In the chilling saga of Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell, Tony Brueski's "Hidden Killers" podcast offers an insightful exploration with Leah Sottile, the author of "When the Moon Turns to Blood." Their conversation delves deep into the minds of the Daybells, unearthing the twisted logic and beliefs that led to their horrific actions. How did a couple once perceived as ordinary transform into perpetrators of unspeakable crimes? This is the question that Sottile and Brueski attempt to unravel.

 

 Chad Daybell, initially an aspiring writer, found his niche in crafting narratives steeped in apocalyptic visions and near-death experiences. Despite his lackluster writing skills, his message resonated with a specific audience. His eventual marriage to Lori Vallow marked the convergence of two minds steeped in radical beliefs. According to Sottile, both Chad and Lori were integral in perpetuating each other's delusions, challenging the narrative that one was merely a victim of the other's influence.

 

 The podcast explores the genesis of their extreme beliefs. Sottile suggests that Lori, influenced by her father's anti-government and conspiratorial worldview, was predisposed to embrace Chad's ideologies. Meanwhile, Chad's journey from a journalist to a self-proclaimed prophet is traced back to his time at Brigham Young University and his involvement in the fringes of the LDS faith.

 

 Their shared belief in the imminent apocalypse and the idea of being chosen leaders in the end times played a pivotal role in justifying their actions. This belief system, combined with financial motives, created a lethal cocktail that led to the deaths of their former spouses and children. Sottile points out the use of religious language and concepts like 'dark spirits' and 'zombies' to dehumanize their victims and rationalize the murders.

 

 As their crimes unfolded, the question of mental health and the role it played in their actions became paramount. Sottile highlights Lori's complex mental health diagnosis, revealed during her trial, and ponders whether a similar condition affects Chad. This aspect raises the ethical dilemma of bringing individuals like Lori, whose grasp on reality is tenuous, to trial.

 

 Sottile and Brueski discuss the potential for another trial for Lori in Arizona. They delve into the complexities of her mental state and whether she comprehends the gravity of her actions. The conversation touches on the broader implications of the Daybells' actions, particularly within the context of the LDS faith and its teachings on personal revelation.

 

 This case is not only a deep dive into the minds of two individuals but also a reflection of the darker aspects of human belief systems and how they can be manipulated to justify heinous acts. As the legal proceedings against the Daybells continue, the world watches, seeking answers to the many questions their story has raised. But beyond the courtroom drama lies a more profound inquiry: what drives individuals to such extremes, and how can society address the underlying factors that lead to such tragedies?

 

 The Chad and Lori Daybell case, as examined by Leah Sottile, remains an unsettling reminder of the hidden dangers lurking within twisted interpretations of faith and belief.

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The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com