Real Life Real Crime: “True Crime Time For January 22, 2026”

Host: Cindy Overton (riding solo for the episode)
Release Date: January 22, 2026
Episode Theme: Unsolved Cases, Fraud, Crimes Against Minors & Global Crime

Overview

This episode of "True Crime Time For" features Cindy Overton solo, diving into a series of recent and historical crime stories from across the US and around the globe. Cindy explores unsolved murders, bizarre fraud cases, crimes involving minors, themed true crime experiences, cold case breakthroughs, financial crime, and a particularly haunting unresolved case out of Scotland. The episode combines real-time updates with historical context and personal insights, keeping the trademark blend of empathy and fascination for “real life, real crime” storytelling.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Unsolved Cold Case: Karen Bodine (00:53)

• Summary:
  Cindy starts the episode with a calendar prompt for January 22: In 2007, Karen Bodine, a mother of three, was found strangled to death at a gravel pit in Rochester, NY. The case remains unsolved as of early 2025.
• Notable quote:
  “I hope that this cold case is solved one day.” (Cindy Overton, 04:37)
• Timestamp: 03:53–05:00

2. Fraudulent Airline Employee Scheme (05:00)

• Story:
  Dallas Pokernick, a former Canadian flight attendant, posed as an airline pilot and attendant to obtain hundreds of free flights over four years using fake IDs. He was arrested in Panama, extradited to Hawaii, and pled guilty to wire fraud. He may have ridden in the cockpit jump seat.
• Cultural reference:
  Reminiscent of "Catch Me If You Can" and Frank Abagnale’s infamous schemes.
• Notable quote:
  “That kind of tells me he possibly did [ride in the cockpit].” (Cindy Overton, 07:15)
• Timestamp: 05:00–09:11

3. Effed Up Professionals: Teacher Grooming & Strange Restaurant Concepts (09:17)

Carroll County, GA: Sexual Crimes by Teacher

• Story:
  Rico Thompson, a former middle-school teacher already charged for child molestation, faces new charges (sexual battery, grooming, cruelty/child abuse) for repeated misconduct involving a 13-year-old girl.
• Timestamp: 09:17–10:20

Michigan: True Crime Themed Restaurant

• Story:
  “Last Meal,” a restaurant offering the meticulously recreated last meals of serial killers prior to their executions, is opening in Monroe, Michigan.
• Notable menu items:
  • John Wayne Gacy’s chicken wings, strawberries, shrimp, fries
  • Ted Bundy’s parmesan steak loaded fries
• Notable quote:
  “The Last Meals and the Last Words are always something that has intrigued Woody and not just Woody, many, many other people.” (Cindy Overton, 12:04)
• Timestamp: 10:20–12:15

4. Violent Juvenile Crime: Oakley, California (12:15)

• Story:
  Two teen boys arrested for attempted murder, kidnapping, and carjacking after a wild sequence involving guns, a car chase, and a near-fatal shooting.
• Events:
  • Five minors together; boys threaten others at gunpoint when denied drugs
  • Girls forced to drive, then ejected from car
  • Third boy shot when confronting suspects
  • Car chase ends in Orinda, suspects caught, booked for multiple violent felonies
• Timestamp: 12:15–14:55

5. Repeat Bank Robber & True Crime Author: Denver, CO (14:55)

• Story:
  Charles Christopher Martinez, already a convicted bank robber and self-published author about his life of crime, is implicated in another Denver bank robbery. He detailed his criminal exploits in an autobiography. Arrest follows social media and FBI involvement.
• Notable quote (from Goodreads review):
  “Thank you for being so brave by sharing your story. May God bless you and keep you safe.” (cited by Cindy Overton, 25:00)
• Timestamp: 14:55–18:35, 25:10

6. Major Cold Case Breakthrough: Colonial Parkway Murders (25:10)

• Story:
  Alan Wade Wilmer, who died in 2017, linked posthumously by modern testing to at least four of the notorious Colonial Parkway Murders in Virginia (1986–1989), solving decades-old cases and bringing closure to some families.
• Notable quote:
  “Our message today underscores that we will not stop, we will not forget and we will seek justice no matter how long it takes.” (Dominique Evans, FBI Norfolk, 27:45, via Cindy Overton)
• Timestamp: 25:10–28:30

7. Missing & Endangered Minor: Indiana (28:30)

• Story:
  Hailey Busby, 17, is missing and presumed endangered after leaving her home in Fishers, Indiana. Police believe she did not act alone; call for any tips continues.
• Timestamp: 28:30–29:40

8. Crime with a Twist: Car Test Drive Abduction in Ohio (29:40)

• Story:
  Todd Mars, 51, took a test-drive with a car salesperson, changed routes, ran errands with her “captive,” threatened her, and returned to the dealership only after finishing his tasks. He faces abduction and disruption of services charges.
• Notable quote:
  “He replied, ‘No, now you will sit there and wait like a good girl.’” (Cindy Overton, 30:00)
• Cindy’s reflection:
  “How scary is that? …That’s just scary, scary, scary.” (34:18)
• Timestamp: 29:40–34:18

9. Crimes Against Minors: Miami Matricide (Family Matters) (35:32)

• Story:
  Derek Rosa, 15, pleads guilty to second-degree murder for stabbing his mother 46 times at age 13 while his infant sister slept nearby; receives 25 years in prison, 20 years’ probation, no contact with surviving family.
• Details:
  • Rosa showed warning signs (graphic videos, fascination with movie killers)
  • Took selfies with the corpse and confessed to police
  • Family testimonies in court on the immense grief
• Cindy’s take:
  “Somehow that is definitely not enough. He stabbed his mother with his baby sister lying next to her…Just save some time and energy and some money and plead guilty that way.”
• Timestamp: 35:32–39:48

10. Financial Crime: Fast Food Card Fraud in Fort Worth, TX (43:29)

• Story:
  McDonald’s worker Giovanni Blunt made over 50 fraudulent charges totaling $680 by swiping customer cards twice—once legitimately and once to his own account.
• Consumer Protection Tips Offered:
  • Monitor for suspicious charges
  • Use contactless/mobile payments
  • Regularly check credit reports and set up alerts
• Notable reflection:
  Cindy reminisces about the “darn checking account” and balancing checkbooks as a young adult.
• Timestamp: 43:29–46:30

11. Worldwide Crime: Mysterious Death in Glasgow, UK (46:36)

• Story:
  Mikhail Akram (formerly Michael Murray) found dead, face down, semi-naked, with bruises and stab wounds in asylum seeker flat. Cause of death (drugs vs. trauma) unascertained; family left frustrated and heartbroken after year-long investigation.
• Key findings:
  • Drugs found but possibly not enough for overdose
  • Multiple injuries, including broken leg from stabbing
  • Family’s anguish over lack of answers and lack of press attention
• Notable quote (from Mikhail’s mother):
  “You can't even imagine what it's like. My family are not getting any answers…This was my child. This was my firstborn baby.” (Sheena Miller, cited by Cindy Overton, 47:30)
• Retired pathologist’s comment:
  “The wounds were absolutely extraordinary. One of them is sufficient to break the fibula. This is a significant trauma.”
• Cindy’s reflection:
  Draws a parallel to the injustice in the case of Halie Johnson (a case previously covered on the show) and promotes the “JusticeFor” ongoing initiative.
• Timestamp: 46:36–59:16

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I hope that this cold case is solved one day.” (Cindy, 04:37 — Karen Bodine case)
• “That kind of tells me he possibly did [ride in the cockpit].” (07:15 — Airline fraud update)
• “The Last Meals and the Last Words are always something that has intrigued Woody and not just Woody, many, many other people.” (12:04 — True crime-themed restaurant)
• “How scary is that? …That’s just scary, scary, scary.” (34:18 — Ohio car test drive abduction)
• “Somehow that is definitely not enough. He stabbed his mother with his baby sister lying next to her.” (39:48 — Miami matricide)
• “You can't even imagine what it's like. My family are not getting any answers…This was my child. This was my firstborn baby.” (Sheena Miller, via Cindy, 47:30 — Glasgow case)

Timestamps (by Segment Start)

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Karen Bodine unsolved murder | 03:53 | | Airline employee fraudster | 05:00 | | Effed Up Professionals (teacher, restaurant) | 09:17 | | Oakley, CA teen attempted murder/kidnapping | 12:15 | | Denver repeat bank robber/author | 14:55, 25:10 | | Colonial Parkway Murders breakthrough | 25:10 | | Missing 17-year-old in Indiana | 28:30 | | Ohio car test drive abduction | 29:40 | | Miami teen murders mother | 35:32 | | Fort Worth McDonald’s fraud | 43:29 | | Worldwide Crime: Glasgow unexplained death | 46:36 |

Tone & Style

Cindy’s narration is direct, empathetic, and insightful, balancing the gravity of the crimes with a touch of dry humor and personal reflection. She often pauses to comment on procedural aspects, express compassion for victims and families, or draw larger lessons about justice and awareness. The episode maintains the authentic, grounded voice that has made the podcast a favorite for true crime aficionados.

Final Thoughts

Cindy closes the episode by emphasizing the need for justice—#JusticeFor (Halie, Barbara Blunt, and others)—and inviting listeners to support the ongoing GoFundMe and advocacy campaigns. She expresses gratitude for listeners’ engagement, reinforces the importance of vigilance and community, and signs off in anticipation of wintry weather and the next day’s stories.

For listeners seeking a variety of true crime news with depth, updates on ongoing cases, and a personal touch, this episode of "Real Life Real Crime" delivers with a well-curated selection and Cindy’s signature voice.