Investigation Discovery, more commonly known as ID, has produced a new documentary called The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot.
The new doc has a two hour run time, and promises to do an in-depth breakdown of the story of Wanda Holloway, a Texas mother who was literally willing to do anything to ensure her teenage daughter would make her school cheerleading squad.
The trouble began when Wanda’s daughter Shanna narrowly missed becoming part of her junior high school squad two years in a row. Wanda allegedly decided that the problem was Shanna’s class mate Amber Heath.
What’s a mom to do? Apparently, Wanda believed that if she were to have Amber’s mother Verna killed, the girl would be too grief stricken to stay on the squad, and that Shanna would then have a better chance. After all, there would then be an open space to fill.
She reportedly asked her former brother-in-law Terry Harper to murder Verna…but instead of actually helping Wanda, Terry went to law enforcement. He had even taped a conversation during which Wanda offered to pay him off by giving him diamond earrings.
The ensuing trial in 1991 was a big sensation, and due to some mishaps and allegations, her conviction was overturned, leading to a second trial. The general public couldn’t get enough of the story, and Wanda was dubbed “Pom Pom Mom” by the press.
In the years since, the story has been featured on true crime series such as American Justice and City Confidential, adapted for Law & Order, and Holly Hunter even portrayed Wanda in the 1993 HBO film The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom.
The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot will premiere Weds., December 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET
For the new documentary, ID has interviewed several people who were involved with the case, including Wanda’s daughter Shanna. Shanna has been quiet about the story for the most part, so it should be interesting to hear what she has to say.
Also interviewed will be law enforcement, legal experts and news reporters, all of whom were caught up in the scandalous case. And ID promises that some surprising revelations will be made, including evidence that the whole story may have been an elaborate set-up.
Cream Productions produced The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot for Investigation Discovery. If you are unable to watch the premiere on tv, the documentary will most likely be available to stream on Discovery+ under the ID banner.