Real Life Real Crime: "True Crime Time For January 3, 2026"

Hosts: Woody Overton & Cyndi Overton
Date: January 3, 2026
Episode Theme:
A sweeping roundup of true crime stories both local and international, with a focus on chilling cases involving sexual assault, homicide, squatting, family tragedies, and crimes that shake families and communities.

Overview

Woody and Cyndi Overton kick off the new year with a packed episode featuring deeply unsettling, bizarre, and sometimes darkly humorous takes on current and recent crime stories. From an attempted sexual assault of an elderly woman in Baton Rouge to a sword-wielding squatter removal expert in California, plus cases spanning New Zealand police impersonators, familial murders, bizarre child abductions, and more, this episode delivers candid conversations and authentic reactions. The Overtons maintain their trademark blend of gritty law enforcement insight, empathy for victims, and unfiltered banter.

Key Discussion Points & Case Breakdowns

1. Baton Rouge Home Invasion & Attempted Sexual Assault

[03:21 – 05:44]

• Incident Recap: An elderly woman in Baton Rouge falls asleep on her couch. An unknown man enters her unlocked home and attempts to rape her.
• Response: Her screams call for her husband, scaring off the attacker.
• Key Evidence: Cigarette, unused matchstick, and artificial flowers collected, leading to a DNA match.
• Outcome: "The suspect was almost immediately identified as Desmond Campbell...arrested and booked already in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison." (Cyndi, 05:12)
• Notable Insight: Prompt DNA processing leads to quick identification—a noted change from the past.
• Emotional Impact: Woody underscores the psychological trauma, likening the violation to an even worse crime than robbery.
  • Quote: “They steal your peace. Your home is supposed to be where you draw your peace and your strength from. And I’m thankful he didn’t rape her.” (Woody, 05:59)

2. Worldwide Crime: Drunk Police Impersonator (Auckland, New Zealand)

[06:38 – 12:10]

• Incident: A man in a station wagon fitted with illegal police lights pulls over an unmarked car—unbeknownst to him, it's full of actual police.
• Bizarre Twist: Realization leads to a futile escape attempt; he’s quickly apprehended.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The irony escalated when the impersonator realized...the vehicle they were pulling over belonged to the real popo.” (Woody, 08:46)
• Additional Offense: Turns out, he's drunk—blows twice the legal limit.
• Public Safety Tip: Woody and Cyndi remind listeners how to verify real officers, especially when being pulled over by unmarked vehicles.
  • “Call 911 on your cell phone and they will verify for you if it is or isn’t a real cop.” (Woody, 11:24)

3. Family Matters: Wisconsin Professor Kills Partner and Dog

[12:22 – 15:20]

• Incident: Alexis Pickett and her dog found dead after a fire, later revealed Alexis was murdered beforehand.
• Perpetrator: Matthew Sierra, a college professor, long-term affair partner and father of her children, upset over new pregnancy.
• Charges: Homicide of Alexis, homicide of an unborn child, arson, animal cruelty.
• Notable Detail: Extended investigation leveraging surveillance and cell phone data.
  • “He was involved in a years, many years long extramarital relationship ... she was pregnant with his second child, and he wanted her to have an abortion, and she refused.” (Cyndi, 14:00)
• Woody’s Observation: “People keep being dumb...job security for us because we have no shortage of stories to report.” (Woody, 15:20)

4. California Farming Mogul Kills Estranged Wife

[24:10 – 25:33]

• Incident: Michael Abadi, prominent farming mogul, indicted for driving 500 miles to murder his estranged wife, Carrie Ann Abadi, before Thanksgiving.
• Investigation: Spans two states, relies on search warrants and undisclosed significant evidence.
• Notable Quote:
  • “You drive 500 miles, murder, drive back. You really think you’re just going to get away with it?” (Woody, 25:36)
• Punitive Potential: Facing extradition to death-penalty state (Arizona).

5. Pennsylvania Couple Lives With Deceased Relative for Benefits

[28:00 – 30:19]

• Incident: Couple continues to collect government benefits while living with a decomposing body.
• Discovery: Welfare check reveals fraud and abuse of public assistance.
• Insight: Cyndi notes the double-edged sword of plea deals—guilt admissions lowering sentences, possibly enabling recidivism.

6. Sword-Wielding Squatter Remover in California

[31:15 – 39:01]

• Case: James Jacobs, martial arts expert, starts ASAP Squatter Removal—a business boasting a “95%+ success rate” and use of melee weapons (“a sword”) to evict squatters.
• Discussion: Hosts debate the legal/ethical lines, joking about possible tactics.
• Quotable Marketing:
  • “Our team leader has over 20 years of mixed martial arts expertise, advanced melee weapons training and four years of NRA and USCCA certification, ensuring both strategic and physical preparedness for any situation.” (Woody reads from Jacob’s ad, 34:32)
• Societal Context: Crisis-level homelessness in California, rise of “sleeping pods” at $700/month.

7. Tennessee Teacher Charged with Child Abuse

[40:50 – 44:58]

• Incident: First-grade teacher Heather Petsch accused of years-long abuse of her own children—biting, scratching, and pinching.
• Investigative Details: Repeated prior reports went unaddressed; new visible wounds trigger legal action.
• Woody’s Reflection: “If you’re biting your own kids...I mean, bites hurt.” (Woody, 45:22)
• Implications: Highlights flaws/inaction in social services and the risks to children with educators as abusers.

8. Texas Christmas Eve Family Homicide

[46:34 – 50:32]

• Incident: Police find 4 dead (family members, including a child) in a Texas home on Christmas Eve—murder-suicide by adult son.
• Community Impact: Neighbors stunned, reflect on the invisible struggles behind closed doors.
• Quote:
  • “People love on each other everywhere and next door, you know you never know what goes on behind closed doors.” (Woody, 49:43)
• Cyndi’s Reflection: Every future Christmas/Eve forever tainted for the survivors.

9. Utah Mom Abducts Children, Flies to Europe

[52:30 – 57:15]

• Case: Alicia Ann Seymour forges her children’s passports, writes a delusional “to do list,” and absconds to Europe, leaving ex-husband scrambling.
• Law Enforcement Angle: West Jordan Police unable to find family at home; airline security loophole questioned.
• Dad’s Plea: Seeks GoFundMe support to retrieve children in person and mitigate trauma.
• Hosts’ Insights: Difficulty and skepticism of GoFundMe; prior instances of fraud, but sometimes necessary.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Home Invasion Impact: “It’s almost worse than a robbery because they steal your peace.” (Woody, 05:59)
• On False Police Stops: “The irony escalated when the impersonator realized the vehicle they were pulling over belonged to the real popo.” (Woody, 08:46)
• On Squatter Remover’s Resume: “Our team leader has over 20 years of mixed martial arts expertise, advanced melee weapons training and four years of NRA and USCCA certification…” (Woody, 34:32)
• On Plea Deals: “Their admission of guilt often lowers their sentence and gives them the possibility of getting out and doing it again.” (Cyndi, 29:12)
• On Hidden Family Tragedies: “You never know what goes on behind closed doors.” (Woody, 49:43)
• Kidnapping/Parental Abduction: “How do you forge passports and fly to Amsterdam and Croatia?” (Woody, 54:54)

Timeline of Major Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:21 | Baton Rouge home invasion/attempted sexual assault | | 06:38 | New Zealand police impersonator | | 12:22 | Wisconsin professor homicide/arson case | | 24:10 | California farming mogul murders estranged wife | | 28:00 | Pennsylvania couple lives with deceased relative | | 31:15 | California sword-wielding squatter remover | | 40:50 | Tennessee first-grade teacher charged with child abuse | | 46:34 | Texas Christmas Eve family homicide | | 52:30 | Utah mother abducts children to Europe |

Tone & Style

Woody and Cyndi blend their professional insight with down-home wit and real empathy. Dark stories occasionally lead to wry humor or personal anecdotes, but always circle back to victim advocacy and systemic critique when appropriate. The mood shifts from earnest and serious to irreverent and colloquial, capturing their unique rapport.

Final Thoughts

This episode delivers a stark and authentic array of crime stories that expose personal tragedies and societal issues alike. Woody and Cyndi excel at weaving together facts, context, candid opinions, and practical advice—reminding listeners that justice is often messy, but worth pursuing. Their closing words reinforce loyalty to their listeners and an unwavering commitment to the stories they tell.

Woody: “Thank you for everything. Love you, love you, love you.” (61:00)
Cyndi: “Love you, Patreon Convicts.”