Colby Ryan, the eldest and sole surviving son of Lori Vallow, has garnered attention due to his participation in the Netflix docuseries “Sins of Our Mother,” shedding light on his family’s tumultuous past and the tragic demise of his siblings, Tylee Ryan and J.J. Vallow. Amidst the scrutiny, inquiries arise about Colby Ryan’s marital status, particularly regarding his relationship with his estranged wife, who levied allegations of sexual assault against him. Here’s the current state of affairs.
Colby Ryan’s Marriage and Divorce
In 2016, Colby Ryan entered into matrimony with Kelsee Soelberg at the age of 20, and their union welcomed a daughter named Everly in 2018. Their journey led them to Arizona in 2019, coinciding with the relocation of Colby’s mother, Lori Vallow, and her fifth spouse, Chad Daybell, to Hawaii amid the investigation surrounding the disappearance of Tylee and J.J.
Regrettably, Colby Ryan’s marital bliss was short-lived. In the documentary series “Sins of Our Mother,” he disclosed discord within his marriage, exacerbated by revelations implicating his mother and stepfather in the tragic fate of his siblings. Their relationship faltered as emotional support waned, leading to a growing chasm between them.
In February 2020, Colby Ryan initiated divorce proceedings, citing insurmountable differences. He sought shared legal guardianship and visitation rights for their daughter, alongside financial support. Court records indicate that the divorce was finalized in June 2020, marking the culmination of their marital dissolution.
Colby Ryan’s Sexual Assault Charges and Arrest
In September 2020, Colby Ryan faced legal turmoil when he was apprehended in Arizona on charges of sexual assault, stemming from accusations leveled by his estranged wife. She alleged that during a visit to her residence to discuss their daughter’s custody, Colby disregarded her objections and perpetrated the assault. Additionally, she purportedly recorded a subsequent conversation where he purportedly confessed to the act.
Subsequently, Colby Ryan found himself confined to the Maricopa County Jail, facing a bail set at $10,000. Asserting his innocence, he entered a plea of not guilty and secured release on bail. Nevertheless, the following week, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office chose to dismiss the charges due to insufficient evidence. The decision hinged on inconsistencies within the victim’s statements and the inconclusive nature of the audio recording, which failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Colby Ryan’s Current Relationship Status
At present, Colby Ryan remains unmarried and has not disclosed any new romantic relationships following his divorce. His primary focus has been on nurturing his daughter and navigating the emotional aftermath of losing his siblings while confronting his mother’s legal proceedings.
Across various media platforms like Dateline NBC and Netflix’s Sins of Our Mother, Colby has bravely shared his family’s harrowing journey. He has openly expressed his profound dismay and anger over his mother’s actions, harboring hopes for justice for Tylee and J.J.
Throughout this challenging time, Colby has found solace and support from his aunt Annie Cushing, Tylee’s paternal aunt. Annie has been a vocal advocate for the victims, utilizing her social media presence to provide updates on the case and commend Colby’s resilience in the face of tragedy.
Colby is anticipated to testify against his mother, Lori Vallow, and her husband, Chad Daybell, in their impending trial scheduled for January 2023. The couple faces a litany of charges including murder, conspiracy, obstruction, and fraud related to the deaths of Tylee, J.J., Tammy Daybell (Chad’s previous wife), and Charles Vallow (Lori’s previous husband). Both have entered pleas of not guilty and remain in custody without bail.
