A 17-year-old student at Vista Ridge High School, AUBREY LAYNE VANLANDINGHAM (pictured), president of Vista Ridge High School's Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, is facing felony charges after killing another student’s show goat at the school’s barn.
The senseless death of the six-month-old goat, named Willy, happened in October 2024, and was triggered by VANLANDINGHAM’s jealousy. VANLANDINGHAM accuses Willy’s family of being “cheaters” in livestock competitions.
Security footage at the school’s barn stamped October 23, 2024, obtained by the Cedar Park Police Department, showed a female student, later identified as VANLANDINGHAM, getting into Willy’s pen, straddling him, and forcing a syringe of a toxic pesticide into Willy’s mouth three times. Willy attempted to escape but VANLANDINGHAM used the syringe two more times. Footage went on to show VANLANDINGHAM leaving the barn and going back twice to take pictures of Willy.
That very day, the 15-year-old daughter of Willy’s family, told her mother that Willy was “shaking or convulsing and not acting right”, so the mother took him to the vet. The vet, however, was unable to figure out what was happening.
The following day, October 24, 2024, the 15-year-old girl heard Willy in the barn “bellowing in pain” and rushed to him, but he sadly passed away in her arms.
A caprine pathologist performed a necropsy and results confirmed that the cause of death was due to organophosphate intoxication from phosmet.
Following an investigation into Willy’s death, Cedar Park Police arrested VANLANDINGHAM on November 22, 2024. She confessed to deliberately poisoning Willy. VANLANDINGHAM was charged with one felony count of cruelty to livestock, which could lead to up to two years in prison.
She was released from the Williamson County Jail the same day of her arrest after posting a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on January 15, 2024, at 9: 00 a.m.
VANLANDINGHAM has been banned from attending Vista Ridge High School while the legal proceedings are underway.
I reached out to Ms. Crestina Hardie, Leander ISD Chief Communications Officer and she kindly provided me with the following statement that the districted issued on December 6, 2024:
“Leander ISD is proud of its nationally recognized FFA program and saddened to hear of the loss of one of its livestock. In October, a goat died in the Vista Ridge High School Ag Barn. After law enforcement was notified, the district cooperated fully with the Cedar Park Police Department investigation. Upon signing a facilities use agreement, students in the program are provided badge access in order to check on animals outside of normal hours of operation. The district believes the security measures in place, including surveillance footage as well as routine supervision by agriculture science teachers, provided the evidence law enforcement needed to complete the investigation. While the district cannot comment on the status of the student, disciplinary action was taken consistent with policy and procedures. The district is grateful for the leadership at Vista Ridge HS for providing thoughtfulness and care for the community of students impacted by the event.”
I doubt VANLANDINGHAM will spend time behind bars. She is insane and I fear this is only the beginning…..
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VANLANDINGHAM’s mugshot shared from the Williamson County Sheriff's Office
