Cult mom's murder plot survivor tells his story in new book

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 12:09 · Archive

Brandon Boudreaux survived a 2019 shooting he says was orchestrated by convicted 'cult mom' Lori Vallow Daybell.

Brandon Boudreaux survived a shooting outside his Arizona home on 2 October 2019 when a gunman opened fire as he pulled his Tesla into his driveway in Gilbert. A bullet struck his driver's-side door, shattering the window and missing his head by inches. He saw the rear window of a parked Jeep Wrangler open moments before the shooter fired.

Prosecutors said Lori Vallow Daybell, known as the 'cult mom', recruited her brother Alex Cox to kill Boudreaux during a contentious divorce between Boudreaux and Vallow's niece, Melani Pawlowski. Police identified Cox as the suspected shooter shortly after the attack, but he died in December 2019 without facing charges. An Arizona jury convicted Vallow in June 2025 of conspiring to murder Boudreaux.

Vallow has faced multiple convictions. Two months before the Boudreaux verdict, another jury convicted her of conspiring to murder her estranged husband Charles Vallow, whom Cox shot and killed in July 2019. A 2023 Idaho trial found her guilty of murdering her two children, Tylee Ryan and Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, and conspiring to murder Tammy Daybell, the former wife of her husband Chad Daybell. She was also convicted of grand theft for collecting her children's Social Security benefits.

Boudreaux is now telling his story in a new book, 'Unthinkable', which he initially wrote privately for his four children to help them understand the ordeal and his decisions.

How it is being reported

• ‘Cult mom’ Lori Vallow wanted him dead – now he gets the last word 7 years laterBrandon Boudreaux survived a 2019 Arizona shooting allegedly carried out by Alex Cox during a divorce and custody battleNew York Post · 2 Nov, 11:56
• ‘Cult mom’ Lori Vallow wanted him dead – 7 years later he gets last word on surviving doomsday killer’s plotA bullet missed Brandon Boudreaux's head by inches in 2019. He is now sharing his story after "cult mom" Lori Vallow Daybell's conviction.Fox News · 1 Nov, 12:00

In this story: Brandon Boudreaux · Lori Vallow Daybell · Alex Cox · Melani Pawlowski · Charles Vallow · Chad Daybell · Arizona · Gilbert

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log