Man Targeted in Lori Vallow Murder Plot Shares His Story in New Book

Brandon Boudreaux, the target of a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by Lori Vallow Daybell, has broken his silence about the harrowing incident in his new book, "Unthinkable." The failed assassination attempt occurred in 2019 outside Boudreaux's home in Gilbert, Arizona, when a gunman fired shots, with one bullet missing his head by inches.

Prosecutors alleged that Vallow Daybell recruited her brother, Alex Cox, to kill Boudreaux amid a contentious divorce from Vallow Daybell's niece, Melani Pawlowski. On October 2, 2019, Cox reportedly fired from a Jeep Wrangler as Boudreaux was pulling his Tesla into his driveway. Boudreaux witnessed the vehicle's rear window open before the shot was fired, striking his driver's-side door.

Cox, identified as the suspected shooter, died in December 2019 without facing charges for the incident. The failed assassination attempt was part of a larger series of crimes that led to Vallow Daybell's convictions.

In June 2025, an Arizona jury found Vallow Daybell guilty of conspiring to murder Boudreaux. This followed her earlier conviction in June 2025 by another jury for conspiring to murder her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, who was shot and killed by Cox in July 2019. Vallow Daybell also faced trial in Idaho in 2023, where she was convicted of murdering her two children, Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua "JJ" Vallow, 7, and conspiring to murder Tammy Daybell, the former wife of Chad Daybell. She was also convicted of grand theft for collecting her deceased children's Social Security benefits.

Boudreaux initially wrote "Unthinkable" as a private account for his four children, aiming to provide them with a comprehensive understanding of the ordeal and his decisions. He told Fox News Digital that his goal was to give them "all the information" and help them understand themselves better by understanding his choices, while also showcasing how his faith provided an anchor.

His children encouraged him to publish the book, believing its content would be of public interest. Boudreaux intentionally delayed his public account until the criminal proceedings advanced, wanting to avoid any interference with the investigations. He testified during Vallow Daybell's Idaho trial, stating he felt more comfortable speaking out once the legal processes seemed largely concluded.

Divorce and Suspicion

During Vallow Daybell's Idaho trial, Boudreaux testified that his marriage to Melani Pawlowski deteriorated in 2019 as she grew closer to Vallow Daybell. The couple filed for divorce in July 2019, leading to a custody dispute over their children. Court filings from 2020 indicated that Pawlowski's second husband, Ian, alleged she believed Boudreaux was possessed by a "dark entity." The filings also suggested that Chad Daybell told Pawlowski that something needed to happen to Boudreaux to advance his spirit and the Lord's plan.

Pawlowski has not been charged in connection with the shooting. Boudreaux, who remarried in 2020, shared that the assassination attempt and the subsequent fear of being targeted have made it difficult for him to trust others. He noted that while public attention can be uncomfortable, most people have treated him with kindness and respect.

The Gilbert Police Department has confirmed that the investigation into the 2019 shooting remains active. Boudreaux urged law enforcement to continue their work on the case, stating his desire to leave the investigation to the authorities.

Boudreaux hopes his book conveys a message of resilience and the inherent value of every individual, emphasizing that difficult life experiences do not have to dictate one's responses or choices.