A Texas influencer is learning just how serious the consequences of her Idaho murder theory can be after a courtroom battle tied to a tragic and high profile case. The woman’s tarot readings ended up costing her millions.
Ashley Guillard, a Texas-based TikTok creator known for sharing tarot readings about high-profile cases, has been ordered to pay a staggering $10 million after a federal jury ruled that her claims about an Idaho professor crossed the line into defamation. The verdict, delivered in a Boise court, capped off a legal saga that began with viral videos and ended in a very public courtroom reckoning, per Yahoo.
To understand how things got here, you have to rewind to a heartbreaking crime that rocked Idaho back in November 2022. Four University of Idaho students, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves, were killed inside their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho. The shocking case captured national attention and quickly became one of the most talked-about true crime stories online.
Texas Tarot Card Reader Ordered To Pay 10 Million
As happens with many high-profile cases these days, the internet jumped into detective mode almost immediately. Amateur sleuths began sharing theories, dissecting details, and speculating about who could be responsible. That’s where Guillard entered the picture.
The Texas content creator, who had built a following of more than 100,000 viewers by sharing tarot readings on criminal cases, began posting videos roughly two weeks after the murders. But instead of discussing possibilities or analyzing evidence, Guillard went much further.
Her videos suggested that University of Idaho history professor Rebecca Scofield may have been the mastermind behind the killings. According to Guillard’s claims, Scofield allegedly had a secret romantic relationship with one of the female victims someone the professor reportedly had never even met. Guillard then escalated the theory even more, claiming Scofield had “ordered” the murders to hide the supposed affair.
Those claims spread quickly across TikTok and other platforms. The videos included photos of Scofield along with her contact information, generating millions of views and shares. Despite the attention, authorities in Idaho had already made it clear that Scofield was not a suspect.
TikToker Lost Case Against Idaho Professor
In fact, the professor wasn’t even in the state at the time of the killings she was attending an academic conference elsewhere. Still, the online speculation kept growing.
Guillard defended her accusations by saying they came from spiritual insight and tarot readings, insisting that her methods could help uncover hidden truths in criminal investigations. She even represented herself during the legal proceedings. But Scofield’s legal team saw things very differently.
After sending cease-and-desist letters that asked Guillard to stop posting about her, Scofield ultimately filed a defamation lawsuit in December 2022. The situation only escalated when Guillard continued to post videos even after the legal warnings.
In one clip, she openly refused to back down, saying, “I am not stopping,” while also questioning why Scofield needed multiple attorneys if she was truly innocent. That persistence turned what might have been an internet controversy into a full-blown courtroom showdown.
By June 2024, a federal judge had already determined that Guillard’s statements were defamatory, noting they were based entirely on “spiritual intuition” rather than factual evidence. The later trial focused on how much damage the accusations had caused.
Testimony Was Heated
During testimony, Scofield described how the viral claims upended her life. She spoke about emotional distress, fears for her safety, and the impact the allegations had on her professional reputation as chair of the university’s history department.
At one point in court, Scofield directly confronted the influencer whose videos had spread across the internet. “You were making dozens of videos about me, someone you never met, you never talked to—someone you had no connection to,” she said during cross-examination.
The jury ultimately sided with the professor in a big way. The $10 million judgment included $7.5 million in punitive damages meant to punish Guillard and discourage similar behavior along with $2.5 million for emotional harm and reputational damage. Reports also noted that the award included millions tied specifically to the murder accusations and the fabricated relationship claim.
Adding another layer to the story, Bryan Kohberger was later convicted of the Idaho murders. That development only underscored how far off Guillard’s theories had been. Once news of the verdict spread online, reactions poured in across social media.
The Internet Has Jokes
“I mean, she must have seen this coming!” one person joked. “That’s not a psychic that’s a guesser,” said another. “That’s a lot of money,” a third person declared. “This is crazy,” a fourth comment read.
The case has sparked broader conversations about accountability in the age of viral content. With platforms like TikTok allowing creators to reach massive audiences instantly, the line between speculation and harmful misinformation can blur quickly.
For the Idaho professor, the outcome represents long-awaited vindication after years of stress and unwanted attention. For Guillard, the Texas influencer whose tarot readings launched the controversy, it’s a costly reminder that viral fame doesn’t come with immunity from real-world consequences.
Dylan Cook 
Sofia Bassett 
