Colby and Kelsee Ryan were a young couple who seemed to have a happy and normal life. They had two daughters, Riley and Ava, and a loving relationship. However, their marriage was shattered by a horrific tragedy that involved Colby’s mother, Lori Vallow, a cult leader who allegedly killed two of her own children and her husband’s ex-wife.
Who is Colby Ryan?
Colby Ryan is the oldest and only surviving child of Lori Vallow, a woman who became infamous for her involvement in a religious cult and a series of murders. Colby was born in 1995 to Lori and her first husband, William Lagioia, but they divorced when he was a baby. Lori then married Joseph Ryan, who adopted Colby and gave him his last name. Lori and Joseph also had a daughter, Tylee, in 2002, but they divorced in 2004. Lori then married Charles Vallow in 2006, who had a son, Joshua “JJ”, from a previous marriage. Lori and Charles adopted JJ in 2014, and Colby became a big brother to him and Tylee.
Colby grew up in a Mormon family, but he later drifted away from the faith. He met Kelsee Benson in middle school, and they started dating in college. Lori did not approve of Kelsee, who was raised Catholic, and tried to control and manipulate Colby’s life. Colby and Kelsee got married in 2016, and had their first daughter, Riley, in 2017. They moved to Arizona, where Colby worked as a car salesman.
What Happened to Lori Vallow?
Lori Vallow’s life took a dark turn in 2018, when she met Chad Daybell, a self-proclaimed prophet and author of doomsday books. Lori became obsessed with Chad’s teachings, which included beliefs about zombies, multiple lives, and the end of the world. Lori and Chad joined a cult-like group called Preparing a People, which promoted preparing for the second coming of Jesus Christ. Lori also claimed to have visions and revelations from God, and believed that she was a chosen one who had a special mission.
Lori’s behavior became increasingly erratic and paranoid, and she alienated her family and friends. She also allegedly plotted to kill her husband, Charles Vallow, who filed for divorce in February 2019, and accused her of threatening his life. Charles was shot and killed by Lori’s brother, Alex Cox, in July 2019, in what was claimed to be self-defense. Lori then moved to Idaho with Tylee and JJ, where Chad lived with his wife, Tammy Daybell. Tammy died mysteriously in October 2019, and Lori and Chad got married two weeks later.
In November 2019, Colby and Kelsee became concerned about the whereabouts of Tylee and JJ, who had not been seen or heard from since September. They tried to contact Lori, but she lied to them and refused to cooperate. Colby and Kelsee also learned about Lori’s involvement in the cult and the deaths of Charles and Tammy. They reported Tylee and JJ missing to the police, and launched a public campaign to find them.
In December 2019, Lori and Chad fled to Hawaii, where they were tracked down by the authorities. They were ordered to produce Tylee and JJ, but they failed to do so. In January 2020, Colby and Kelsee flew to Hawaii to confront Lori and Chad, but they did not get any answers from them. Colby pleaded with his mother to tell him the truth, but she remained silent and cold.
In February 2020, Lori was arrested and charged with desertion and nonsupport of dependent children, among other offenses. In June 2020, the worst nightmare of Colby and Kelsee came true, when the remains of Tylee and JJ were found buried in Chad’s backyard. Lori and Chad were then charged with conspiracy to commit murder, and later with first-degree murder and other crimes.
How Did Colby and Kelsee Ryan Cope with the Tragedy?
Colby and Kelsee Ryan were devastated by the loss of Tylee and JJ, and the betrayal of Lori. They struggled to make sense of the horror that befell their family, and to cope with the trauma and grief. They also faced harassment and threats from some of Lori and Chad’s followers, who accused them of being part of a conspiracy against them.
Colby and Kelsee tried to find comfort and healing in their faith, their daughters, and their love for each other. They also sought therapy and counseling, and participated in a Netflix documentary series called “Sins of Our Mother”, where they shared their story and their emotions. Colby also wrote a two-book series called “The God Over Odds”, where he opened up about how God helped him overcome his challenges and pain.
However, their marriage could not survive the ordeal, and they separated in mid-summer of 2022. In September 2022, Kelsee accused Colby of raping her on the night of August 31, 2022, and filed a police report. The charges were later dropped, and no further details about the case were released to the public. It is unclear if Colby and Kelsee are on the verge of divorcing or not.
What Is Colby and Kelsee Ryan’s Current Status?
Colby and Kelsee Ryan have not publicly commented on their relationship status, or their plans for the future. They have also deleted their social media accounts, and their YouTube channel, “Life With The Ryans”, which used to feature videos of their family life. They seem to have chosen to stay away from the spotlight, and to focus on their daughters and their well-being.
Colby and Kelsee Ryan have been through a lot, and they have shown courage and resilience in the face of adversity. They have also been supportive of each other, and of their siblings, Tylee and JJ, who they continue to honor and remember. They have been victims of a monstrous mother, but they have also been survivors of a tragic fate.