From "Hiccup Girl" to Convicted Murderer: The Shocking Fall of Jennifer Mee
The rise and fall of Jennifer Mee, once known as the "Hiccup Girl," showcases how quickly fame can transform into infamy. In 2007, she captured America's attention with her persistent hiccups that wouldn't stop for weeks. Her appearances on national television made her instantly recognizable, but few could have predicted her eventual involvement in a murder case.
By 2010, Jennifer's life took a dark turn when she was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Shannon Griffin. Though she didn't pull the trigger, prosecutors argued she had lured Griffin to a meeting under false pretenses, setting up what became a fatal robbery. The case raised difficult questions about criminal liability and intent, particularly in Florida where accomplices can be charged with murder if a death occurs during another crime.
Key Takeaways
Jennifer Mee's transformation from media sensation to convicted murderer demonstrates how quickly life circumstances can change.
The case hinged on whether she knowingly lured the victim to his death, even though she didn't physically commit the murder.
Florida's legal system allows accomplices to be charged with first-degree murder when deaths occur during other crimes, resulting in Mee's life sentence.
Jennifer Mee's Descent into Infamy
From Hiccup Fame to Criminal Conviction
Jennifer Mee first gained national attention in January 2023 when she developed persistent hiccups during a science class. Her condition, which continued 24 hours a day, transformed her into a media sensation. Initially, people found her situation somewhat amusing, but the humor quickly faded as her affliction persisted.
The public's perception of Mee dramatically shifted in 2010 when she became entangled in a murder case. The victim was 22-year-old Shannon Griffin, a talented high school football player who had relocated from Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.
On the night of the incident, Griffin dressed nicely, applied cologne, and told his cousin he was going on a date. He traveled by motor scooter to meet Mee in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. According to investigators, Mee had contacted Griffin to arrange what he believed would be a social meeting, possibly involving a small marijuana transaction.
Detective Dave Wasinski, the lead homicide detective on the case, initially considered the crime might have been a drug deal or robbery gone wrong. The investigation quickly revealed Mee's central role in the events. She had lured Griffin to an alleyway where two accomplices, Lamont Newton and Laron Rayford, confronted him.
A physical struggle ensued, during which Griffin appeared to be gaining the upper hand. This likely prompted the fatal decision to use the weapon that had been brought to the scene. Under Florida law, anyone involved in a robbery resulting in death can be charged with murder, regardless of who pulled the trigger.
When arrested, Mee made a distressing phone call to her mother:
"I'm in jail for murder in the first degree... I ain't killing nobody... I set everything up."
In court, Mee was charged with first-degree murder and held without bond. The case fascinated the public because it raised a fundamental question: even though Mee didn't pull the trigger, had she knowingly lured a man to his death?
Mee now serves a life sentence with minimal possibility of release. During a prison interview, she maintained vague recollections about the night's events, claiming she believed she was simply facilitating a drug sale rather than setting up a robbery or date.
Her mother refuses to accept the "murderer" label despite the conviction. Meanwhile, Mee acknowledged the consequences of her choices: "I will carry this title for the rest of my life."
The Critical Evening
The Arranged Meeting
Jennifer Mee, known as the "hiccup girl" due to her earlier media fame, contacted 22-year-old Shanan Griffin on October 23, 2010. Griffin, a talented high school football player who had relocated from Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina, believed he was meeting Jennifer for a social encounter. He prepared carefully for what he thought would be a date, putting on cologne and dressing in new clothes before riding his motor scooter to downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. Griffin had mentioned his plans to his cousin, clearly indicating he was looking forward to spending time with Jennifer.
The reality of the situation was quite different from Griffin's expectations. Jennifer later admitted in interviews that her actual motivation was to facilitate a drug transaction, specifically the sale of marijuana. She had arranged for Griffin to meet her near an empty house that was for sale at the time.
Shanan Griffin's Tragic End
When Griffin arrived at the meeting location, Jennifer directed him down an alleyway, claiming the people selling marijuana were waiting there. Instead of drug dealers, Griffin encountered Lamont Newton and Laron Rayford who confronted him. Evidence suggests they demanded money from Griffin, turning what he thought was a date into a robbery attempt.
A physical struggle ensued between Griffin and the two men. Reports indicate Griffin was likely winning the fight until someone pulled a gun. The confrontation escalated tragically, resulting in Griffin being fatally shot. Under Florida law, all participants in a robbery that results in death can be charged with murder, regardless of who pulled the trigger.
Following the incident, Jennifer called her mother from Pinellas County Jail, tearfully admitting: "I set everything up." Though she maintained she didn't kill anyone directly, the prosecution successfully argued that she had knowingly lured Griffin to his death. Detective Dave Wasinski, who investigated the case, determined Jennifer was the "prime person" who contacted Griffin and brought him to the location specifically for a robbery.
The Fateful Night
The Planned Date
Shanan Griffin prepared for what he believed would be a pleasant evening on October 23, 2010. He dressed in new clothes, applied cologne, and informed his cousin he was going on a date. Griffin then rode his motor scooter to downtown St. Petersburg, anticipating a social encounter with Jennifer Mee, a young woman who had gained national attention as the "hiccup girl" for her previous medical condition.
Jennifer, however, had different intentions for the meeting. She later acknowledged that her goal was to facilitate a drug transaction involving marijuana. While Griffin may have been aware that some marijuana might be purchased during their time together, he primarily viewed the arrangement as a social date with Jennifer.
Shanan Griffin's Tragic End
When Griffin arrived at the designated meeting spot in downtown St. Petersburg, Jennifer directed him down an alleyway near a vacant house that was for sale. She told him this was where they would meet the marijuana sellers. Instead, Griffin was confronted by two men - Lamont Newton and Laron Rayford.
The encounter quickly turned violent as the men demanded Griffin's money. A physical struggle broke out, with evidence suggesting Griffin initially had the upper hand in the fight. The situation escalated fatally when a gun was introduced into the confrontation. Griffin, who had survived Hurricane Katrina only to rebuild his life in Florida, was shot and killed during the robbery attempt.
Detective Dave Wasinski, one of the first officers at the crime scene, quickly determined this was either "a drug deal that went bad or a robbery that went bad." Through subsequent investigation, authorities concluded Jennifer had deliberately lured Griffin to the location as part of a planned robbery. Under Florida law, all participants in a robbery resulting in death can be charged with first-degree murder, regardless of who fired the fatal shot.
Investigation Insights
Detective's Perspective on the Case
Lead homicide detective Dave Wasinski was one of the first officers to arrive at the crime scene in downtown St. Petersburg. His initial assessment considered common scenarios for the area - possibly a drug deal gone wrong or a robbery attempt. The victim, 22-year-old Shanan Griffin, was a talented former high school football player who had relocated from Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.
The investigation quickly centered on Jennifer Mee, who had previously gained national attention as the "hiccup girl." Detective Wasinski's team determined that Jennifer had been the primary contact with the victim, deliberately bringing him to the location where the crime occurred.
According to the detective, Jennifer essentially "lured" Griffin to the scene where accomplices were waiting to rob him. Evidence suggested Griffin believed he was going on a social outing with Jennifer - he had dressed nicely, applied cologne, and informed family members about his plans for a date.
Suspects' Interrogations
During initial questioning, Jennifer Mee provided inconsistent information about the events leading to Griffin's death. In her police interview with Detective Gary Gibson on October 24, 2010, she initially avoided mentioning the robbery aspect of the crime, instead suggesting the violence stemmed from a personal dispute involving another individual named Theon.
Later, in a recorded call from jail to her mother, Jennifer made damaging admissions:
Mother: "Who'd you kill?"
Jennifer: "I ain't killing nobody."
Mother: "Well then how are they charging you with murder?"
Jennifer: "Because I set everything up."
When interviewed in prison, Jennifer claimed her only intention was to sell drugs and denied knowing about any planned robbery. She expressed difficulty remembering "100% facts" about the night in question, claiming vague recollection of critical details despite the significance of these events.
Investigators determined that accomplices Lamont Newton and Laron Rayford confronted Griffin in an alleyway after Jennifer led him there. A physical struggle ensued, with evidence suggesting Griffin was initially winning the fight before someone produced a firearm. Under Florida law, all participants in a robbery resulting in death can be charged with first-degree murder, regardless of who delivered the fatal blow.
Legal Implications
The case of Jennifer Mee presents complex legal challenges around culpability in criminal acts where multiple individuals are involved. Her conviction demonstrates how Florida law addresses participants in crimes resulting in death, even when they didn't directly cause the fatality.
Murder Charges and Legal Proceedings
Jennifer Mee faced first-degree murder charges despite not physically pulling the trigger in Shannon Griffin's death. Under Florida law, individuals who participate in robberies that result in death can be charged with murder regardless of who actually committed the fatal act. Prosecutors argued Mee was the essential connection that led to Griffin's death, as she contacted him and brought him to the location where the robbery and subsequent homicide occurred.
The legal theory applied in this case focuses on Mee's role in setting up the situation that resulted in Griffin's death. Detective Dave Wasinski, who investigated the crime, determined that Mee was the "prime person" who contacted Griffin and lured him to the location where Lamont Newton and Laron Rayford confronted him.
Evidence presented at trial included:
Griffin's appearance (dressed up, wearing cologne)
Communications between Mee and Griffin
Testimony about Griffin believing he was going on a date
Details of the struggle that occurred during the robbery attempt
After her arrest, Mee initially avoided mentioning the robbery in her police interview, instead suggesting there was a personal conflict. However, investigators quickly determined the true nature of the incident. The court found probable cause, and Mee was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment with limited possibility of release.
The Emotional Turmoil
Jennifer's Prison Reflections
Jennifer struggles with her identity since her incarceration. "I will carry this title for the rest of my life," she says, contemplating her actions with evident regret. The weight of being labeled a murderer has replaced her previous public identity as "the hiccup girl." When confronted by another inmate who called her "the hiccup killer," Jennifer could only walk away silently, recognizing there was "no justifying what took place that night."
During her prison interview, Jennifer appeared hesitant when discussing details about the night of Shannon Griffin's death. Despite having ample time to reflect on the sequence of events while serving her life sentence, she claimed to be unable to recall critical information. "I don't remember 100% facts of what had really led up to everything that night," she stated, a response that seemed at odds with the gravity of her situation.
Her prison life now includes small personal touches like tattoos, though she remains restricted in what she can discuss about certain aspects of her incarceration. When questioned about Griffin, Jennifer maintained she believed they were meeting for a drug transaction, not a date as he had told his cousin.
Family Reactions and Coping
Jennifer's family has experienced profound distress since her arrest. Her mother's reaction to the news was captured in their jail phone call:
Phone Conversation:
Jennifer: "I'm in jail."
Mother: "Why are you in jail?"
Jennifer: "For murder in the first degree."
Mother: "Who'd you kill?"
Jennifer: "I ain't killing nobody."
Mother: "Well then how are they charging you with murder?"
Jennifer: "Because I set everything up."
The brief, fragmented exchange revealed the sudden reality both were facing.
Jennifer's mother publicly expressed being "worried about my daughter" and when asked about the family's experience, she simply stated they were "going through hell." The family has sought privacy during this difficult time, overwhelmed by their daughter's transformation from media sensation to murder defendant.
The case has created multiple tragedies—for Griffin's family who lost their loved one, and for Jennifer's family who watched their daughter go from a teenager known for persistent hiccups to someone serving a life sentence with little possibility of release.
Public Perception
The Jennifer Mee case captivated public attention, transforming her from a media curiosity to a figure at the center of a murder investigation. Her trajectory from "hiccup girl" to convicted murderer created a stark contrast that fascinated the public. Many expressed shock at how someone previously known for a harmless medical condition could become implicated in such a serious crime.
Prison interviews revealed Mee's awareness of her dual public identities. She recounted being called "the hiccup killer" by another inmate, demonstrating how thoroughly both labels had merged in the public consciousness. The case presented a complex portrait that challenged public perceptions about fame, criminality, and judgment.
Media Coverage and American Fascination
Media outlets extensively covered the dramatic shift in Jennifer Mee's public image. News reports emphasized the jarring transition from her initial fame to criminal charges, with headlines highlighting the contrast between "hiccup girl" and "murderer." Television segments frequently mentioned how America was "gripped by the unfolding story," illustrating the public's intense interest in her case.
The murder case contained elements that particularly captured media attention:
The victim, Shannon Griffin, was portrayed as a sympathetic figure who had already overcome hardship after relocating due to Hurricane Katrina
The perceived betrayal of Griffin being lured to what he thought was a date
The dramatic contrast between Mee's previous innocent public persona and the serious criminal charges
The recorded jail call between Mee and her mother became central to public perception, with her mother's distress ("Going Through Hell") and confusion resonating with audiences. In prison interviews, Mee expressed regret about her associations and choices, acknowledging that she would "carry this title for the rest of my life."
