Brandon Boudreaux narrowly escaped death when a bullet missed his head by inches outside his Arizona home in 2019. This incident was part of a murder-for-hire scheme involving Lori Vallow Daybell. Prosecutors alleged that Vallow recruited her brother, Alex Cox, to kill Boudreaux amidst his contentious divorce from Vallow’s niece, Melani Pawlowski.
Attempted Murder
On October 2, 2019, Alex Cox reportedly shot at Boudreaux from a parked Jeep Wrangler as Boudreaux drove his Tesla into his driveway in Gilbert. He noticed the vehicle’s rear window opening moments before the shot. A bullet hit the driver’s-side door and shattered the window of the car.
Although police quickly identified Cox as the suspected shooter, he died in December 2019 and never faced charges. Vallow was later convicted by an Arizona jury in June 2025 for conspiring to kill Boudreaux. She was also convicted of conspiring to murder her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in another trial two months earlier.
Previous Convictions
These convictions followed Vallow’s 2023 trial in Idaho. There, a jury found her guilty of murdering her two children, Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 7. She was also convicted of conspiring to murder Tammy Daybell, the former wife of her husband, Chad Daybell. Additionally, Vallow was found guilty of grand theft for collecting her children’s Social Security benefits.
Lori Vallow, in a March 2020 hearing in Rexburg, Idaho, was seen with her defense attorney Edwina Elcox.
Sharing His Story
Brandon Boudreaux is now sharing his story in a book titled “Unthinkable.” Initially meant as a private account for his four children, he aimed to provide them with a broader understanding of the ordeal and his decisions.
He expressed hope that the book would demonstrate how his faith guided him, allowing his children to choose their spiritual path by understanding his perspective.
After receiving encouragement from loved ones, Boudreaux decided to publish the book publicly. He waited until the legal proceedings concluded to avoid interfering with investigations.
Divorce and Custody Battle
During Vallow’s Idaho murder trial, Boudreaux testified about his crumbling marriage to Pawlowski in 2019. The couple, who filed for divorce in July 2019, later clashed over child custody.
A 2020 custody document claimed that Pawlowski believed a “dark entity” possessed Boudreaux, based on information from Chad Daybell. Remarkably, Pawlowski has not faced any charges related to the shooting.
Chad Daybell appeared in court after his murder trial’s verdict was read in May 2024.
Lasting Impact
Boudreaux remarried in 2020 but admitted that the shooting and divorce left lasting effects, including trust issues.
Despite the public attention, he stated that most people treat him with kindness and respect. He prefers to let law enforcement handle the ongoing investigation into the 2019 shooting.
The Gilbert Police Department confirmed the investigation remains active.
Message of Hope
Boudreaux hopes readers of “Unthinkable” will find a message about overcoming adversity and finding personal value.
“I hope that everybody has value and everybody can help someone else,” he shared. He emphasized that difficult experiences should not dictate how individuals respond.
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