Real Life Real Crime | #JusticeForBradley Episode 16 (October 4, 2025)

Host: Woody Overton (Real Life Real Crime Productions)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Woody Overton continues to explore the unsolved homicides of Bradley and Austin (“AO”), calling on listeners—the “Lifers”—to keep sharing information and tips to bring justice for both victims. Woody airs a lengthy, anonymous message from a listener that highlights allegations of deep corruption, criminality, threats, and fear surrounding the cases in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. The episode underscores the emotional toll of both crime and the pursuit of truth, with Woody serving as both storyteller and advocate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ongoing Investigations and Community Involvement

• Woody thanks listeners for their tips and encourages ongoing sharing to keep the pressure on the unsolved murder cases. He emphasizes that real investigations take time:
  • "True investigations take a minute. This is not an hour long CSI." (07:11)
• Encourages those with knowledge to come forward, reinforcing that “the one kernel” of truth could be the breakthrough needed.

2. The Anonymous Message: Local Testimony and Allegations

Anonymity ensured; voice altered for safety reasons.

a. Personal Background & Credibility

• The anonymous caller admits a criminal past—drug charges, jail time, past gang affiliation—but says they’ve moved away and changed.
• Provides a candid disclaimer about their own credibility and fear:
  • "I'm scared to death to even send this message to you, but I'm going to do it." (09:51)

b. Claims of Corruption Among Officials

• Dr. Shawn Granger: Alleged to be part of the “good old boy network”; claimed to have casually taken the coroner role for the extra cash and to have dispensed prescriptions from his back door and home:
  • "He was literally doing it for the money... My wife could call up Sean and be like, hey, I need some pills... We'd go to his office... go right in, go sit in his office. He'd take out that prescription pad, ask her what you need." (12:12)
  • Alleged mishandling of autopsy reports and possible involvement in local criminal activity.
• Sheriff Sam Kraft, Leesville Police, and Detectives: Accused of fostering and benefiting from entrenched corruption:
  • "Leesville Police has been corrupt. Vernon Parish has been corrupt." (23:36)
  • Discusses illegal searches, bribes, and selective law enforcement.
• Other Law Enforcement and Officials: Names including Detective Sylvester, Misty, and Noel Yates called out for alleged corrupt behavior; claims of covering up crimes, breaking the law to uphold the law, and exploiting suspects as revenue streams or informants.

c. Allegations of Broader Criminal Networks

• Asserts connections among law enforcement, local officials, and drug operations, including possible links to a cartel:
  • "There is a cartel involved somehow... There is some sort of cartel... and all of these people are involved." (28:38)
• Reports rumors of officials being “bought off” and protected through campaign donations.

d. Firsthand Experiences & Threats to Safety

• Detailed accounts of repeated threats, violent attempts on their life, and persistent fear even after leaving the area:
  • "I had one guy try to stab me. I had one guy try to trap me in my lake house and set it on fire..." (21:16)
  • "If they want you to shut the fuck up, they're gonna try to get you to shut the fuck up." (45:54)
• Expresses concern for Woody and Morgan Baguette’s safety due to the perceived reach and ruthlessness of those implicated.

e. On Victims and Other Individuals

• Affirms Austin O’Banion’s character, describing her as caring despite her addiction, and doubts her direct involvement in the homicides:
  • "Austin, she has more fucking character in her pinky finger than all those people I mentioned combined." (42:24)
• Portrays Jason McDaniels and Justin Charbonneau as significant players, with McDaniels as a “pawn” potentially set up to take the fall.
• Shares stories of sex clubs and additional criminal behavior by other influential locals (e.g. Dr. Christina Lord, corrupt officials).
• Recalls the O’Banion family’s local prominence and troubles, including a history of being targeted by criminal activity.

f. Fear, Community Silence, and The Need for Hope

• Illustrates why so many locals remain silent:
  • "We're fucking scared to do anything. And most of us are powerless anyway." (48:27)
• Appeals for Woody to persevere:
  • "What you're doing is... giving people like me that've seen this shit go on for decades... hope. Please don't take that away from us." (47:49)

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• On the Investigation:
  • "Do I think personally, do I think I already know who did it and did what? ... I will not stop until I run down every lead, every possibility.” (05:41, Woody Overton)
• On Local Corruption:
  • "There's corruption been out there for years in that department. I was almost killed inside of the Leesville City Jail the last time I was locked up." (10:58, Anonymous Caller)
  • "Every time I've even been arrested, they've broken the law to arrest me." (23:36, Anonymous Caller)
• On the Stakes of Speaking Up:
  • "I have fake Facebooks that I go and I read things with and I comment with because I'm scared to death to say what I want to say with my own name because I'm afraid the son of a bitch is going to show back up at my house..." (44:12, Anonymous Caller)
• On Character Judgments:
  • "Shawn Granger, shitty character. David Vance, shitty character. Sam Kraft, shitty character. Noel Yates, shitty character. Misty, shitty character. Sylvester, shitty character." (41:34, Anonymous Caller)
• On the Importance of Woody’s Work:
  • "What you're doing is amazing, and I really hope you keep this up, because I'm telling you, the people of Vernon Parish... you're giving them some hope." (47:27, Anonymous Caller)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:55-09:44] – Woody Overton sets the stage, discusses why he’s sharing the message, the reality of homicide investigations, and his philosophy for pushing for justice.
• [09:44-35:46] – Anonymous caller’s full message: experiences with local officials, detailed stories about corruption, insider knowledge of criminal circles, and warnings about safety.
• [35:46-36:15] – Ad interlude (skipped content).
• [36:15-49:07] – Continuation of the anonymous message: deeper into specifics, fears for whistleblowers, calls for protection, further details on individuals’ characters, appeals to Woody.
• [49:07-51:20] – Woody’s reaction, final encouragements to listeners, and sign-off.

Tone and Takeaways

• The tone is raw, unfiltered, and deeply personal, alternating between Woody’s driven, candid insistence on justice and the caller’s nervous, haunted, yet determined testimony.
• If you haven’t listened: This episode provides unique, if unverified, insight from someone with intimate knowledge of the area and most of the central figures, raising significant questions about law enforcement and public safety in Vernon Parish.
• The message is clear: solving these murders is about more than policework—it’s about uprooting entrenched corruption and breaking long-held silences, often at considerable personal risk.

Closing Encouragement

Woody Overton concludes by reaffirming his dedication to justice, regardless of the challenges or threats posed by bringing ugly truths to light:

• "Stir the shit. Let's get justice for Bradley. Justice for AO. It doesn’t come without a cost." (49:14)

He urges those with any information—no matter how minor—to step off the fence and come forward.

For listeners:
This episode is a testament to the complexities and dangers of true crime investigations in small communities. It also underscores the power—and cost—of seeking justice in the face of corruption.