Brandon Boudreaux Shares His Story in ‘Unthinkable’

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Brandon Boudreaux narrowly escaped death when a gunman opened fire on him outside his home in Arizona in 2019. This failed assassination attempt uncovered a murder-for-hire plot tied to Lori Vallow Daybell. Prosecutors stated she enlisted her brother, Alex Cox, to kill Boudreaux due to his contentious divorce from her niece, Melani Pawlowski.

On October 2, 2019, Cox allegedly shot at Boudreaux from a parked Jeep as Boudreaux parked his Tesla at his Gilbert home. The attacker fired after opening the vehicle’s rear window, hitting Boudreaux’s car door and breaking the window. Though Cox was identified as the shooter, he died in December 2019 without facing charges.

An Arizona jury found Vallow guilty of conspiring to murder Boudreaux in June 2025. Earlier that year, she was also convicted of plotting to kill her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, who Cox shot in July 2019. These convictions followed Vallow’s Idaho trial in 2023, where she was found guilty of murdering her children, Tylee Ryan and Joshua ‘JJ’ Vallow, and conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, Chad Daybell’s former wife. She was also convicted of grand theft for claiming Social Security benefits of her children.

Brandon Boudreaux, targeted in a failed murder-for-hire plot involving Lori Vallow Daybell (Courtesy of Brandon Boudreaux)

Sharing His Story

Boudreaux shares his experiences in his book, “Unthinkable.” Originally written for his four children, he wanted them to understand his choices and the events that unfolded. “I’m sure I made some mistakes,” he said, noting his desire to provide closure and insight for his children.

Encouraged by loved ones to publish the book, Boudreaux delayed public release until criminal proceedings concluded, to avoid disrupting ongoing investigations. “I needed to wait for the legal processes,” he said. Now, he intends to offer his perspective on these life-altering events.

Divorce and Shooting

Boudreaux’s marriage to Pawlowski ended in 2019 as she became closer to Vallow. Divorce proceedings began in July 2019, with subsequent custody battles over their children. Court documents from 2020 alleged Pawlowski believed Boudreaux was possessed by a “dark entity,” as suggested by Chad Daybell. The belief in supernatural intervention further complicated the situation.

Although Pawlowski hasn’t faced charges related to the shooting, Boudreaux remarried in 2020. The shooting and divorce shook his ability to trust. “Having someone shoot at me and then believing they are still looking for me… trust becomes difficult,” he stated.

Investigation Remains Active

Boudreaux refrained from divulging details on the shooting investigation, preferring to leave those responsibilities to law enforcement. The Gilbert Police Department confirmed the ongoing investigation into the 2019 incident.

Everybody Has Value

“Unthinkable” encourages readers to recognize personal value and resilience. Boudreaux believes challenges shouldn’t dictate one’s responses. “Hardships don’t determine your actions,” he emphasized, hoping to inspire readers through his story.