Woman with long, dark, curly hair pictured with two dogs

Shannon Ledbetter interview

Monday, June 10, 2019 – 5:34 p.m.

Shannon Ledbetter is the victim's stepmother.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy interviewed her at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants:

Detective Murphy: Thank you for coming in today, Mrs. Ledbetter. Would you please state your name and address for the record?

Shannon Ledbetter: Yes, my name is Shannon Ledbetter, and my address is 310 Lewis Lane in Oxford. I live with my husband, Kevin Ledbetter. This has been so hard for him. Do you have any idea who the killer may be?

Detective Armstrong: We're working on that, ma'am.

Shannon Ledbetter: Well, for Kevin's sake, I hope you find someone soon. The poor man is just beside himself with grief.

Detective Murphy: This must be tough on you too then. I mean, she was your stepdaughter. You spent time with her, didn't you?

Shannon Ledbetter: Well, of course, I spent time with her. She came over quite often.

Detective Murphy: To see your husband?

Shannon Ledbetter: Yes, to see Kevin and me. We got along very well.

Detective Armstrong: So you and Jasmine never had any problems?

Shannon Ledbetter: Other than just little household rules, nothing.

Detective Murphy: Household rules? Like what?

Shannon Ledbetter: Oh, just the typical things. For instance, putting her drinks on coasters, taking her shoes off to come in the house, or hanging up her towel after a shower. Just little things I like to have done in my home that were new for her.

Detective Armstrong: Other than that, the two of you didn't have any problems?

Shannon Ledbetter: No, none at all.

Detective Armstrong: How about your husband? We're he and Jasmine getting along okay?

Shannon Ledbetter: Of course. Kevin adored that girl.

Detective Armstrong: No disagreements between them?

Shannon Ledbetter: No, not that I know of.

Detective Murphy: How about you and Kevin? Are the two of you getting along?

Shannon Ledbetter: Well, as I said, he's taking this whole murder very hard, and that does strain our relationship some.

Detective Murphy: How about before the murder?

Shannon Ledbetter: Our marriage is perfect. We have no problems. We don't argue, and we have complete faith and trust in each other. We have a very open relationship. We communicate about everything and can tell each other anything.

Detective Armstrong: Where were you on Saturday evening?

Shannon Ledbetter: Me? You can't think I had anything to do with this.

Detective Armstrong: We're asking everyone, ma'am.

Shannon Ledbetter: Well, I was at home.

Detective Armstrong: Alone?

Shannon Ledbetter: Of course not. Kevin was with me.

Detective Murphy: The entire evening?

Shannon Ledbetter: What do you mean, Detective? You can't possibly believe Kevin would have anything to do with this, do you?

Detective Murphy: So he wasn't home the whole time?

Shannon Ledbetter: Yes, he was with me the entire evening.

Detective Armstrong: Do you know of anyone who might want to hurt Jasmine?

Shannon Ledbetter: She was a delightful young woman. I don't know that I would let my daughter run around with pink streaks in her hair, but it wasn't my place to say anything.

Detective Armstrong: Did Jasmine ever tell you she was having trouble with anyone?

Shannon Ledbetter: No, she didn't confide in me.

Detective Armstrong: If you had to come up with someone who would be capable of doing this, who would you think of?

Shannon Ledbetter: I can't think of anyone, Detective. Possibly someone she knew? I didn't know all of her friends.

Detective Murphy: Well, thank you for coming in today, Mrs. Ledbetter. If we have any further questions. We'll be in touch.

Shannon Ledbetter: You're welcome.

Interview ended – 5:53 p.m.