Marisha Jeter, Pernell Thompson: ‘Fatal Attraction’ Spotlights Missing Teen Cheerleader, Found Dead In South Carolina River
Marisha Jeter, the 16-year-old South Carolina teen who was missing and later found dead in a river, will be the next interesting crime case to air on TV One’s Fatal Attraction. For several seasons now, Fatal Attraction has kept viewers riveted with crime cases that are affecting the African American community. Monday night’s episode will tell the story of a beautiful black cheerleader and class president who was lured to her death by a wife who was hell bent on making her husband prove his love for her. Telling her story tomorrow night will be journalists, crime experts, police officers, and family members who can offer some details on the case. The killers, Pernell and Yolanda Thompson, were both convicted in the teen’s death.
The sad story of Marisha Jeter made headlines in 2008. That’s when Marisha’s father reported her missing after she didn’t come home. The poor family members did everything they could to find Marisha, even when their gut feelings indicated that she wasn’t okay. Sadly, they were right. Marisha’s car was found burned out, and her body was found days later after a student photographer discovered it while taking pictures from the bridge. At first glance, the body looked like a mannequin. But as the art student steadied her lens to take a second look, it became all too apparent that this was no mannequin. It was a human being.
First responders confirmed the discovery, leaving the town and Jeter’s family shocked and in disbelief. The Union County High School student had everything going for herself. She was cute, talented, intelligent, and well on her way to carving out a successful life for herself. However, remaining in close contact with a man that she had previously dated—a man who had married, ultimately lead to a demonic plot to end her precious life. Legacy describes her this way.
“16-year-old Marisha Jeter never let her positive attitude waver, and she served as a motivator and source of encouragement to her family and friends. Her future was bright. She was an honor roll student. A Beta Club member. A cheerleader. Junior class president at Union County High School. She sang in her church and played flute in the school band. She had a bright pink car that was unmistakably hers. She wanted to be an obstetrician.”
“She was one of the sweetest girls you could ever meet.()She had a lot of potential. As smart as she w as, she could’ve been anything. She had a beautiful singing voice. She sings like an angel. It’s just a shame she was taken from us.”
Police were led to speak with Pernell Thompson after it was discovered that the older man and former football star had been communicating with her. In the end, Thompson confessed to killing Jeter and stated that he did it to show his wife, Yolanda, how much he loved her. The confession meant that Pernell Thompson would not receive the death penalty. Yolanda Thompson, the one who wanted Pernell to kill Marisha Jeter to prove his love for her, is the same woman who was ready and willing to testify against him. Yolanda also pleaded guilty to murder.
An autopsy report confirmed that Marisha Jeter had been stabbed around 30 times. Pernell’s wife, Yolanda, helped hold her down and helped get rid of the body, according to Group State.
“Marisha left home Thursday night and never returned. Police believe Pernell Clayton Thompson and his wife, Yolanda, asked her to meet them in the parking lot of the Union County Family YMCA. She got there and was stabbed multiple times. It was a stab wound to the neck, which cut a main artery, that caused her to die.”
Check local listings to see when the Fatal Attraction episode featuring Marisha Jeter’s story will air.
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