The widow of Alex Cox takes the stand in murder trial of Chad Daybell

BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — The wife of Alex Cox, Lori Vallow’s brother took the stand and testified for the full day in the death penalty case of Chad Daybell.

Zulema Pastenes was married to Alex Cox up until his death and was close with Chad and Lori.

She testified about their religious beliefs, the conferences they had attended together, the many castings that she had taken part of with Chad, Lori, and others.

Zulema told the court that Chad Daybell believed that he had lived many lives and that he and Lori had been married in past lives.

“They had been married to each other seven times before in other lives. And they had been exalted before together in other worlds,” she said. “And that they were to be together in this life because they have a mission together. That their spouses would understand because of the mission they needed to complete.”

She also told the court that at some points Chad believed he was the brother of Christ, and in another life, was the Holy Ghost.

Zulema talked about the casting ceremonies, particularly the castings of Charles Vallow and how she learned that Charles had died.

Prosecutor Lindsey Blake asked her if she recalled a conversation about J.J. dying young.

“Chad said that J.J. was going to die young, that he was probably going to die soon, and he was going to come right back to earth as Colby’s son,” Zulema testified.

Colby is referring to Colby Ryan, Lori Vallow’s first child and older brother to Tylee Ryan.

Blake also asked Zulema about a conversation she had with Lori about the whereabouts of Tylee.

Zulema testified, “I asked her, I said Hey where’s Tylee? And she said, well she had to be free. Meaning Tylee had to be free. And when I went to ask her for her to explain or what she meant by that, she put her hand against my face and said, “don’t ask.”

Trial proceedings will continue Wednesday at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho.

Chad Daybell is charged with three counts of first-degree murder of his former wife Tammy Daybell, Tylee Ryan and J.J. Vallow, as well as conspiracy to commit murder, grand theft, and insurance fraud. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

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