Texas Teen Cheerleader Charged with Felony for Poisoning Rival’s Goat
A 17-year-old cheerleader in Texas, Aubrey Vanlandingham, is facing felony charges after allegedly poisoning and killing a rival’s competitive show goat out of jealousy. Vanlandingham, a senior at Vista Ridge High School, confessed to poisoning the 6-month-old goat, Willy, on October 23. Security footage from the school’s barn facility showed Vanlandingham using a drench gun to force-feed Willy a toxic pesticide, despite the goat’s attempts to escape. She returned to the barn twice to check on the goat before notifying the owner’s mother that Willy wasn’t feeling well.
Vanlandingham told police that she killed Willy because she believed the goat’s owner’s 15-year-old daughter was “a cheater” in livestock shows, though investigators believe her actions were driven by jealousy rather than any actual cheating. Vanlandingham also admitted to poisoning Willy multiple times over several days.
A necropsy confirmed that Willy died from organophosphate intoxication, caused by phosmet, a pesticide commonly used in livestock. Investigators found that Vanlandingham had searched online for lethal doses of bleach and other poisoning methods, followed by a search for “How to clear search history,” suggesting an attempt to cover her tracks.
Despite being named president of her school’s Future Farmers of America chapter, Vanlandingham’s jealousy toward her younger competitor led to the alleged crime. She was arrested on November 22 and charged with cruelty to livestock animals, a felony in Texas. Vanlandingham was released on a $5,000 bond and has been banned from attending school while the case is ongoing. Her court hearing is set for January 15, and if convicted, she could face up to two years in prison.
