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New twist in case of children missing from family with doomsday beliefs

A pulmonary blood clot killed the brother of a woman who’s facing charges over the disappearance of her children — a case that has attracted worldwide attention due to her doomsday beliefs and connection to three mysterious deaths.

Autopsy and toxicology reports have been released for Alex Cox who died in December, five months after he fatally shot his sister’s estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in what he said was self-defence.

Lori Vallow, 46, Cox's sister, is being detained in the US state of Idaho on charges related to the disappearance of her two children Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 17, who both were reported missing in September.

Lori Vallow is being investigated over the disappearance of her two Idaho children. Source: Associated Press
Lori Vallow is being investigated over the disappearance of her two Idaho children. Source: Associated Press

When Ms Vallow moved from suburban Phoenix to Rexburg, Idaho, she married a man named Chad Daybell just two weeks after his wife, Tammy Daybell, died in October.

Though her obituary said the death was from natural causes, law enforcement became suspicious when Mr Daybell quickly remarried.

Ms Daybell’s remains have been exhumed, but the autopsy report has not yet been released.

Ms Vallow reportedly believes she is “a god assigned to carry out the work of the 144,000 at Christ’s second coming in July 2020,” according to divorce documents Charles Vallow filed before his death.

She and Mr Daybell were involved in a group that promoted preparing for the biblical end times.

Missing children Joshua "JJ" Vallow, 7, left, and Tylee Ryan, 17. Source: Associated Press
Missing children Joshua "JJ" Vallow, 7, left, and Tylee Ryan, 17. Source: Associated Press
An autopsy revealed Alex Cox, Lori Vallow's brother, died from natural causes. Source: idahonews
An autopsy revealed Alex Cox, Lori Vallow's brother, died from natural causes. Source: idahonews

Ms Vallow and Mr Daybell moved to Hawaii in December, shortly after police went to her apartment in Rexburg to check on the children at the grandparents’ request.

Ms Vallow was arrested in Hawaii in February and is being held on $1 million bail.

Detectives investigating Mr Cox's death are going to review the autopsy report, with police saying the case was yet to be closed.

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