With so many true crime documentaries releasing over the year, Investigation Discovery's The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot has seemingly gained a lot of traction, thanks to the controversial nature of the case. In the shocking case from 1991, Wanda Holloway allegedly tried to hire a hitman to kill Verna Heath, mother of the 14-year-old girl who had beaten her daughter, Shanna Holloway, to the cheerleading squad.
Wanda Holloway seemingly planned this because she thought if Verna Heath died, her daughter would be depressed enough to drop out of the squad, making room for Shanna. The nature of the crime and the relatively petty reason for which she tried to take a life have made this case quite a topic of discussion over the years. It has also had several representations on television and podcasts.
The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot has once again reignited the debate about Wanda's guilt, as she ultimately managed to get away with just a few months in prison, and her daughter, Shanna, continues to defend her for the attempted crime.
Reddit became a hot ground for discussion after The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot aired on December 18, 2024, and it continues to invite viewers with their opinions.
User Fine_Cryptographer20 summed up what everyone felt, writing:
"I 100% believe Wanda is guilty and is gaslighting her daughter."
Many other users shared similar thoughts about The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot subject.
"Both the mom and daughter come across as narcissists and/or sociopathic. Nothing is their fault and they're always the victim, and other people only seem to exist to serve a purpose for them."- another user wrote.
"Her daughter is in DEEP DEEP DENIAL! Still defending her to this day. She didn’t like her daddy bc he had rules and her mama didn’t."- another user said.
"And yeah honestly I don’t think this documentary will change your mind. If anything it’ll show how manipulative the mom is to still have Shanna thinking she was just a victim of a misunderstanding."- another user added.
This is one of those true crime cases that remain controversial throughout and do not have a resolution that most would agree to.
Where is The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot subject Wanda Holloway now?
Wanda Holloway was arrested in 1991 after Holloway's ex-brother-in-law, Terry Harper, reported her to the police for asking him to hire a hitman to kill her daughter's cheerleading rival's mother. Terry Harper also provided tapes to the police, which were used as key evidence in convicting her of the gruesome crime.
Though Wanda Holloway claimed that this was a setup by her ex-husband and Terry Harper, she was initially found guilty of the solicitation of capital murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison. This trial was judged as a mistrial and she went to trial a second time. This time, she got 10 years in prison, but ultimately got out after serving only six months. She was asked to serve the remaining 9.5 years on probation.
She got out and has lived a quiet life away from the spotlight since then. Shanna Harper has confirmed that her mother is still connected to the family and often visits them.
The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot covers this case in detail.