What happened to Verna Heath? Details explored ahead of The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot

Verna Heath was at the heart of one of the most shocking criminal plots in Texas history. One of the most bizarre criminal plots to emerge in U.S. history surfaced with the infamous Texas cheerleader scandal of the early 1990s. At the heart of this was Wanda Holloway, a mother hell-bent on ensuring her daughter made the cheerleading team, no matter the cost.

Her scheme involved targeting Verna Heath, the mother of her daughter's rival, Amber Heath. Wanda tried to solicit a hitman to murder Verna, thinking this would eliminate Amber's competition. Fortunately, the plan failed; hence, Verna's life was saved, though the experience left a mark on that family and community.

The case drew national attention since it highlighted the extreme measures people will take to get what they want. It also highlighted the horrific after-effects of obsession and competition, leaving Verna Heath and her family in shock.

With the revival of public interest in this case with a new documentary, The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot, most of the people are reliving the events that nearly killed Verna. The special will air on December 18 at 9/8c on ID.

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The plot to kill Verna Heath

In 1991, Wanda Holloway concocted a diabolical scheme to guarantee her daughter Shanna would get one of the most coveted spots on the cheerleading squad. Her target was Verna Heath, whose daughter, Amber, had been competing against Shanna for the position.

Halloway offered $2500 as collateral (image via YouTube)

Wanda believed that killing Verna would distract Amber, forcing her to withdraw from the competition. To carry out her plan, Wanda approached her former brother-in-law, Terry Harper, and offered him $2500 and a pair of diamond earrings to find a hitman to kill Verna. Terry, alarmed by the plot, alerted authorities.

He worked with law enforcement to record conversations with Wanda, gathering incriminating evidence. Wanda’s plan was fully exposed, and she was arrested before any harm could come to Verna Heath.

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Heath’s life after the plot

It would forever leave a psychological scar on the family as Verna Heath would later reflect on. Verna had never suffered any actual harm, yet the idea of being the target for murder was to be quite an ordeal to live through.

Heath didn't suffer any harm (image via YouTube)

Verna would much later speak to the psychological effects that trauma and fear her family endured from this investigation and the national media attention put upon her daughter Amber by the public eye.

In the years following the scandal, Verna chose to remain in the background, focusing on her family and trying to put the ordeal behind her. As if she were trying to show how resilient people can be, despite unimaginable circumstances, she managed to rebuild her life under the intense scrutiny of the media at the time.

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Wanda Holloway's conviction and public backlash

Wanda Holloway was arrested and charged with solicitation of capital murder. The prosecutors presented taped conversations between her and Terry Harper, showing intent to kill Verna Heath, during the trial. The jury found Wanda guilty, sentencing her to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. She served only six months before she was released on probation.

The case caused a national outcry and most people felt that her sentence was too lenient.

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Verna Heath narrowly escaped being a murder-for-hire victim due to obsession and rivalry. Her life was forever altered through Wanda Holloway's plot, but Verna's strength in this kind of traumatic event distinguishes her. The case represents a stark reminder of the devastating effects of jealousy and extreme action taken in pursuit of personal ambition.

As the story resurfaces in The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot, Verna Heath's situation remains a critical component to understanding this infamous crime.