The case of Laken Snelling, the University of Kentucky cheerleader accused of hiding her dead infant in a closet, has taken another turn as social media posts reveal her months-long romance with a former college basketball player.
Snelling, 21, was arrested on Aug. 31 after police discovered the body of a newborn boy wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag at her off-campus residence in Lexington. She has since been charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
As the grim details of the case unfolded, internet sleuths and local media outlets quickly uncovered photos and TikToks showing Snelling with her boyfriend, identified as Connor Jordan. Jordan had previously played basketball for King University and Tusculum University in Tennessee.
A Public Romance
In one TikTok video posted in June, Jordan can be seen holding hands with Snelling in a sunlit field before embracing her. In another, he kisses her cheek as the two dance together. “#CoupleGoals,” one follower commented at the time, unaware of the events that would soon dominate headlines.
The pair appeared deeply intertwined in Snelling’s online life, with Jordan featuring prominently in her Facebook photos and TikTok clips. However, it remains unclear whether Jordan was the father of the deceased baby boy.
Since Snelling’s arrest, Jordan appears to have deleted his social media accounts. Neither he nor his family has commented publicly on the case.
Conflicting Images
The revelations about Snelling’s relationship surfaced shortly after it was reported that she had publicly listed motherhood as one of her top life ambitions. In her final TikTok, dated June 25, Snelling shared a list of goals: a wedding ring, a house, financial stability—and an emoji of a mother holding a baby.
The juxtaposition between her expressed desire to be a parent and the accusations she now faces has fueled widespread shock.
“She always talked about wanting to be a mom,” one former classmate told local station WLEX. “It’s hard to reconcile that with what police are saying happened.”
The Case So Far
According to police, officers were dispatched to Snelling’s residence on Aug. 27 after receiving a report about an unresponsive infant. The baby was pronounced dead at the scene.
An arrest citation reviewed by PEOPLE states that Snelling admitted to giving birth and cleaning up evidence before placing the newborn inside the black trash bag. Authorities later confirmed that she was the baby’s biological mother.
A preliminary autopsy was unable to determine a definitive cause of death, leaving questions about whether the baby was stillborn or died after delivery. Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn stressed that further studies were pending.
“I understand the community’s concern and sensitivity surrounding the death of a child,” Ginn said. “We are conducting a thorough and methodical investigation to ensure all facts are carefully considered.”
Snelling appeared in court for the first time on Sept. 2, pleading not guilty to all charges. She was released on a $100,000 bond and placed under house arrest at her parents’ home in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
A Community in Shock
The case has reverberated far beyond Lexington. At the University of Kentucky, where Snelling was a senior and a member of the school’s competitive cheer STUNT team for three years, students expressed disbelief.
“She was always smiling, always full of energy,” one teammate said. “It’s like two completely different people—Laken the cheerleader and Laken in these headlines.”
Legal experts note that if convicted, Snelling could face significant prison time. However, much will hinge on the results of the final autopsy report and whether prosecutors can prove intent beyond the concealment and disposal of the body.
The Unanswered Questions
For now, Snelling’s relationship with Connor Jordan remains one of many unanswered aspects of the case. Was he aware of her pregnancy? Did he know anything about the baby? Authorities have not commented on whether Jordan has been questioned as part of the investigation.
What is clear is that behind the curated snapshots of young love and aspirational life goals, a darker reality was unfolding—one that has left a young life lost, a family devastated, and a community searching for answers.
