The Fraudulent Will: A Scheme Born from Greed

Matt Jacobs, a survivor of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, amassed a $1.7 million settlement before his tragic death in a 2015 car crash. His teenage son, Jordan Jacobs, was his sole heir—until a will surfaced days later, naming Jacobs’ fiancée, Alex Peterson (Donna Herring’s daughter), as the primary beneficiary. Investigators soon discovered the document was forged, created after Jacobs’ death using an online legal service, Formswift.com, under Herring’s direction.

Herring’s scheme was meticulous:

• She used her sister Marion Kinley’s debit card to draft the will, naming Alex as executor and beneficiary.
• Marion and her husband, John Kinley Jr., signed as witnesses despite knowing Jacobs was already dead.
• The forged will was planted in Jacobs’ gun safe, which Herring accessed using a combination provided by her daughter.

The document diverted nearly all of Jacobs’ estate to Alex, leaving Jordan with just $50,000. This blatant fraud triggered a federal investigation, exposing a conspiracy that rocked Camden’s tight-knit community.

The FBI Investigation: Unmasking the Conspiracy

The FBI’s probe revealed shocking details:

• Wire Fraud Charges: Herring pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in 2018, admitting she created the will to enrich her daughter.
• Cover-Up Tactics: Alex Peterson lied to investigators about possessing Jacobs’ cellphone, which she hid in a safe at her stepfather’s business.
• Sentencing: In 2019, Herring received 41 months in prison, while her co-conspirators—Marion Kinley (18 months), John Kinley Jr. (12 months), and Alex Peterson (6 months’ home confinement)—faced lighter sentences.

But the case took a darker turn when Herring accused Lance and Shawna Reed—Jacobs’ brother and sister-in-law—of involvement in the fraud.

The Accusation Against the Reeds: A Desperate Deflection

During her sentencing, Herring shockingly claimed Lance and Shawna Reed participated in forging the will. The FBI swiftly investigated, but the couple vehemently denied wrongdoing:

• Lance’s Defense: “You lost your brother. And then you’re defending your nephew… Now I’m trying to defend our name,” Lance said in Southern Fried Lies, calling Herring’s claims baseless.
• Jordan’s Support: Jordan Jacobs dismissed the accusation, stating, “I know [Lance] would never hurt me like that.”
• Exoneration: The FBI cleared the Reeds, with Shawna condemning Herring as “a dangerous woman with her words.”

The Reeds’ ordeal highlighted the collateral damage of Herring’s lies, deepening mistrust in Camden and fueling public outrage.

Unanswered Questions: Was Matt Jacobs’ Death an Accident?

While the will fraud was resolved, lingering doubts about Jacobs’ death persist:

• Exhumation Order: In 2018, a judge authorized exhuming Jacobs’ body after suspicions arose that his car crash might not have been accidental.
• Jordan’s Doubts: “I hope there’s still a chance I could get those answers,” Jordan said, reflecting on his father’s death.

The documentary Southern Fried Lies delves into these mysteries, revealing how small-town loyalties and secrets obscured the truth.

Legacy and Redemption

• Jordan’s Victory: After a lengthy legal battle, Jordan reclaimed most of his father’s estate, including three homes and personal property. “It felt like having a piece of my dad back,” he said.
• Donna Herring’s Fall: Post-prison, Herring lives in Camden under supervised release, defiantly claiming she’s “paid [her] debt to society” despite community skepticism.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale of Greed and Gossip

The Matt Jacobs case underscores how greed can fracture families and communities. While the Reeds were vindicated, the scars remain—a testament to the enduring impact of white-collar crime. For a deeper dive into this twisted saga, watch Southern Fried Lies on Oxygen, where small-town secrets unravel in spectacular fashion.