Megan McDowell interview #2

Friday, May 17, 2024 – 9:36 a.m.

Megan McDowell was Jasmine Ledbetter's best friend.

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

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Megan McDowell

Detective Armstrong: Thank you for coming in again, Megan. Would you please state your name and address for the record?

Megan McDowell: Yes, it's Megan McDowell, and I live at 1401 Chickasaw Road.

Detective Armstrong: Thank you. We just have a few follow-up questions we'd like to ask you.

Megan McDowell: Sure. How can I help you?

Detective Murphy: You told us before that you hadn't seen Jasmine for about a week before she died.

Megan McDowell: That's right.

Detective Murphy: Did you talk to her on the phone a lot?

Megan McDowell: Oh, yes, we talked almost every day.

Detective Armstrong: Did you talk to her on the day she was murdered?

Megan McDowell: No, I didn't. I talked to her the day before, though.

Detective Armstrong: What did you talk about?

Megan McDowell: Well, she was having some problems with someone calling her—late at night type of calls.

Detective Murphy: Did she tell you who was calling her?

Megan McDowell: She said it was Christopher's ex-girlfriend, Ashley.

Detective Murphy: Did she say what they talked about?

Megan McDowell: Well, it's not like they were having a conversation. She was just trying to get Jasmine to break up with Chris, saying really mean things to her like she wasn't good enough for him and he didn't really love her and crap like that.

Detective Murphy: How did Jasmine react to what Ashley was saying?

Megan McDowell: At first, she just blew it off, but after a while, it started to really bug her. She kept asking Chris to make Ashley stop, but how was he supposed to do that? I kept telling Jas to change her number, and I think she was about to do that. We couldn't think of any other way to get rid of that b***h.

Detective Murphy: Did Jasmine ever confront Ashley in person to try to get her to stop?

Megan McDowell: No. She was mad enough to a few times, but she knew nothing good would come of doing that.

Detective Murphy: Who else knew about Ashley's calls?

Megan McDowell: Just me and Chris, I think. Jas would never tell her mom about something like that because she would totally wig out.

Detective Murphy: Did she tell her father?

Megan McDowell: I doubt it. She didn't really talk to him about stuff like that.

Detective Murphy: Other than Ashley's calls, what else did you and Jasmine talk about?

Megan McDowell: Oh, just best friend kind of stuff.

Detective Armstrong: Like what?

Megan McDowell: Well, she did mention that she was thinking of moving out.

Detective Armstrong: Just mentioned?

Megan McDowell: Actually, we had always talked about getting a place together, and I told her she could move in with me whenever she wanted.

Detective Armstrong: Why would she want to do that? She was living at home for free. She didn't have to buy food, pay rent, pay utilities. Why would she want to move out?

Megan McDowell: She was kind of having a hard time living with her mom.

Detective Murphy: How so?

Megan McDowell: Her mom could be … how should I say this? Overbearing?

Detective Murphy: In what way?

Megan McDowell: She was always all up in Jasmine's business, wanting to know everything about what she was doing, telling her how to dress, how to do her hair, what time she had to be home, just everything. Like she was still a little kid.

Detective Armstrong: How did Jasmine deal with that?

Megan McDowell: She just didn't tell her as much anymore. The less her mom knew, the less she could try to get involved in.

Detective Armstrong: Did she ever lie to her mom? Maybe tell her she was doing one thing when she was really doing something else?

Megan McDowell: Well, yeah. Sometimes. It was the only way she could get a little space.

Detective Armstrong: Okay. So you offered to let Jasmine move in with you at your place? Did Jasmine tell her mom that?

Megan McDowell: She said she was going to, but I don't know if she did or not.

Detective Armstrong: How do you think her mom would've felt about Jasmine moving in with you?

Megan McDowell: Oh, she probably wouldn't have liked it at all, but I don't think she would kill her own daughter over it if that's what you're getting at. I mean, knowing her mom, I'm sure she would still try to control Jasmine's life even if Jas wasn't living at home.

Detective Murphy: Remind us. Where were you last Saturday night, say, between 6:00 p.m. and midnight?

Megan McDowell: I was at home. Why?

Detective Murphy: Was anyone there with you?

Megan McDowell: No. Is that a problem?

Detective Murphy: Thanks again for talking to us today, Megan. We appreciate your time.

Megan McDowell: Oh, you're welcome.

Detective Armstrong: One last thing, Megan.

Megan McDowell: Yes?

Detective Armstrong: Was Jasmine at your residence lately?

Megan McDowell: About a week before she died, she came over.

Detective Murphy: So, if we were to ask for your consent to search your residence, you'd be fine with that?

Megan McDowell: Why would you want to search my place? You think I killed Jasmine? That's ridiculous.

Detective Armstrong: Everyone is a suspect until we find the killer.

Megan McDowell: Well, you have no right to blame me. I would never do anything to hurt her. Yes, I would have a problem with you searching my house. It's messed up for you to even think I would have something to do with her murder. I was her best friend. You two really don't have a clue who did this, do you?

Interview ended – 9:51 a.m.