In Part 2 of the Jacob Mansell case, Woody Overton takes listeners inside the West Feliciana Parish courtroom and recounts the roughly three-and-a-half-hour hearing he personally witnessed.

Woody describes testimony concerning the history of the allegations, repeated interviews of the child, the child's reported recantation, and the custody dispute surrounding Mansell. He also recounts testimony from Dr. Allen Taylor, the court-appointed evaluator whom Mansell's attorney has publicly said characterized the situation as the worst case of parental alienation he had encountered. That characterization has also been reported publicly as the basis cited by the defense for the earlier...

In this episode of Real Life Real Crime, Woody Overton takes a deep dive into the controversial Jacob Mansell case in West Feliciana Parish and explains why he believes there is far more to the story than the public has heard.

Mansell was arrested in March 2026 on sexual battery and second-degree rape charges involving his 13-year-old daughter. After posting bond, he was initially ordered to have no contact with her. That condition was later rescinded, and Judge Kathryn Jones awarded Mansell majority custody of his three children—a decision that generated significant public controversy and prompted District At...

On True Crime Time For September 17, 2026, Woody Overton begins with updates on #JusticeForMadison and #JusticeForHailey. Investigators are now in the digging phase of the search connected to Madison Renee Allen and Stephanie Hevia, while evidence collected from the Zachary property has been sent for examination.

In England, investigators are searching for the remains of Theresa Shepherd, who disappeared in 1995 after telling friends she was meeting a man for a picnic. Her former boyfriend, Peter Turner, was convicted of her murder, but her remains have never been recovered.

In Georgia, 11-year-old Banner O'Berry and his best...

On True Crime Time For September 16, 2026, Woody Overton begins with the latest #JusticeForMadison update. According to Sheriff Brian Spillman, investigators are actively working both the Morris Road property and a Zachary location connected to the investigation into Madison Renee Allen and Stephanie Hevia. By Monday, 14 agencies had already contributed hundreds of man-hours to the Morris Road search, with excavation beginning at identified areas of concern.

Then, in North Carolina, two men accused of killing two family members and critically wounding two others sparked an interstate manhunt that ended after their vehicle crashed in Ohio and officers heard...

On True Crime Time For September 15, 2026, Woody Overton opens with an update on #JusticeForMadison, as investigators continue working to find answers in the disappearances of Madison Renee Allen and Stephanie Hevia. Woody discusses information indicating investigators may shift attention from the Morris Road property to an Ash Street location in Zachary, where Thomas Morris previously lived.

Then it’s into the day’s cases.

In Ohio, 18-year-old Brianna Dutcher, her boyfriend Christian Evans, and his roommate Dejamius Payne are accused in the planned killing of Brianna’s mother, Dr. Tamila Dutcher. Investigators say digital evidence reveal...

This episode of Real Life Real Crime is for Ruthie Cox Doré—a Lifer, a fierce advocate, a loyal friend, and a woman whose second chance became a life spent fighting for and helping others.

Woody Overton remembers the Ruthie the Lifers knew, while sharing parts of her remarkable story that many never knew.

Ruthie openly spoke about a past involving addiction, bad choices and ultimately eight and a half years of incarceration. But she didn't allow that chapter to define the rest of her life. Ruthie believed prison gave her the discipline and structure she...

On this Saturday edition of Real Life Real Crime, Cyndi Overton takes a single entry from September 12 in her true-crime calendar and follows it into the unresolved disappearance and death of Patricia Marie Viola.

Patricia was a 42-year-old wife and mother living in Bogota, New Jersey, when she vanished on February 13, 2001. She had spent the morning volunteering at her children's school, walked home, spoke with her mother and then seemingly left her house again—without her purse, identification, keys, cell phone or epilepsy medication.

Her family searched for more than a decade without knowing that pa...

Today’s True Crime Time For is devoted entirely to a major development in #WhatHappenedToMadison—and the beginning of a new chapter: #JusticeForMadison.

Woody Overton attended a press conference with West Feliciana Parish Sheriff Brian Spillman, where authorities announced the execution of a search warrant at 9745 Morris Road in connection with the disappearances of Madison Renee Allen and Stephanie Hevia.

More than ten federal, state and local agencies are assisting in a slow, methodical search of approximately 15 acres, using specialized technology, cadaver dogs, ground-penetrating radar and other equipment. The warrant includes a search for possible huma...

Today, Real Life Real Crime goes back to the beginning of #WhatHappenedToMadison.

Woody explains that RLRC is re-releasing the first episode in the Madison Renee Allen series because, by the afternoon of September 10, listeners are going to understand why this case is back at the center of attention. He promises a brand-new episode Friday covering what the Lifers helped bring to fruition.

In this original conversation, Woody sits down with Lynn Rollins, Madison’s mother, to introduce listeners to the woman behind the missing-person case.

Madison Renee Allen was born in 1991 and raised pr...

On today’s True Crime Time For, Woody opens with the bizarre 1999 disappearance and murder of Girly Chew Hossencoff in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before moving into a packed episode involving police misconduct, disturbing family violence, international crime and two major death-penalty stories.

In Georgia, a Cedartown police officer is under investigation after fatally shooting a beloved bottle-raised donkey named HeeHaw while officers searched private property for a missing child. Officer Trenton Garner says the donkey charged and that a Taser attempt failed; HeeHaw’s owner, Hannah Israel, disputes that the animal was aggressive. Garner has been placed on a...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time For, Woody starts with an update about the direction of the shows. Saturdays are going back to old-school Real Life Real Crime stories, while True Crime Time For continues during the week. He also reminds listeners that work continues on #WhatHappenedToMadison, #JusticeForHailey, and the other cases RLRC is involved with—and that any breaking developments will be brought to listeners as soon as possible.

Then it is time for a disturbing edition of Family Matters.

Four Children Allegedly Kept in a “Rolling Prison”

Florida authorities say four...

This is Real Life Real Crime.

In this episode from the RLRC archives, Woody Overton takes listeners to rural Washington Parish, Louisiana, and the 1995 murders of a well-known dairy-farming couple inside their own home.

George Lander Spears Sr. and Bobbie Jean Spears were longtime members of their community. They operated a dairy farm on Star Hill and also owned a bar on their property. By Woody's account, they were successful, hardworking people who were well known in the area.

Then, on January 25, 1995, both were found shot to death inside their home.

...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time For, Woody celebrates one of his favorite weekends of the year: LSU football and the opening of dove season in Louisiana. But before heading to the field and getting ready to cheer on the Tigers, he begins the story of one of the most violent and relentlessly criminal figures in American history:

Carl Panzram.

And September 5 carries special significance in Panzram’s story. On September 5, 1930, Panzram was executed by hanging at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas.

But Woody isn’t starting at the gallows.

H...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time For, Cyndi takes over the microphone and begins with a message for the families who continue sending Real Life Real Crime information about unsolved cases.

There are more families asking for help than there are hours in the day. Cyndi explains that Woody is the investigator while she serves as the keeper and organizer of much of the information coming in. Every family deserves to have its case examined carefully, but meaningful investigative work cannot be rushed. She asks for patience, grace and understanding while Woody works through cases on...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time For, Woody opens by thanking the Lifers for listening and sharing and reminds everyone that tips can still be called into 313-RLRC-TIP on any case he has worked. He explains that when a specific tip comes in on an active investigation he cannot personally act on, he forwards it to the people currently working the case—and every credible lead has to be run down. Meanwhile, families and investigators continue waiting for answers and justice.

Larry Ralston and the Disappearance of Linda Kay Harmon

For On This Day...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time For, Woody takes listeners through the disturbing story of Carl Eric “Charlie” Brandt, a killer whose known crimes began when he was only 13 years old—and whose true number of victims may never be known.

Woody opens by briefly mentioning the ongoing Lindsay Clancy trial before turning to Brandt, who was born in 1957. In January 1971, 13-year-old Brandt entered a bathroom in his family’s Fort Wayne, Indiana, home and shot his parents with his father’s handgun. His pregnant mother was killed, his father survived, and Brandt then attempted to shoot his...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time For, Woody welcomes September and looks ahead to Labor Day weekend while hoping the holiday does not bring the violent crime and mass shootings that so often dominate the news. He reminds listeners that those stories will be covered as they develop before getting into the day’s true crime.

Khalil Wheeler-Weaver and the Murder of Robin West

For On This Day in Crime, Woody looks back to September 1, 2016, and the murder of 19-year-old Robin West, the first known victim of New Jersey serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver.

On today’s episode of True Crime Time For, Woody closes out August with one of the most notorious unsolved mass murders in American history: the Villisca Axe Murders of 1912.

Before getting into the case, Woody reminds listeners to continue calling in tips at 313-RLRC-TIP on the cases Real Life Real Crime is working. Because the episode was prerecorded, he also says he is still waiting for developments he hopes he may soon be able to share.

The story begins in Villisca, Iowa, where sometime during the night of June 9 into the early morning of Ju...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time For, Woody opens with the 1994 murders of the Hodges family in Vinton, Virginia. William Blaine Hodges, Teresa Lynn Fulcher Hodges, 11-year-old Winter Ashley Hodges, and 3-year-old Anah Michelle Hodges were found dead inside their burning home. Teresa had been strangled, while Blaine, Winter, and Anah had been shot. Family friend Earl Conrad Bramblett was later convicted and executed for the murders.

Woody then heads to New Hampshire, where Nestor Roman II is accused of stealing a rescue truck while firefighters were battling a blaze at his own home. Authorities sa...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time For, Woody opens with updates on Justice for Hailey and What Happened to Madison. Hailey’s case remains under review, while Woody says the Madison investigation is still moving forward and asks listeners to continue sending information to 313-RLRC-TIP.

For On This Day in Crime, Woody remembers Emmett Till, the 14-year-old Black teenager who was brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Roy Bryant and J. W. Milam were charged with the murder, acquitted by an all-white jury, and later publicly admitted killing Till. Woody reflects on the racism surrounding the case...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time For, Woody opens with another message for everyone following What Happened to Madison: hang on. Because the episode was recorded a day early, he still can’t reveal what he believes is coming, but promises the Lifers will hear about any break in the case as soon as he can share it.

For On This Day in Crime, Woody looks back at Edmund “Ed” Kemper, the infamous Co-Ed Killer, who committed his first murders in 1964 when he killed his grandparents, Edmund Emil Kemper Sr. and Maude Matilda Kemper. Kemper would la...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time, Woody opens with anticipation that a major development may finally be breaking in one of the cases the Real Life Real Crime community has been fighting for. Because this episode was recorded two days early, he can’t say exactly what has happened yet—but he tells the Lifers he hopes they’ve already heard the news by the time this episode drops. Woody also continues the call for What Happened to Madison, Justice for Hailey, Justice for Barbara Blount, and justice for every family still searching for answers.

For On T...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time, Woody opens with updates on What Happened to Madison, Justice for Barbara Blount, and Justice for Hailey, saying he knows movement is coming and hopes this is the week. He reminds listeners that the Georgia oversight review in Hailey’s case is still pending and promises to update the Lifers as soon as there is something he can share.

For On This Day in Crime, Woody looks back at several major historical cases, including the 1913 conviction of Leo Frank, the 1967 assassination of American Nazi Party founder George Lincoln Rockwell, the...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time, Cyndi takes over the mic and begins with a thank-you to the Lifers—and a reminder of just how much the Real Life Real Crime community means to the people who trust Woody with their stories. After spending Saturday at Guardian Day at Firman Ranch, Cyndi talks about meeting listeners and seeing firsthand how many people approach Woody looking for help, hope, or simply a chance to say thank you.

Cyndi also shares the meaning behind Guardian Day, an annual fundraiser supporting first responders and their families throughout the grea...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time, Woody opens with a message the Lifers have been waiting to hear: justice is coming. While he cannot yet reveal which case or exactly what is happening, Woody says he has received confirmation that a major step forward is coming in one of the cases the Real Life Real Crime community has helped fight for. He asks listeners to continue calling 313-RLRC-TIP, reminding everyone that there is no such thing as too much information when pursuing justice.

Woody also celebrates the release of A Mother’s Fight for Justice, writ...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time, Woody takes a deep dive into one of the most disturbing serial killer cases in American history: Robert Hansen, the so-called Butcher Baker of Alaska. Hansen abducted, raped, and murdered women in and around Anchorage, often flying victims into remote wilderness areas where he hunted them after releasing them into the open. He ultimately confessed to 17 murders and more than 30 rapes and was sentenced to 461 years in prison without parole.

Woody traces Hansen’s early life, criminal history, repeated brushes with the justice system, and the warning signs that were...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time, Woody opens with updates on What Happened to Madison and Justice for Hailey. He says the Madison case is actively being worked and asks listeners to keep sending information. In Hailey’s case, Woody confirms that the Georgia oversight committee has the case and is reviewing it, but stresses that this is not the time to stop. He asks listeners to continue contacting the media, the governor’s office, and the district attorney’s office to keep the pressure on.

For On This Day in Crime, Woody looks back at the A...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time, Woody opens with the message that continues to drive Real Life Real Crime: justice for everybody. He urges listeners to keep supporting What Happened to Madison, Justice for Hailey, Barbara Blount, and the many other families still fighting for answers. Woody also reflects on why some high-profile cases receive years of national attention while countless other victims and families struggle to get anyone to notice their cases at all.

Today’s stories include a disturbing investigation at a Chicago elementary school, where two custodians were found with gunshot wounds to t...

On today’s episode of True Crime Time, Woody opens with updates on What Happened to Madison and Justice for Hailey, asking listeners to continue submitting tips, making calls, and contacting the people who have the power to move these cases forward. Woody says he believes a turn in the Madison case may be coming sooner rather than later and hints that several major cases and breakthroughs are developing behind the scenes.

Woody also talks about another side of his work that listeners may not hear about as often: helping investigate potential wrongful convictions. He shares the st...

On today's episode of True Crime Time, Woody opens with updates on both What Happened to Madison and Justice for Hailey, thanking the Real Life Real Crime community for continuing to submit tips, make phone calls, and send emails. He reminds listeners that progress is being made in both cases and encourages everyone to keep the momentum going because every piece of information matters.

Today's stories include:

On today's episode of True Crime Time, Woody opens with an update on What Happened to Madison, thanking listeners who have continued submitting tips and encouraging everyone to keep sharing information as momentum continues to build. He also reminds the Real Life Real Crime community to keep supporting the Justice for Hailey campaign, emphasizing that recent developments show the continued public advocacy is making a difference.

Today's stories include:

In Part Two of this special True Crime Time series, Cyndi Overton continues the heartbreaking story of the Watts family murders, picking up moments after Shanann Watts returned home during the early morning hours of August 13, 2018. Rather than relying on Chris Watts' changing stories, Cyndi reconstructs the case using surveillance footage, police body camera video, investigative findings, and documented evidence to follow the investigation as it unfolded.

The episode follows investigators through the critical first hours after Shanann's disappearance, including Nicole Atkinson's decision to request a welfare check, Officer Matthew Koonrod's body camera footage, Chris Watts' suspicious...

On today's episode of True Crime Time, Cyndi Overton begins a two-part deep dive into one of the most shocking family annihilation cases in American history—the murders of Shanann Watts, her daughters Bella and Celeste ("CeCe"), and her unborn son, Nico. Rather than beginning with the murders themselves, Cyndi starts where every victim's story deserves to begin: with their lives.

Using family videos, social media posts, investigative records, and the documented timeline leading up to August 13, 2018, Cyndi explores the Watts family's seemingly picture-perfect life in Colorado. She discusses Shanann's outgoing personality, her Thrive business, the couple's fi...

On today's episode of True Crime Time, Woody opens by urging listeners to keep the pressure on in the Justice for Hailey and What Happened to Madison cases. He encourages the Real Life Real Crime community to continue submitting tips, contacting media outlets, and sending emails to officials, emphasizing that public involvement is helping generate momentum.

Today's stories include:

On today's episode of True Crime Time, Woody begins by thanking listeners for supporting the renewed Justice for Hailey call to action and urges everyone to keep the momentum going. He encourages the Real Life Real Crime community to continue contacting media outlets, the Georgia oversight committee, and other officials while the case remains in the public eye. Woody also reminds listeners that tips remain critical in the ongoing investigations into What Happened to Madison, Barbara Blount, Bradley Strickland, Austin O'Banion, and other unsolved cases.

Today's stories include:

🚨 Justice for Hailey Contact Hub

https://sites.google.com/realliferealcrime.com/justiceforhaileycontacthub/home

The Justice for Hailey Contact Hub has been updated with important new resources, including:

After you've made your calls or sent your emails, please let us know. Every respectful call and email helps demonstrate that people across the country are demanding accounta...

On today's episode of True Crime Time, Woody opens with updates on both What Happened to Madison and Justice for Hailey, sharing his hope that significant developments are on the horizon while thanking the Real Life Real Crime community for continuing to advocate for victims and their families.

The focus of today's episode is one of the most disturbing serial murder cases in American history—the Houston Mass Murders, also known as the Candyman Murders.

Woody takes listeners through the horrifying crimes of Dean Corll, who, with the assistance of teenagers Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. an...

On today's episode of True Crime Time, Woody shares encouraging news for the Justice for Hailey campaign, announcing that the Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys' Qualifications Commission has accepted the complaint for review. He thanks the Real Life Real Crime community for their continued advocacy and reminds listeners that the Justice for Hailey call to action will be re-released, urging everyone to keep the pressure on. Woody also provides an update on What Happened to Madison, expressing hope that justice is getting closer.

Today's stories include:

On today's episode of True Crime Time, Woody begins with exciting developments in the Justice for Hailey movement, announcing that the Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys' Qualifications Commission has officially accepted the complaint for review after receiving Attorney Thomas Davenport's legal memorandum. Woody also shares updates on What Happened to Madison, encouraging listeners to continue spreading awareness and reminding everyone that persistence is making a difference.

Today's stories include:

On today's episode of True Crime Time, Woody begins with an important reminder as students head back to school: slow down in school zones and stay alert. He also encourages listeners to continue supporting What Happened to Madison and Justice for Hailey, emphasizing that persistence and community involvement remain critical in the pursuit of justice.

Today's stories include: