Michael & Virginia Waterson interview

Monday, August 28, 2023 – 10:20 a.m.

Michael and Virginia Waterson are Kristi Waterson's parents.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy interviewed them by telephone at their home in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Michael Waterson
• Virginia Waterson

Detective Armstrong: Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Waterson. Thank you for talking to us today. Our deepest sympathy for your loss.

Michael Waterson: Thank you. What can we do for you, detectives? We'd like to get this over with as soon as possible so my wife can rest.

Detective Murphy: Of course. First, will you both state your name and address for the record, please?

Michael Waterson: Michael Waterson, 1195 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, Mississippi.

Virginia Waterson: Virginia Waterson, same address.

Detective Murphy: Will you be coming to Oxford to take care of the arrangements for Kristi?

Michael Waterson: I've sent my very best people to handle that. We're much too distraught to focus on details like that right now.

Detective Armstrong: We hate to add to your burden right now, but you should know that the medical examiner told us this morning that Kristi's death appears to be a homicide.

Michael Waterson: Of course he did. We were certain she didn't take her own life.

Detective Murphy: How is that, Mr. Waterson? I mean, why were you sure she didn't commit suicide?

Michael Waterson: She was so full of life, my Kristi. I knew she would never intentionally kill herself.

Virginia Waterson: I just knew she would never kill herself! How could someone have done this horrible thing to our daughter?

Detective Murphy: We don't know, Mrs. Waterson. That's why we need your help. The more information we have about your daughter, the faster we can determine who murdered her.

Virginia Waterson: Of course. We'll tell you anything we can.

Detective Armstrong: Good. Who do you think might have wanted to hurt your daughter?

Virginia Waterson: Oh, no one that we know could possibly have done such a thing. And she didn't have any enemies.

Michael Waterson: Now, Gin, everyone has enemies, I suppose. We just don't know that Kristi had any.

Detective Murphy: Did she ever mention having trouble with anyone, an ex-boyfriend, for example? Anyone who may have bothered her?

Michael Waterson: Kristi is… was an independent adult, after all. She really didn't confide much about her relationships to me. Gin, did she talk to you about anyone?

Virginia Waterson: Well, let's see. Yes, she mentioned her department head, John Brewer. Evidently, he had asked her out on a date, but she said something about not wanting to go out with an old man.

Detective Murphy: Did she say how Mr. Brewer reacted to her refusal?

Virginia Waterson: Oh, she thought it was funny that he was miffed when she refused his advances. I think she had a bit of a control issue with men.

Detective Murphy: How do you mean?

Virginia Waterson: She liked to be in the driver's seat in relationships. I could tell from the way she talked about the men in her life.

Detective Armstrong: Who did she talk about?

Virginia Waterson: The most recent that I knew about was Hunter.

Detective Murphy: Do you know his last name?

Virginia Waterson: It's Wilson… Neilson… sounds something like that.

Detective Armstrong: Could it be Nelson?

Virginia Waterson: Yes! That's it. Hunter Nelson.

Detective Murphy: What did she say about their relationship?

Virginia Waterson: That they had dated, but it ran its course, and she dumped him.

Detective Armstrong: Were those her words?

Virginia Waterson: Exactly. "It ran its course, and I dumped him," she said.

Detective Armstrong: Did she tell you how he reacted to that?

Virginia Waterson: She didn't say. She acted like she didn't really care. She just went on her way.

Detective Murphy: Did you ever meet him?

Virginia Waterson: Oh no. For some reason, she said she was dating him on the sly. She didn't say why. She really didn't confide in me. She told me as little as possible and only when I asked. I always hoped she'd find that special someone and settle down, but she was too restless—and independent—I guess.

Detective Armstrong: What other names do you remember her mentioning?

Virginia Waterson: Hmm. I can't think of any others right now. I'm still in shock. And now murder. It's just too much to grasp. I can't believe she's really gone. This just doesn't happen to people like us.

Detective Armstrong: When was the last time you talked to her?

Michael Waterson: That day. The day of her… the day she was killed. She called to ask about her mother.

Detective Armstrong: What time was that?

Michael Waterson: Around 6:00 p.m., I think.

Detective Armstrong: Did she say anything about her plans or if she was expecting anyone?

Michael Waterson: We talked maybe a half hour then she said she had to go. That was the last time I ever….

Detective Murphy: How did she and her roommate get along?

Virginia Waterson: Michelle? They're cousins. They've been rooming together for four years. I imagine they had to be getting along to live together that long, but I think they sort of just tolerated each other. And to be perfectly truthful, I think Michelle resented her a little.

Detective Murphy: Resented her? What for?

Virginia Waterson: Oh, Kristi had everything going for her—a supportive family, a wonderful prestigious job at an outstanding university, wealth and family. What else would a girl need?

Detective Murphy: Michelle didn't have the same things?

Virginia Waterson: Michelle just graduated. Her family lost a great deal in that awful divorce, and she's an art history major, for goodness sake. What kind of future is there in that? Of course, she's latched onto a good thing with that boyfriend of hers. That Rob, or whatever his name is.

Michael Waterson: Now, Gin. You don't know anything about that.

Virginia Waterson: I know his father is a Texas millionaire. What's to know?

Detective Murphy: I understand you fell at Kristi's apartment recently.

Virginia Waterson: I certainly did! I slipped on water from that blasted leaky refrigerator and broke my hip. Been in excruciating pain ever since.

Detective Armstrong: Was there some talk about a lawsuit?

Virginia Waterson: Michael told Kristi we should sue the apartment manager and the owner because they were negligent.

Detective Murphy: Did she take any action?

Virginia Waterson: I don't know. Michael, you talked to her. Did she ever do anything about it?

Michael Waterson: No, I don't think she got a chance to do that. She went to that no-good manager's apartment, though, and confronted him. Told him we were going to sue.

Detective Armstrong: What was his reaction?

Michael Waterson: She said he was very upset at her going to his apartment and invading his privacy. She said he really hit the roof. Told her out get out and mind her own business.

Detective Armstrong: Do you know his name?

Michael Waterson: Dewey something. He lives right there at The Turn.

Detective Murphy: Can you think of anyone else your daughter talked about that we should talk to?

Virginia Waterson: There's some woman at the university that she mentioned—an Emily something—who worked in the same department. Kristi said this Emily person was very jealous of her success and hated Kristi because of her lovely, slim figure. But Kristi said if this Emily would stop gorging on unhealthy food, maybe she wouldn't be overweight. Kristi never had a weight problem. She was very careful of her figure and wasn't sympathetic to people who couldn't control their appetites. Oh, my poor dear baby!

Detective Murphy: Can you think of anyone else you think we might talk to about Kristi, Mr. Waterson?

Michael Waterson: I think my wife has more than adequately covered the subject, detectives.

Detective Armstrong: How did you get along with your daughter, Mr. Waterson?

Michael Waterson: We got along just fine, detective. She came to me when she had a problem, and we would work it out. I'll admit I didn't always approve of her choices in men, didn't understand her lifestyle, but I guess that isn't so unusual in this day and age. I'd like to catch the no-good sonuvabitch that hurt my little girl! If there is any way I can move this along… I'd be glad to make a donation to you… to, ah….

Detective Armstrong: Stop right there, sir. If you want to donate to the Sheriff's Benevolence Association, you are certainly welcome to do so, but it will have no effect one way or another on our investigation. And I advise you not to say anymore.

Michael Waterson: Sorry, detective. I'm half out of my mind with grief. I guess I didn't realize how that sounded.

Detective Murphy: That's all we need for today, Mr. and Mrs. Waterson. You have our number if you wish to contact us. We'll stay in touch as our investigation progresses. Goodbye.

Virginia Waterson: Goodbye.

Michael Waterson: Goodbye.

Interview ended – 10:48 a.m.