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| Brandon Boudreaux: Where Is the Survivor of Lori Vallow Daybell’s Murder Plot Now? |
Brandon Boudreaux survived an attempted shooting in October 2019 after becoming a target in the Lori Vallow Daybell case. Today, he is an entrepreneur, husband and father of six who has channelled his experience into sharing his story and helping others. NBC’s Dateline revisits the case in the episode ‘Blindsided’, featuring Brandon’s account of the attack and its lasting impact on his life. His journey since that frightening day has included building businesses, raising his family and preparing a book about an experience that changed everything.
Brandon’s ordeal began during his marriage to Melani Pawlowski, Lori Vallow’s niece. The couple were involved in a difficult divorce and custody dispute when Brandon was targeted in an alleged murder plot. On 2 October 2019, an armed assailant opened fire on him outside his home in Gilbert, Arizona. The gunman reportedly missed his head by inches, giving Brandon a chance to escape. It was a terrifying encounter, and the fact that he survived was only the beginning of a much longer struggle to rebuild his sense of security.
Brandon recognised the vehicle used in the attack as a car belonging to Charles Vallow, Lori’s late husband, who had died on 11 July 2019. According to the case presented by prosecutors, Lori had enlisted her brother, Alex Cox, to carry out the shooting. The wider investigation would eventually expose a series of crimes involving Lori, her children and other members of her family. What began as a frightening incident outside Brandon’s home became part of a much larger criminal investigation that attracted national attention.
In the Dateline episode, Brandon also reflects on reconnecting with Charles shortly before his death. The two men had spoken in late June 2019, and Brandon explained that he regretted not having been more supportive when Charles was experiencing difficulties.
He recalled apologising to him and said Charles had forgiven him, expressed his love and reminded him of earlier warnings about Lori’s influence over Melani. Brandon also described a message from Charles that he had not received because his phone had been blocked. Looking back, those conversations carried a significance that neither man could have fully understood at the time.
Lori was subsequently charged in connection with the alleged conspiracy to kill Brandon and the conspiracy involving Charles’s death. On 22 April 2025, she was found guilty of conspiring to kill Charles, followed by a conviction for conspiring to kill Brandon on 12 June 2025.
During Lori’s sentencing, Brandon spoke about what the attack could have meant for his children if he had not survived. He explained that they might have been left without their father’s love, guidance and support. He also described the fear, anger and isolation that followed the shooting, including spending months in hiding. Surviving the attack was one thing; feeling safe again was another challenge entirely.
Away from the courtroom, Brandon had already established a substantial professional career. After graduating from American Fork High School in 2003, he studied General Studies at Utah Valley University, earning an Associate of Science degree. He completed his education in 2008, having already gained experience in sales at Stampede Marketing.
He subsequently worked at Bizplete, Star Satellite and Now Communications, where he progressed from Regional Manager to Senior Director and eventually Vice-President of Sales. In October 2017, he joined Clear Home as Vice-President of Sales, bringing years of commercial experience to the role. His career was hardly an overnight success story; it was built through years of work before his name became associated with a widely reported criminal case.
Brandon eventually moved into entrepreneurship, co-owning Canyon State Insurance and Sage Insurance before pursuing other business ventures. He is now associated with Avvio Solar and Timber & Wings Media Co., which he runs alongside Colby Ryan, Lori’s surviving son.
Through Timber & Wings Media Co., Brandon has also developed a podcast project centred on sharing his experiences and offering support to others. Turning a deeply personal experience into something that might help another person is not an easy task, particularly when the memories involved are anything but ordinary. Still, it gives him an opportunity to tell his own story rather than allowing the headlines to tell it for him.
Brandon is also preparing to become a published author. His upcoming book, Unthinkable: Lori Vallow Daybell’s Plot to Kill Me, and How Family, Faith, and Hope Saved Me, is scheduled for publication in February 2027. The title reflects the personal side of a case that has often been discussed through court proceedings, criminal investigations and television documentaries.
For Brandon, writing about the experience offers a chance to explain what happened from his perspective and explore how he began moving forward afterwards. Readers interested in the case will have an opportunity to learn more about his experiences beyond the familiar timeline of events, although the book’s eventual release remains something to watch.
Brandon’s personal life has also entered a new chapter. Originally from American Fork, Utah, he married Jennifer “Jenny” Frost Boudreaux in November 2020. Together, they are raising six children: Avery, Logan, Braxton, Brighton, Blake and Brees.
Family appears to be a major part of the life he has built since the attack, providing a source of stability as he continues his professional and personal pursuits. In a heartfelt Facebook birthday message to Jenny in December 2021, Brandon praised her kindness, generosity and commitment to helping others. His words conveyed a deep appreciation for a partner whose values and support have played an important role in his life.
The couple also own several Airbnb properties, including Beachy Bama in Gulf Shores, Alabama, giving them another business venture alongside their other work. Their family life has its own milestones, too. In June 2026, Brandon’s daughter Brighton released her first song, ‘Don’t Say’, on Spotify, a moment that gave her father another reason to feel proud. It is a reminder that life continues to bring new achievements and experiences, even when the past contains events that are difficult to leave behind.
Brandon is also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has spoken about the importance of faith, family and hope in his life. He enjoys travelling with his family, discovering new places and spending time at the beach. These interests might sound refreshingly ordinary, but that is part of the point: after experiencing something extraordinary in the worst possible way, there is value in being able to enjoy everyday life again. His current life in Arizona includes family responsibilities, business commitments and plans for the future, rather than being defined solely by the shooting that brought him into the public eye.
There is something worth considering about Brandon’s story beyond the shocking details that make it suitable for a true-crime programme. The attack was a pivotal moment, but it does not have to be the only thing that defines him. Building businesses, raising six children and preparing a book are meaningful achievements in their own right, particularly after months of fear and uncertainty. At the same time, it would be unfair to turn survival into a neat inspirational slogan, as though a person can simply decide to move on and leave everything behind.
The effects of frightening experiences can last for years, and recovery rarely follows a convenient schedule. Brandon’s willingness to discuss what happened offers a more personal perspective on a case often dominated by its most disturbing revelations. His story also shows why the people affected by crime deserve attention beyond the courtroom, without suggesting that success or a happy family life automatically erases the past.
Brandon Boudreaux’s life today is centred on his family, his businesses and the book he hopes will help others understand his experience. His appearance in Dateline: ‘Blindsided’ brings renewed attention to a case that continues to interest true-crime audiences, but his life extends well beyond the events of 2019.
As he prepares for the February 2027 publication of Unthinkable, there is more to learn about how he has navigated the years since the attack. What do you find most interesting about Brandon’s journey: his determination to rebuild his life, his work as an entrepreneur or his decision to share his story with the public? Share your thoughts and let other readers know which part of his journey stands out to you.