, stating, "My brother’s death was a deliberate act of evil and self-seeking financial gain. Your greed has caused so much pain to this day." Her husband, Larry Woodcock, expressed his anger, labeling Daybell a "narcissist, psychopath, delusional murderer."

The court proceedings concluded with the judge reiterating the need for justice and the impact of Daybell's actions on multiple families.