“She’s not crazy. She is human”- Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot subject Shanna Harper defends her mother Wanda Holloway

The 1991 case of Wanda Holloway, Shanna Harper's mother, was one of murder-for-hire. The nation was shocked by her actions, and Wanda, dubbed "The Pom-Pom Mom," was convicted of attempting to arrange the murder of Verna Heath, the mother of her daughter's cheerleading rival.

As per the New York Post on December 18, 2024, according to police, Holloway intended to emotionally destabilize Amber Heath, her daughter's cheerleading rival, so that she would withdraw from the competition. Now, three decades later, Wanda's daughter, Shanna Harper, has spoken out in defense of her mother.

The new documentary Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot, which premiered on December 18 on ID and is available to stream on Max, uncovers the details of this case. Meanwhile, Shanna shared her side of the story with The Post. As per the New York Post, she said:

"[People] think that she's crazy or evil... She’s not crazy. She's human."

Shanna is 47 now and lives in Texas, where she works as an educator. Reflecting on how the case affected her life, Shanna defined the documentary as a healing process, but also as an opportunity to share with others how this incident transformed her into the person she is today.

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What happened in the case highlighted in Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot?

Wanda Holloway was arrested in 1991 for soliciting the murder of Verna Heath through her former brother-in-law, Terry Harper. Holloway believed that her death would divert her daughter Amber Heath's attention, and thus give Shanna a greater opportunity for the highly coveted spot on the cheerleading team.

However, Terry Harper turned Holloway in and agreed to wear a wire during an illicit conversation with her, which led to her arrest. Holloway was convicted of solicitation for capital murder, and she was sentenced to 10 years in prison. However, she served only six months before being released on probation.

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How did the incident affect Shanna Harper?

According to the New York Post, Shanna was just 14 years old when this incident happened. She said,

“I was 14 when it happened. So I was at that pivotal age where you’re figuring out who you are and discovering yourself and what your interests are... and start to think about the future a little bit. When this happened, it just totally destroyed my personality... I became very introverted instead of extroverted and didn't want to be even noticed."

She further recalled how she felt "humiliated" and "embarrassed" because of all the media attention to the case.

"I wanted to disappear because I was so embarrassed and humiliated. It was shameful. It was traumatic, and I didn't deal with it for many, many years," she shared.

Shanna also explained that she faced significant emotional and social fallout. While the public’s anger was primarily directed at Wanda, Shanna still felt the sting of being associated with the case.

“I’m sure that [the hate] was aimed more at my mom. That still hurt me, too,” she said.

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Shanna Harper’s relationship with her mother today

Although Shanna keeps in touch with her mother, she still thinks Wanda might have been set up by Terry Harper, who she claims has framed her. Shanna further shared that she believes her mother wouldn't have eventually gone through with her plan.

"I can't know for sure, but I don't think so. I really do believe that she tried to get out of the situation and wasn’t able to," Shanna said.

She also emphasized the complexity of Holloway's personality, saying,

"She’s also got a really fun side to her. She’s got that personality that draws you in... And she's got her good days and bad days, just like everybody else."

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Shanna Harper's path to recovery

Apart from featuring in the documentary, as per the NY Post, Shanna has taken to helping more people overcome depression through online courses on her own website called "Smile More, Worry Less." Shanna refers to her experience as that which transformed her from bad to good.

Currently, Shanna Harper resides in Texas with her two sons. She has not spoken to Amber Heath since the incident occurred; instead, she focuses on maintaining a balanced life, as well as helping people through her platform.

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Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot remains a reminder of how competitive pressures can spiral out of control. For Shanna Harper, the case is a defining moment in her life, shaping her in ways she could not have imagined.

Through this documentary and through her own doing, Shanna Harper continues to share her story, illuminating the long-term effects that such an unusual and public crime case can cause.