Real Life Real Crime | Justice For Hailey ep 28
Podcast: Real Life Real Crime
Host: Woody Overton
Guest: Ms. Barbara Johnson (mother of Hailey)
Release Date: January 16, 2026
Episode Theme: Renewed push for justice in the unsolved murder of Hailey, focusing on new forensic efforts, justice system failures, and rallying the community for concrete action.
Episode Overview
In this emotionally charged episode, Woody Overton reunites with Ms. Barbara Johnson—the determined mother of Hailey—to reignite the quest for justice in Hailey’s stalled murder case. Woody and Ms. Barbara dissect prior investigative failures, share critical new developments, and rally listeners for support to fund a professional forensic reconstruction. Driven by frustration at the justice system’s inaction, the episode marks a pivotal, community-driven next step: raising funds for an independent expert review, with the hope that undeniable forensic truth will finally force the authorities to act.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Background: Hailey’s Case and Systemic Failures
- Hailey’s story has been covered in depth in previous episodes, constituting the “most evidence we’ve ever had in any case” according to Woody.
- Despite ample evidence, local authorities have failed to pursue murder charges against Brooks Cleary, the prime suspect.
- The DA’s office obtained indictments for charges unrelated to the murder—namely, moving Hailey’s body and destruction of evidence—resulting in a sentence but not true justice.
“They took the easy way out, and that’s a fact.” — Woody Overton [24:28]
- Woody expresses deep regret for trusting officials to follow through and labels their investigation as insincere and inadequate.
“It’s my bad for wanting to believe that somebody in the justice system is actually going to do their job.” — Woody Overton [04:44]
- The DA’s office obtained indictments for charges unrelated to the murder—namely, moving Hailey’s body and destruction of evidence—resulting in a sentence but not true justice.
- Ms. Barbara recounts the repeated official stance that Hailey’s manner of death was “undetermined,” not suicide, leaving homicide very much in play.
“If it’s undetermined, it’s just as likely to be homicide as a suicide.” — Ms. Barbara Johnson [08:05]
2. Pathologist Issues and Prosecutorial Reluctance
- Autopsy was flawed due to insufficient information provided to the pathologist, skewing conclusions toward suicide.
- After additional facts emerged, the manner of death was revised to “undetermined”—but authorities continued to avoid murder charges.
- Woody is skeptical:
“They just didn’t want to go to trial for murder and lose it, because we’d be going against our own expert.” [08:04]
- Ms. Barbara notes that prosecutors repeatedly acknowledged internally that they “know this is a murder.” [11:54–12:14]
3. Pursuing a New Forensic Reconstruction
- Inspired by a similar case (found by supporter Tommy Thompson Cox), Ms. Barbara contacted forensic specialist Scott Roeder of The Evidence Room for an independent review.
- Scott Roeder’s team offers full crime scene reconstructions, using advanced modeling, ballistics, and blood spatter analysis to answer key questions about the plausibility of suicide versus homicide.
- Roeder has a strong reputation, including certifications as an expert witness and international casework experience.
“His credentials seem to be beyond reproach.” — Woody Overton [22:19]
- Ms. Barbara and Woody agree this specialized review is the last, best avenue available, barring a dramatic change in district attorney leadership.
4. Community Call to Action – Funding the Fight for Justice
- The forensic team requires a $10,000 retainer (reduced from their usual $25,000+), which will fund scene reconstruction and expert analysis.
- Ms. Barbara is launching a GoFundMe campaign to gather these funds, with Woody and Cyndi pledging their own financial support.
- Full transparency is promised—100% of donations (minus standard GoFundMe fees) go directly to the expert’s work.
“There’s nobody, including the cops and D.A., that take an in-depth look at this case… that doesn’t come away madder’n hell that Brooks Cleary isn’t in prison for murder.” — Woody Overton [23:30]
- Woody pledges ongoing daily promotion of the campaign until the funding goal is met and encourages lifers (listeners) to contribute or at least share the fundraiser across social platforms.
“We need $10,000, and hopefully it won’t take long… If you can give a dollar, a dollar—it doesn’t matter.” — Woody Overton [46:07]
5. The Emotional Stakes
- Both hosts reflect on the profound community support for Ms. Barbara and Hailey, emphasizing that even if legal justice remains elusive, Hailey’s memory and story have touched thousands.
“Even if we never get justice, just having all the lifers know Haley… that matters more than anything.” — Ms. Barbara Johnson [43:24]
- Ms. Barbara describes the campaign as a “Hail Mary,” the last chance to force official action and honor Haley’s life.
“This is the Hail Mary. So I think it’s gonna go all right.” — Ms. Barbara Johnson [44:51]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Prosecutorial Inaction and Broken Faith
“I don’t think they ever investigated anything. And I don’t either… It’s my bad for wanting to believe that somebody in the justice system is actually going to do their job.”
— Woody Overton [04:44] -
On Autopsy and ‘Undetermined’ Rulings
“Still don’t even understand that though, because if it’s undetermined, it’s just as likely to be homicide as a suicide. So that’s not really going against him.”
— Ms. Barbara Johnson [08:05] -
On the Reluctance to File Murder Charges
“Why wouldn’t we try him for murder?… They took the easy way out, and that’s a fact.”
— Woody Overton [24:16–24:28] -
On Bringing in an Outside Expert
“He’s certified as an expert witness… There’s a whole lot more that never made it to court because the opposing side is looking at and they’re like, oh, here it comes.”
— Woody Overton [35:34] -
On the Need for Community Funding & Transparency
“Ms. Barbara’s going to handle the GoFundMe… and we will push it every single day on every episode… I just totally believe that we will come up with the money in a quick amount of time.”
— Woody Overton [33:13–34:29] -
On the Community’s Impact
“There are people all around the world that love you… and they want justice.”
— Woody Overton [34:46] -
On Donating and Lending Support
“If you can’t give, hey, we totally get it. Just thank you. And when they come back with the correct findings, if you’ll help us push it out… even if you can’t, just share.”
— Woody Overton [46:59]
Critical Timestamps
- [03:28] Introduction of Ms. Barbara; background on the case and investigation failures.
- [05:38] Ms. Barbara discusses the DA’s comments on what it would take to reopen the case (new expert, confession, or new professional analysis).
- [09:47] Woody explains grand jury secrecy and how prosecution can tailor outcomes.
- [12:24] Ms. Barbara details discovering Scott Roeder and his firm’s willingness to review Hailey’s case.
- [15:21] Woody expresses skepticism, then affirms Roeder’s strong credentials.
- [22:19] Woody discusses vetting Roeder’s legitimacy and experience.
- [23:17] Barbara and Woody discuss need for GoFundMe and commitment to transparency.
- [28:16] Full details on Scott Roeder and Evidence Room, including spelling of names and process for fundraising.
- [33:09–34:29] Planning for GoFundMe launch and strategy for publicizing and funding.
- [43:24] Barbara and Woody reflect on meaning and community support outside of legal justice.
- [46:07] Launch strategy: “We need $10,000, and hopefully it won’t take long… If you can give a dollar…”
- [47:55] Ms. Barbara affirms Woody shouldn’t feel alone in trusting authorities initially.
Next Steps & Listener Action
- GoFundMe Campaign: Launches alongside this episode; listeners are asked to donate what they can, share the campaign, and support in any way possible.
- Spreading the Word: Even listeners unable to donate are encouraged to amplify the cause by sharing across social media.
- Ongoing Updates: Future episodes will feature updates on fundraising goals and progress of the forensic review.
Tone & Takeaways
The tone throughout is resolute, unfiltered, and deeply personal—alternately encouraging, frustrated, and hopeful. Woody doesn’t shy from criticizing the justice system but centers the community’s capacity to effect change when officials fail in their duty. Ms. Barbara’s unwavering fight for her daughter’s memory is the episode’s heartbeat.
Final Word:
“We have nothing to lose and everything to gain… Let’s get this case examined by the experts that the supposed law enforcement experts want… Let’s do their job for them, and get justice for Hailey.”
— Woody Overton [44:58–45:46]
Resources
- GoFundMe Link: (To be released with episode drop; listeners encouraged to watch Real Life Real Crime channels for post)
- Evidence Room (Scott Roeder): [Contact info to be provided via official RLRC channels]
This summary captures all significant developments, quotes, and action items for listeners seeking justice, whether or not they’ve followed Hailey’s case from the start.