ABC 20/20 “Am I Next?” April 5 2024 Recap & Preview
Get ready for a riveting two-hour special on “20/20,” airing on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 9:01 to 11:00 p.m. EDT, on ABC, available the next day on Hulu. ABC News chief national correspondent Matt Gutman leads the investigation into a chilling murder case that shook Tennessee to its core.
When 36-year-old Bill Payne and 23-year-old Billie Jean Hayworth were tragically found shot dead in their Tennessee home, the scene was hauntingly tragic: their 7-month-old son, unharmed, cradled in his deceased mother’s arms. Initial suspicions pointed to a professional hit, but as investigators delved deeper, they uncovered a shocking truth.
The young couple had become entangled in a bitter online feud, ultimately falling victim to a deadly catfishing scheme. Matt Gutman meticulously unravels the incriminating trail left behind, including hundreds of social media posts, texts, and emails, exposing a web of deceit and revealing an unlikely mastermind behind the sinister plot.
With new interviews from key figures in the case, including Joe Woodard, the assistant chief of Mountain City Police, former prosecutor Matthew Roark, and other central players like Barbara and Jenelle Potter—the mother-daughter duo accused in the murder plot—viewers are taken on a journey through the intricacies of the investigation.
Additional insights from Tracy Greenwell, Payne’s sister, Hayworth’s sisters Beverly Morrell and Janie Hayworth, and Lindsey Thomas, a friend of the murdered couple, provide further depth to this gripping narrative.
Don’t miss the shocking revelations and compelling storytelling on “20/20” as Matt Gutman unveils the truth behind this tragic murder case. Tune in to ABC on April 5 for an unforgettable two-hour event.
What Happened to Bill Payne & Billie Jean Hayworth?
Jenelle Potter, convicted for the murders of Billie Jean Hayworth and Billy Payne, denies any desire for their deaths despite the bitter online feud between them. She insists she never wished harm upon them and refutes the prosecution’s claims that she orchestrated the killings through manipulation and a fabricated online persona.
Potter’s defense centers on the contention that she was a victim of cyberbullying and harassment, particularly from Hayworth, which she sought to stop rather than escalate. However, prosecutors allege that Potter, living with her strict parents and immersed in social media, harbored resentment towards the couple, especially due to her crush on Payne.
The case took a bizarre turn when Potter’s boyfriend, Jamie Curd, admitted involvement in the murders and implicated Potter’s father, Marvin Potter, as the shooter. Marvin claimed he acted to protect his daughter from perceived threats, supposedly communicated by a mysterious online figure named Chris, whom the family believed to be a CIA agent.
However, investigations revealed that Chris was a creation of Jenelle Potter herself, manipulating her parents and boyfriend with fictitious emails. The evidence suggested a calculated effort by Potter to goad her father into action, with her mother, Barbara Potter, also implicated in the plot.
Despite their claims of innocence, Jenelle and Barbara Potter were both found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Marvin Potter was also convicted, while Curd accepted a plea deal. The family plans to appeal their convictions, maintaining their innocence.
The case underscores the dark consequences of online manipulation and the complexities of familial relationships amidst tragedy. Jenelle Potter’s emotional response during the interview reflects the profound impact of the case on her life.
