Happy Accident: The Birth of Teflon

In 1938, 27-year-old chemist Roy J. Plunkett made one of the most serendipitous discoveries in modern materials science. While working at DuPont’s Jackson Laboratory in Deepwater, New Jersey, Plunkett was experimenting with tetrafluoroethylene gas (TFE), hoping to create a new refrigerant in the Freon family. But when he opened a pressurized cylinder, he found that the gas had polymerized into a waxy white solid. That substance—polytetrafluoroethylene, later branded as Teflon®—was slippery, chemically inert, and heat-resistant. It would revolutionize everything from cookware to aerospace.

Born on June 26, 1910, in New Carlisle, Ohio, Plunkett’s path to discovery was paved with academic rigor. He earned a B.A. in chemistry from Manchester College in 1932, followed by a master’s and Ph.D. from Ohio State University by 1936, where he studied carbohydrate oxidation. That same year, he joined DuPont.

Plunkett’s invention wasn’t immediately commercialized. It took over a decade before Teflon found its first major application—coating gaskets and valves in the Manhattan Project, due to its resistance to corrosive uranium hexafluoride gas. By 1949, it was being used in consumer products, most famously in non-stick cookware.

In 1951, Plunkett received the John Scott Medal from the city of Philadelphia, an honor reserved for inventions that promote the “comfort, welfare, and happiness of humankind.” Guests at the ceremony received Teflon-coated muffin tins—a poetic nod to the material’s domestic future.

He continued to rise within DuPont, eventually supervising the production of tetraethyl lead and holding key leadership roles. His contributions earned him induction into the Plastics Hall of Fame in 1973 and the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1985.

Plunkett passed away from cancer on May 12, 1994, at his home in Corpus Christi, Texas, at the age of 83. His legacy lives on in every frictionless surface, every heat-resistant seal, and every pan that lets an egg slide free.

The Last Breath of Mercy Brown

*A true tale of grief, fear, and fire in 1892 Rhode Island*

They called it *consumption*, because it consumed you—slowly, cruelly. First the cough, then the fever, then the wasting. One by one, the Brown family of Exeter, Rhode Island, faded like breath on a windowpane.

First went Mary Eliza, the mother. Then Mary Olive, the eldest daughter. Then Edwin, the son, left for Colorado in a desperate bid for dry air and healing. And then, in the bitter winter of 1892, Mercy Lena Brown—just 19—died.

But Edwin returned home still sick. Pale. Weak. Dying.

The townsfolk whispered. Too many Browns had died. Too quickly. Too completely. And Edwin—he was being *drained*. Not by disease, they said. By the dead.

The villagers remembered old tales. From Europe, yes—but also from their own soil. In Vermont, they’d burned the heart of Frederick Ransom. In Connecticut, they’d dismembered corpses. In rural New England, the dead were not always dead. Sometimes, they fed.

So they came for Mercy.

Two months after her burial, they exhumed her grave. Her body, unlike the others, was strangely preserved. Her hair had grown. Her nails, too. And—most damning of all—there was blood in her heart.

They removed it.

They burned it.

They mixed the ashes with water and gave it to Edwin to drink.

This was not a horror story. This was *medicine*, by 19th-century standards. A folk cure. A desperate act of love and fear.

Edwin died anyway.

But Mercy lived on—in legend. Her grave, in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, still draws visitors. Some leave vampire teeth. Others leave flowers. All leave wondering: how could grief twist into ritual? How could love become exhumation?

And what if the dead *do* whisper?

My Crimany Cryptid Chronicles- The Angulia Peluda: Demon of the Ravine

The Anguila Peluda: Demon of the Ravine

Anguila Peluda, the hairy eel of Anaga. A demon in disguise. Exorcised, but never gone.

High in the Anaga mountains of Tenerife, where mist clings to volcanic cliffs and ravines cut deep into stone, lies Barranco de los Infiernos—the Ravine of the Damned. Within it, a pool known as Charco de la Anguila. The Pool of the Eel. But this wasn’t just any eel. This one had hair.

Locals spoke of a monstrous eel that slithered through the Palmital ravine, its head covered in thick fur, its gaze full of malice. They feared it wasn’t just a beast—it was something darker. Something sent to torment.

The Anguila Peluda—Hairy Eel—was said to be enormous, with a head bristling with coarse hair and eyes that gleamed with malevolence. Some claimed it could hypnotize with a glance. Others swore it was a demon. Its presence was so disturbing, a priest was summoned to exorcise it.

Historian Manuel de Ossuna y Van Den Heede recorded the tale in 1897. The priest came. The rites were performed. And the creature vanished.

But here’s the twist—even after the exorcism, the fear remained. The pool kept its name. The legend lingered. And some say, on moonless nights, the water still stirs.

For me, Anguila Peluda isn’t just folklore—it’s a symbol. A creature that wears its curse like a coat. That spirals through myth and memory. That reminds us: not all demons wear horns. Some wear fur.

Was the Anguila Peluda a real animal? A metaphor for colonial dread? Or something else entirely—a cryptid born of volcanic isolation and whispered warnings? Whatever it was, it left behind a name, a story, and a chill in the water.

False Friends Fade.

 “False Friends Fade”

We laughed in borrowed light, Shared secrets like coins tossed in a well— But your echoes never reached the bottom. You clapped for my mask, Not the soul beneath it.

I mistook proximity for care, Mistook your silence for depth. But when storms came, You vanished like chalk in rain.

You liked me best diluted— Softer, smaller, less. And I wore that shrinking cloak Until I couldn’t breathe.

So I left. Not with fury, But with the quiet grace Of someone who finally sees.

Now I walk with fewer shadows, But the light is mine. And the friends I keep Know how to hold truth Without flinching.

The Hollowing.

 **“The Hollowing” **

We built our truths in whispered tones,  

On midnight walks and broken phones.  

You held your heart like sacred glass—  

I never thought you'd let it pass.

But somewhere in the gilded chase,  

You bartered soul for fleeting grace.  

A smile too sharp, a word too slick,  

Integrity undone by tricks.

I watched you paint your name in gold,  

On stories bought, on secrets sold.  

The mirror cracked, the mask grew tight—  

You called it growth. I knew it might.

You once stood tall with quiet fire,  

Now bent beneath a thin desire.  

The compass spun, the needle lied,  

And all the good in you… just died.

Yet still, I mourn—not out of spite,  

But for the friend who chose the night.  

I keep the echo, not the face,  

And walk alone with quiet grace.

Missing Frame — The Jean Spangler Story

Hollywood has always been good at vanishing acts. Stardom flickers into obscurity. Names are etched in sidewalk stars, then stepped over. But in October 1949, one woman didn’t just fade from the spotlight—she disappeared entirely.

Los Angeles, 1949. The city was a furnace with diamond teeth. 

“You want a name in lights? First, they’ll carve it in shadows. I learned that fast.”

The air smelled like exhaust and gardenia. Jean Elizabeth Spangler—5’6”, striking, 26 years old—had the kind of face directors remembered. Long dark hair, curled soft at the edges. Green-hazel eyes full of dare. Lips curled into a half-smile like she already knew your secret.

She wasn’t famous. Not yet. But she lived on the fringes of fame—the chorus line, the party crowd, the second glance on a studio lot. A dancer at Florentine Gardens. Extra work in Technicolor dreams: *When My Baby Smiles at Me*. *Young Man with a Horn*. You might’ve seen her. One blink in a wide shot. She moved like liquid joy.

Her life wasn’t some starlit fantasy. Behind the makeup and pasted-on grins, she was a single mother to five-year-old Christine. Divorced from Dexter Benner—a man who didn’t take losing custody lightly. Jean had clawed her way to independence: living with her mother Florence and sister-in-law Sophie, dodging bills, sewing hope into every hemline.

But she made space for fun. Friends said she was flirtatious, warm, quick with a laugh. Lipstick that left ghosts on coffee cups. Fast talk and louder laughter.

“People remember me smiling, and that’s fair. But I had grit, too. You don’t survive in this town on charm alone.”

**October 7, 1949 — The Last Known Day**

That afternoon, Jean slipped out of her Park La Brea apartment. Told Sophie she was meeting her ex-husband about child support, then off to a night shoot. Winked as she left, like she knew something the rest of us didn’t.

She phoned later to say she’d be working late.

But the Screen Extras Guild confirmed—Jean wasn’t scheduled to work that night.

She simply vanished.

**Griffith Park, October 9, 1949**

 “They say the city never sleeps, but the park does. It dreams in silence. That’s where they found my purse—like a whisper left behind.”

Two days later, a groundskeeper named Henry Angu spotted her handbag at the Fern Dell entrance of Griffith Park. The strap was torn—violently, or suddenly. Inside were her ID, compact, lipstick… and one note.

 “Kirk: Can’t wait any longer. Going to see Dr. Scott. It will work best this way while mother is away,”

It ended with a comma. As if she’d meant to come back to it. As if someone—or something—cut her off.

Police ruled out robbery—her sister-in-law said Jean hadn’t left with any money. More than 100 volunteers and 60 officers combed the 4,000-acre park.

They found nothing.

Well—nothing but a denim jail uniform, half-buried in the soil. Unrelated, they said.

But eerie.

 “They said I liked to flirt with danger. Maybe I did. But I never thought it would flirt back.”

Jean had been seen with two men before she vanished: **Davy “Little Davy” Ogul** and **Frank Niccoli**. Enforcers in Mickey Cohen’s crime syndicate. Both under indictment. Both dangerous.

And both—gone.

Ogul vanished on October 9, two days after Jean.  

Niccoli had disappeared earlier—his car keys found in a sewer.

People said they saw Jean with them in Palm Springs. In Vegas. One El Paso hotel clerk swore she checked in with the two men. Border agents thought she crossed into Mexico.

But there was no paper trail. No receipts. Just traces. Just shadows.

“They said I got around. Maybe I did. But I wasn’t careless. I was curious. There’s a difference.”

That note—"Kirk… Dr. Scott…" It echoed louder than any scream. It was Jean’s handwriting. It was unfinished.

Police interviewed every Dr. Scott in Los Angeles. No one admitted to knowing her. Not officially.

But L.A. has always had two maps. One you read. One you whisper.

In 1949, abortion was illegal—and terrifying. Women turned to backroom clinics. Retired med students. Strangers with dirty instruments.

Jean’s friends said she was three months pregnant. She hadn’t named the father. But she had said: “I’m going to take care of it.”

There were rumors. A man called “Doc” who worked the Sunset Strip. A fixer in the shadows.

But no one ever found him. Maybe he vanished when Jean did.

 “I wasn’t reckless. I was careful. But when you’re a woman in 1949 with a secret, your choices shrink fast.”

#### 🔪 *Botched Procedure*

She died during the abortion. The doctor panicked. Disposed of her body and planted the purse as a distraction.

#### 🎭 *Staged Disappearance*

Was the note a red herring? A final act? But why write it in her own purse—unless she meant for it to be found?

#### 💣 *Mob Involvement*

If Jean was pregnant by someone powerful—someone connected—was it all arranged? And when it went wrong… was silence the only outcome?

Despite the leads, "Dr. Scott" was never found. No one charged. Nothing confirmed.

Jean's mother, Florence, said a man named “Kirk” had picked her up before. Always stayed in the car.

The city moved on. But Christine waited.

 “They kept looking for me. In diners. In border towns. In the faces of strangers. I became a rumor with lipstick.”

The years that followed weren’t silent—they *rattled*. Sightings, whispers, near misses.

 A gas station attendant in Central California saw a distressed woman mouth:  

 “Have the police follow this car.”  

  The man drove off. The police never found them.

In El Paso, a customs agent swore Jean checked in with Ogul. Hotel staff confirmed her likeness. But there were no names in the ledger.

A 13-year-old girl in North Hollywood said she saw Jean in a car with an older man.  

 “She looked nervous,” she said.  

  The tip went cold.

 “I became a face in the fog. A name whispered in diners. A question no one could answer.”

 “It’s funny. They try to solve me like a puzzle, but I was never the kind with edges that fit.”

Even now—75 years later—these are the dominant theories:

#### 🧬 1. *The Secret Pregnancy*

The botched abortion theory remains the strongest. But there’s no body. And no “Dr. Scott.” 

However, there was Kirk. Jean had recently worked as an extra on the film Young Man with a Horn, alongside rising star Kirk Douglas. He later claimed he barely knew her. But the tabloids had questions. Was "Kirk" in the note him?

#### 🕴️ 2. *Mob Retaliation or Escape*

She fled—or was silenced. Ogul vanished too. The connection runs deep.

#### 👔 3. *The Ex-Husband*

Jean told her family she was meeting **Dexter Benner** that night. He denied it. His wife backed him.  

Benner had motive. He hated losing custody. After Jean disappeared, he got their daughter—and fled the state.

Just... plausibility.

#### 🧠 4. *The Black Dahlia Echo*

Two young starlets. Two unsolved disappearances. Both in Hollywood’s orbit.  

Coincidence? Or something colder?

#### 🧤 5. *Voluntary Disappearance*

Could she have staged it? Started over?

She had no funds. No passport. No one heard from her again. And she loved Christine fiercely.

 “If I ran, it wasn’t away—it was toward something.  

If I stayed, it wasn’t willingly.”

### 🎬 *A Cold Case Still Warm*

Jean Spangler’s case remains officially **open** in Los Angeles. No remains. No suspects. No closure.

 “Maybe I wasn’t meant to be solved,” she might’ve said.  

 “Just… remembered.”

Day Four in "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025: Next Witness Is Sarena Sharp.

 

Adam Cox, Lori’s brother and a professional pickleball coach, testified about his concerns regarding Lori’s unusual beliefs, her increasingly close and "odd" relationship with Alex, his suspicions of her affair with Chad Daybell, plans for an intervention with Charles to address her behavior, and his conviction that Lori and Alex conspired to kill Charles, reflecting on strained family dynamics throughout his testimony. Darkmatter: Day Four in "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025: Lori's Brother Adam Cox Is The Next Witness.

Sarena Sharp, a resident of Queen Creek, Arizona, testified in court about her experiences from 2018-2019 when she lived in Connecticut before relocating to Arizona prior to the COVID pandemic. Sarena, who identifies as LDS and considers herself spiritual, attended two "Preparing a People" conferences focused on emergency preparedness and preparing for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

In November 2018, she attended a conference in Arizona where she had known Melanie Gibb and Jason Mow through prior phone conversations. Both offered to host her during her visit. Melanie picked Sarena up from the airport and instead of staying at her own home, took Sarena to her friend Lori Vallow's house. This was Sarena’s first meeting with Lori. Sarena also met Chad Daybell at Lori’s house that weekend. She later encountered Chad again at a February 2019 conference in Idaho. Contemplating a move to Idaho, Sarena met with Chad and explored housing options in Rexburg with a realtor.

In March 2019, Sarena was invited back to Arizona for a girl’s weekend at Zulema’s house. She believes she first met Zulema at the November 2018 conference in Arizona. Participants in the girl’s weekend included Lori, Melanie Gibb, Zulema, Christina, Nicole, and Sarena—all members of the LDS Church. During the weekend, Lori shared beliefs that went against the teachings of the LDS Church, including the claim that repentance was no longer necessary. Lori cited Bible verses to support her view, but Sarena doesn’t recall if Lori applied it to herself or the entire group. Sarena later told police in April 2021 that Lori tried to convince everyone of this belief, which deeply shocked and concerned her.

Sarena also recalled Lori discussing "light and dark levels" and changes both physical and spiritual. Lori introduced the concept of "casting," or casting out evil, which Sarena remembers being mentioned on multiple occasions. During the March 2019 girl’s weekend, Lori claimed her husband Charles was possessed by an evil spirit named "Ned." Lori even described this possession as being related to the term "zombie," which stood out to Sarena as a shocking and unusual belief. Sarena stated that she initially thought of zombies as a Hollywood concept, but Lori explained them in terms of evil spirits inhabiting a person.

During the group casting, Lori requested the women’s help to cast out the spirit from Charles, asking everyone to take turns. Sarena noted that this practice was entirely new to her and something she had never done or heard of in a group setting. Sarena recalled that this casting occurred only once during the weekend. She raised questions about Lori’s claims and discussed her concerns with the other women, which seemed to change the dynamics within the group.

Later, after Charles’ death in July 2019, Zulema organized a girl’s lunch that Lori attended with her brother Alex. During the lunch, Lori invited the women to her house to talk. Sarena attended and noted Lori’s stoic demeanor, observing no signs of mourning or crying despite her recent loss. Multiple women, including Melanie Gibb, were present at Lori’s home. Sarena found Lori’s behavior concerning, given the circumstances, and sent her a few texts afterward expressing her worries, though they had little contact after that. Sarena never saw Lori again following that meeting.

During Lori’s questioning in court, she asked Sarena for specifics about the use of the term "zombie." Lori asked if Sarena was certain Lori had used the term at the girls’ weekend in 2019. Sarena responded to the best of her recollection, explaining it was six years ago, and she didn’t remember verbatim. Sarena acknowledged it was possible someone else had used the term "zombie" instead, but this stood out to her in connection to Lori’s descriptions.

Lori questioned Sarena about the girl’s weekend, asking why she stayed if she felt uncomfortable with some topics. Sarena explained that she had flown across the country to be with friends, which made it difficult to leave. Lori confirmed with Sarena that she was a grown woman with her own opinions, and Sarena agreed. Lori also asked if it was fair to say they had a fun weekend, which Sarena acknowledged was true. Lori suggested that Sarena may have since changed her perspective about the weekend.

Lori asked about Sarena’s communications with others, including Christina Atwood, Zulema, Kay Woodcock, and Melanie Gibb. Sarena shared that she communicated "many" times with Christina, sometimes weekly or daily, though she wasn’t sure how to quantify it. She confirmed occasional contact with Melanie but stated she didn’t know Kay Woodcock. Lori also inquired about Sarena’s recollection of Lori’s statements on repentance, asking what exactly was said. Sarena explained she couldn’t remember verbatim but recalled Lori saying something to the effect of not needing to repent.

Lori asked how many times Sarena had been interviewed by police. Sarena said she had been interviewed a couple of times, with the first occurring in spring 2020 by Nate Moffatt, though she didn’t recall how long the interview lasted. Lori further questioned what Sarena could contribute in meeting with police for 90 minutes about someone she had only met a few times. Treena objected to this line of questioning as speculative, and the judge sustained the objection. Lori asked what Sarena told police during the interviews but was again met with objections to the broadness of the question, which the judge sustained. Lori asked if Sarena had anything to offer today in relation to the crime Lori is charged with, prompting another sustained objection for relevance. Lori asked if Sarena ever saw or heard anything about Lori conspiring with her brother to murder her husband, to which Sarena replied "No."

Treena returned for re-direct questioning, asking Sarena if being "translated" is something unusual to her. Sarena said she has read about it in religious books but doesn’t know anyone who has been translated. Treena also asked about prayers during the girls’ weekend. Sarena acknowledged the group said other prayers, such as over food, but stated the casting prayer felt very different. Treena inquired whether Sarena had gotten together with other women from the group to fabricate a story about Charles being possessed, which Sarena denied. Treena confirmed with Sarena that everything she testified to was to the best of her knowledge and noted that six years had passed since the events. Sarena’s testimony concluded.

Day Four in "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025: Lori's Brother Adam Cox Is The Next Witness.

 

Day three of Lori's trial included testimony from veteran officer Daniel Coons supporting the sequence of Charles's shooting, Nancy Jo Hancock's insight into Charles's kind yet strained personality and her shock at his death, and Christina Atwood's account of disturbing beliefs and actions within Lori's relationship. Darkmatter: "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025 Day Three Recap.

Adam Cox, Lori’s brother and a professional pickleball coach, testified as the next witness. He previously worked as a radio morning show host in Wichita and grew up in Southern California. Adam mentioned his four siblings—Stacy, Alex, Lori, and Summer—and noted that Lori and Summer were particularly close. Melanie Boudreaux, Stacy’s daughter, is Adam’s niece. Adam acknowledged that Lori, his sister, was present at the defense table.

In July 2019, Lori was married to Charles, with whom she had been together for over ten years. After Charles’s death, Lori married Chad. Lori had two children, Colby and Tylee, from a prior marriage before marrying Charles. During their time together, Adam’s son Zac lived with Lori and Charles. Charles also had two sons from a prior marriage, who visited occasionally but did not live with them. In 2019, JJ and Tylee resided with Lori and Charles.

Adam confirmed that Lori and Charles didn’t always live in Arizona—they had also lived in Texas and Hawaii. When asked about his relationship with his brother Alex “Al,” Adam described it as somewhat close. He noted that Lori and Alex had a normal sibling relationship but grew closer over 4-5 years, with a brief period when their closeness became “odd.” He said Charles and Alex had a typical brother-in-law relationship. Their family often held big events where everyone came together.

Adam grew up as a member of the LDS Church and is still a member. He noted that Alex was excommunicated twice as an adult but was unsure of the exact dates. When asked about excommunication, Adam explained that it involves the church removing certain privileges and denying access to the temple.

Adam shared that he and Charles communicated through texts and phone calls. Charles had a family cell phone plan, though Adam was unsure about car insurance. Charles worked in insurance, assisting schoolteachers with their financial situations, and traveled frequently for work. Prior to marrying Charles, Lori worked as a hairstylist, but she stopped working after their marriage to focus on caring for the children "for the most part." 

Adam mentioned discussing Lori and Charles’s marital problems with Charles. He revealed that Lori held beliefs outside the teachings of the LDS religion. Lori told Adam she was in the process of transitioning from a mortal to an immortal, celestial state—a concept Adam had not encountered in the LDS faith. She also claimed to have more priesthood authority than the priesthood itself, which Adam found strange, as the priesthood is traditionally held by men in their religion. While Adam did not confront Lori directly, he expressed his disbelief, saying, “I don’t know if you’re crazy but what you’re saying is not real.” After this interaction, Lori stopped speaking to Adam.

Adam tried to inform his family about Lori’s unusual beliefs, but one reaction was that Lori was in a delusion and would eventually come out of it. Adam said, “They basically cut me off,” referring to his family. At the end of June 2019, Adam reviewed an email Charles received about Chad coming to Arizona to write a book about him. Charles, who had played minor league baseball, was not interested in the proposed book. The email was from someone impersonating Charles, which led Adam to suspect that Lori was having an affair with Chad Daybell. Adam and Charles discussed the matter. Adam noted that Charles thought Lori was overboard in her behavior, including attending the temple five times a week. Charles believed that if Lori’s temple recommend were revoked, it might bring her back to normal.

Adam also spoke with Charles about planning an intervention for Lori. Charles was desperate because members of their family refused to speak with him, likely due to Lori’s influence. Charles proposed an intervention to record Lori’s statements, share the recording with the stake president, and attempt to bring Lori back to mainstream LDS beliefs. Adam explained that wards are smaller church groups, and several wards form a stake, which is led by a stake president—a high-ranking figure in the LDS Church. The intervention’s goal was to revoke Lori’s temple recommend. Charles discussed flying Adam to Arizona to assist with the intervention and offered to buy his plane ticket. At the time, Lori, Charles’s parents, Alex, and Summer all lived in Arizona.

Adam reached out to Alex and asked if he could stay with him during his trip to Arizona. Alex agreed initially. Adam flew to Phoenix on July 10 but ultimately did not stay with Alex. Upon landing in Phoenix around lunchtime, Adam texted Alex but received no response, which he found unusual. Adam also tried calling Alex, but Alex did not answer—a behavior Adam considered strange and bizarre. Alex never followed up or contacted Adam. As a result, Adam stayed at his parents’ house instead. Adam did not see Charles or Lori on July 10. His parents picked him up, and they went to lunch and later spent time at the house. Zac, Adam’s son, was living with his grandparents at the time. Charles had planned to pick up JJ and take him to school. Adam noted that Charles and JJ shared a very close relationship.

On July 11, Treena Kay moved to admit text messages from the morning of that day. Lori objected, claiming the texts were a report, not an extraction. The judge overruled the objection, and the texts were displayed in court. Adam knew Charles had reached out to Lori about the fake email from Chad and recalled Charles also reaching out to Tammy Daybell. The texts revealed exchanges between Charles and Adam regarding their travel plans. At 9:11 a.m. on July 9, Charles messaged Adam about how they could all meet without Lori discovering the intervention. Adam responded that he would visit Lori and record her without her knowledge. In the texts, Adam emphasized the importance of being on record to have “proof for Holmes,” the stake president. Another text mentioned Zac and Brandon, who had played basketball with Adam and Holmes. Adam thought Brandon might be able to help with the intervention.

At 1:13 p.m. on July 9, Charles informed Adam that his flights were booked and expressed concern that Lori might grow suspicious. Adam noted that when Charles had previously tried to serve Lori with divorce papers, she had disappeared, and no one knew her whereabouts. Charles worried she might flee again, as she was “flighty,” according to Adam. Charles planned to take JJ to school and mentioned using a second recording device to ensure they captured Lori’s statements. Adam described Charles as “desperate,” viewing the intervention as a last-ditch effort to free Lori from the "spell she was under." Despite everything, Charles stated that he still loved Lori. The texts showed ongoing communication between Adam and Charles. Adam did not recall speaking with Charles on July 10, the day before he was shot, and assumed they would meet on July 11 without specific plans. On the morning of July 11, Charles texted Adam, “Al is here. At Lori’s.” This shocked Adam, who responded, “Really...I wonder why he never called me back.”

Adam then texted Charles, “They are planning something.” Adam felt deeply suspicious, especially about Alex being at Lori’s house that morning, which “felt like something was really off.” Adam texted Alex again, but Alex did not respond. At 7:49 a.m., Adam texted Charles to say he planned to play basketball with Zac, noting that Holmes, the stake president, was usually present either playing basketball or conducting interviews. Adam intended to catch Holmes for a conversation, describing him as “an old friend.” Charles never responded. That evening, Adam and Zac played basketball, but Holmes was not there. Adam did not learn of Charles’s shooting on July 11, as no one in his family informed him. On July 12, Adam still heard nothing from Lori, Alex, or any other family members. The following day, Adam visited a friend named Eric in Tucson, taking Zac with him. Adam expressed to Eric how suspicious it was that he had not heard from Charles, saying, “My mind was spinning. I had no clue what was going on.” Adam speculated that Charles might simply have wanted to be with JJ but wondered if other issues were involved. 

Adam eventually asked his family if anyone had heard from Alex, but no one had. Adam had kept the intervention a secret at Charles’s request, fearing that Alex, Mom, Dad, or Summer might try to prevent it. While speaking with Eric, Adam mentioned that something felt off. Eric asked for Charles’s last name, Googled him, and discovered that Charles Vallow had been killed by his brother-in-law. Adam described the moment as “chaos, a knot in my stomach, probably one of the worst feelings I’ve ever felt in my life.” Adam knew Alex regularly went shooting. He never told anyone in the family about the intervention, yet Lori told police she was aware Adam had been planning one. When asked if he had told her about it, Adam responded, “No.”

Treena asks Adam to recount the story of Nephi, a prophet whose brothers attempted to kill him. Nephi was sent to retrieve sacred plates from Jerusalem, making multiple attempts as directed by the Lord. During his final attempt, he encountered King Laban, who was drunk and lying on the ground. Adam explains that Nephi was instructed by the spirit or God to kill Laban, which he did.

The conversation then shifts to Charles’s death. Adam describes the emotional impact of learning about it—shock, grief, and anger. He stuck up for Charles, which created a break in the family and led to a period where they didn't speak for a long time. Since then, communication has resumed. Adam first reached out to Kay to confirm the news, and she had just learned of it herself. He then called his mom, who knew about Charles’s death but acted strangely, challenging Adam to explain the situation. This strained their relationship further, and a tense conversation at her house deepened the rift.

Treena has no further questions, and Lori begins her cross-examination. Lori lists all the cities where Adam worked and notes, “And I was in Texas, Arizona, Hawaii.” She asks if they have not been physically close during the last 20 years, to which Adam agrees. Lori then asks if Adam saw, heard, or personally witnessed her conspiring with Alex Cox to murder Charles Vallow. Adam states, “No.” Lori thanks him and concludes her questioning.

Treena resumes questioning and asks Adam if he has spoken to Lori since Charles’s death. Adam says no; he had cut off all communication after Lori began expressing beliefs about becoming a celestial being and sharing other ideas that conflicted with LDS faith. After Adam challenged her beliefs as untrue, their relationship effectively ended. Treena also asks Adam if he was supposed to be with Alex on the 10th until the 11th, to which Adam responds, “If I would have spent the night with him, yes.” Adam reflects that this stood out to him, as he had made plans with Alex.

Later, Adam testifies about concerns regarding Alex and guns. Adam was aware his brother had guns and was concerned about Alex being at Lori’s house so early. It seemed unusual that Alex brought a loaded gun with extra magazines to a house where JJ was present. Lori objects, claiming this line of questioning is beyond the scope, but the judge overrules. Adam didn’t know at the time that Alex had a gun and extra ammunition at the house, but he now believes it was excessive. Adam told his family afterward that he believed Lori and Alex had conspired to kill Charles. He mentions Lori's claim that Charles’s body was inhabited by a zombie named Ned. Adam firmly states, “No doubt in my mind that they killed him.” Treena has no further questions, and the judge acknowledges that this line of questioning was beyond the scope. Lori is allowed to re-cross on these issues but declines after consulting her advisory attorneys. The judge asks if the jury has any questions; they do not. Adam’s testimony concludes.

Darkmatter: Day Four in "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025: Next Witness Is Sarena Sharp.

"Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025 Day Three Recap.

On the second day of Lori's trial, firefighter Scott Cowden, retired captain Kent Keller, and veteran officer Daniel Coons testified about CPR efforts, crime scene observations, and evidence collection related to Charles Vallow's death, with discussions covering protocols, signs of death, and firearm details. Their testimonies highlighted key findings and investigative processes, as well as questions from both the prosecution and Lori addressing crucial aspects of the incident. Darkmatter: "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025 Day Two Recap.

Day three of Lori's trial featured veteran officer Daniel Coons back on the stand. Treena's re-direct examination highlighted Coons' investigative methods, evidence analysis, and bullet trajectories, supporting the conclusion that Charles was standing for the first shot and on the ground for the second. Darkmatter: Day Three in "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025: Daniel Coons with the Chandler Police Department Back On The Stand.

Nancy Jo Hancock's testimony highlighted her brief relationship with Charles, his kind yet stressed demeanor, his efforts to move forward from marital struggles, her shock at his death, her interactions with family and law enforcement, and her responses during Lori's cross-examination, which included objections and judicial warnings. Darkmatter: Day Three in "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025: Next witness is Nancy Jo Hancock.

Christina Atwood, a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, testified about her relationship with Lori Vallow, revealing disturbing beliefs and actions, including claims of Charles being possessed by dark spirits, castings, drugging Charles, unsettling remarks from Alex Cox, and Lori's dismissal of repentance and negative comments about others. Darkmatter: Day Three in "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025: Next witness is Christina Atwood.

Day Three in "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025: Next witness is Christina Atwood.

 

Nancy Jo Hancock's testimony highlighted her brief relationship with Charles, his kind yet stressed demeanor, his efforts to move forward from marital struggles, her shock at his death, her interactions with family and law enforcement, and her responses during Lori's cross-examination, which included objections and judicial warnings. Darkmatter: Day Three in "Doomsday Mom" Lori Daybell's Trial 2025: Next witness is Nancy Jo Hancock.

Christina Atwood, who has lived in Arizona since 2009 and is a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, testified about her relationship with Lori Vallow. They met at church around 2010, and Christina’s son and husband worked with Lori in the church's primary program. After Lori and Charles Vallow moved to Hawaii, Christina’s family visited them during a vacation in 2015. During the visit, Christina and her family spent time with Lori and her children, JJ and possibly Tylee, though Christina isn't certain if Tylee was present. They also spent time paddleboarding on the ocean. Christina was acquainted with Colby Ryan but didn’t know Charles' other sons from a previous marriage.

Christina also testified about running into Charles and Lori at the temple around 2018 after they had moved back to Arizona. She recalled Lori inviting her to Hawaii, likely in late summer or fall of 2018, though she wasn't positive about the timing. Christina later spoke with Rexburg Detective Ron Ball in 2021 and confirmed that Lori wanted her to go to Hawaii in 2019.

Treena Kay, the prosecutor, admitted a recording to help Christina refresh her memory about why Lori wanted her to go to Hawaii. Christina recalled Lori expressing unhappiness with Charles and mentioning that she had gone to Hawaii without informing many people. Lori told Christina that JJ was with Charles in Houston and that Charles had tried to have her temple recommend taken away, which was one of the reasons she left. Christina told the police in 2021 that Lori did not want Charles to know her whereabouts when she left for Hawaii. Christina was unsure how long Lori stayed in Hawaii.

Christina knew Lori and Charles were separated. JJ was with Charles in Texas, while Tylee was staying with Uncle Alex. Lori was also living with Alex, according to Christina. Christina did not know Lori had gone to Idaho until December 2019 but eventually learned Lori was back in Arizona. Lori invited Christina to a group meeting in February or spring of 2019. The meeting, held at Zulema Pastenes' house, included attendees such as Zulema, Melanie Gibb, Nicole Earl, and Serena Sharp. Christina does not recall who invited her to the meeting. This was the first time Christina met Zulema, Melanie, and Serena, though she already knew Nicole.

At the meeting, Lori expressed concerns about dark spirits plaguing Charles. Treena asked Christina if Lori said Charles was possessed by dark spirits. Christina did not recall but acknowledged that she had told police in 2021 that this was the first time she heard of Charles being possessed by a dark spirit. Christina stated that if she said it then, it was accurate. Lori mentioned that Charles had a dark spirit and was possessed, but Christina could not recall the name of the dark spirit. The group met in the evening, possibly twice in a weekend, and Serena was visiting from out of state. Treena asked if listening to the recording of Christina's interview with police would help her recall, and Christina agreed that it would.

After listening to the police interview, Christina confirmed that she had told police a spirit had possessed Charles but could not remember the name. She recalled Lori speaking about Charles being possessed on more than one occasion and being open about it. Christina also noted that Lori had at least two phones and a third line that was a home landline. Lori was not working at the time, and Christina did not know Lori to have ever worked. Treena asked Christina if Lori ever talked to her about castings, and Christina confirmed that Lori had. Castings involved praying for dark spirits to be cast out of someone. Christina was in Lori’s presence when Lori prayed for the evil spirit to leave her husband. When asked if people were assigned different elements as part of the casting, Christina could not recall.

On June 9, 2019, Christina attended another gathering at Zulema’s house. The attendees included Zulema, Alex Cox, Melani Boudreaux, Nicole Earl, Melanie Gibb, Lori, and another unidentified woman.

Treena asked Christina about her impressions of Alex Cox. Christina described Alex as loud and outspoken, and she felt very uncomfortable with what he was talking about. After the meeting, Lori continued to express that Charles was possessed. Christina recalled being asked to fast and pray for Lori's family. The group gathered outside for a prayer, led by Lori, before breaking their fast and eating together. Alex participated in the prayer outside. As they were breaking their fast, Alex said he wished he could kill Charles. Christina noted that Alex made this statement more than once and described it as jocular, with Alex speaking loudly and standing up while saying it. Lori was present during one of the times Alex made this statement but did not react or admonish him. Christina found these statements upsetting.

Christina also testified that Lori told her she had crushed up some of JJ’s medication and put it in Charles’ drink mix. When Treena asked if it was a significant amount of medication, Christina confirmed that it was and described being disturbed by this revelation. Alex had no reaction to this. Christina did not stay much longer at the gatherings and left. The next day, she asked Lori to meet with her. During their meeting, Christina expressed her concerns about what had been said and described it as disturbing. She told Lori that if something happened to Charles, she would go to the police. Lori dismissed the concerns, saying they were just being silly and dramatic. Lori also minimized her actions, claiming she had not given Charles as many drugs as she had said the day before. Christina noted that Lori began making statements that went against her religion and claimed she no longer needed to repent.

Christina explained that these statements stood out to her because, in her faith, members believe everyone except Jesus Christ needs to repent. Lori began talking about knowing members of her group in prior lives. At the last meeting in June, Serena was not present. Christina overheard Lori speaking negatively about Serena, saying she did not believe Serena would be good after all. After Christina spoke to Lori, Lori did not invite her to anything until August, when Lori invited her to lunch. In July, Christina received a text message that Charles had been killed. Initially, Christina believed it was a brother-in-law who had killed Charles, but she later realized Alex had been involved. Christina does not recall the name of the dark spirit that Lori claimed inhabited Charles. Treena concluded her questioning, and Lori stated she had no questions for Christina.