Where are Amber and Verna Heath now? Details about The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot subjects explored

Amber and Verna Heath were the focus of a major crime that had everyone's attention during the early 1990s. Wanda Holloway, desperate for her daughter Shanna to win the cheerleading competition in 1991, plotted Verna's murder. She believed it would eliminate Verna's daughter, Amber—Shanna's chief competitor. The ordeal turned their lives upside down, thrusting them into the public spotlight.

Investigation Discovery's The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot revisits this case and details its key facts, including its impact on the lives of those involved. Verna Heath is now a legal services professional in Texas, and Amber, now Amber Hawthorne, lives a private life, focusing on her family.

The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot documentary aired on Investigation Discovery (ID) on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, and streamed on Max the following day, Thursday, December 19, 2024.

Verna Heath's life after the ordeal

The trauma of Wanda's plot had a deep impact on Verna. In 1996, a mistrial forced her to relive the ordeal when Wanda faced a second trial, as per The Cinemaholic. Although Wanda served only six months in prison before being released on parole, Verna Heath decided to focus on reclaiming her life. She used her experience navigating the legal system to help others, eventually pursuing a law degree at Lee College in Baytown, Texas.

Today, Verna is an Independent Associate in LegalShield, a law firm that specializes in identity theft protection and legal services for families, individuals, and small businesses. She utilizes her knowledge for the betterment of other people who are facing a legal and personal challenge.

Verna Heath is still active in her community and is very involved with her family, which consists of four children and ten grandchildren. She has used her experiences to rebuild her life and support others facing similar challenges.

Amber Heath's life now

Amber Heath, now known as Amber Hawthorne, has chosen to live a private life away from the public eye. After 1991, Amber continued to move forward and build her own family.

Amber's life mainly centers around her role in motherhood and avoids the limelight of public discussions on tragic incidents involving her. By maintaining a low profile, she avoided public attention and prioritized her family's well-being.

Verna and Amber Heath's ordeal: A shocking plot to murder

Verna Heath was a devoted wife, mother, and instructor of dance and twirling in Channelview, Texas. Her focus had been on her daughter Amber, who was a star cheerleader. Their lives were forever changed one night in January 1991 when police told Verna Heath that Wanda Holloway had planned to hire a hitman to kill her.

Wanda's reason for her obsession was to ensure that her daughter Shanna could make the cheerleading squad. She saw Amber as an obstacle to her daughter making the team. Wanda offered her former brother-in-law, Terry Harper, $2,500 to commit the murder.

However, Terry alerted the police and agreed to wear a wire to gather evidence. Wanda's plan to murder Verna Heath was foiled before it could be executed, and she was charged with conspiracy to commit capital murder.

In the following trial in June 1991, Verna and Amber were present in court daily and saw Wanda's conviction and her receiving a sentence of 15 years imprisonment.

For more details about the case, watch The Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot documentary on ID.

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