Real Life Real Crime: True Crime Time for November 21, 2025

Hosts: Woody Overton & Cindy Overton
Episode Theme:
A chilling dive into recent and cold true crime cases involving kidnapping, murder, and missing children. The hosts unpack headline-grabbing stories from cruise ship murders to infamous family tragedies and explore how justice is (or isn’t) being served.

Episode Overview

Woody and Cindy Overton return to the studio to deliver their signature mix of in-depth case analysis, personal anecdotes, and advocacy for victims. This episode focuses on new developments in high-profile murders (including those with family connections), the pursuit of justice in cold cases, and reflections on the legal challenges involved in bringing killers to justice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Updates & Listener Engagement

• Tip Line Effectiveness:

  • Woody emphasizes the importance of the podcast’s tip line, reporting active listener engagement and valuable case progress thanks to new leads—particularly in the Barbara Blunts and Brooks Cleary cases.

    "The tip line works. Y’all just keep sending stuff in, and you never know…what’s going to push it over the edge." — Woody (03:07)

• #JusticeForBradley:

  • An update on the anticipated release of a new episode related to missing/murdered Bradley, with hints of behind-the-scenes developments.

2. Worldwide Crime: Cruise Ship Murder

• Case: 18-year-old Anna Kepner, a high school cheerleader, found dead and hidden under a bed on a Carnival Cruise ship.
• Key Facts:
  • Discovered by a maid wrapped in a blanket with life jackets over her, after she was reported missing by her family. (07:34–09:51)
  • FBI leads investigation, using room key logs and surveillance.
  • Stepbrother (16) named a suspect amid an acrimonious family custody dispute, with speculation about family involvement.
  • Surveillance footage shows Anna and the possible suspect prior to her death.
  • Insight into legal complexities: stepmother’s Fifth Amendment protections versus duty to testify.
  • Former FBI commentary on jurisdiction and maritime investigations.
  • Notable Moment:

    “If you’re tucked underneath in a blanket, that doesn’t bode well for it to be natural causes, right?” — Woody (08:22) “You don’t roll yourself up…and go underneath the bed and put life jackets on you and then die.” — Cindy (14:57)

• Woody's Reflection:
  • Laments the tragedy—Anna was an aspiring Navy sailor, living her "primary life," when she became a victim. (14:29)

3. Infamous Family Killers: The Susan Smith Case

• Case Recap: Susan Smith drowned her two sons in 1994; the crime became infamous for Smith’s elaborate false carjacking claim and the subsequent massive (misdirected) search and media spectacle.
• Recent Developments:
  • Smith remains in prison, recently denied parole (transcripts reveal manipulative communications with multiple men, showing lack of authentic remorse).
  • Her ex-husband, David Smith, continues to campaign at parole hearings to keep her incarcerated.
  • Smith’s own words:

    “I’ll be better prepared next time…They look for remorse and emotion, and I guess I just didn’t show enough.” — Woody, quoting Susan Smith’s correspondence (17:13) “She would say whatever she wants to say. Whoever can help her doesn’t care who she hurts.” — Former suitor (24:05)

• Legal Details:
  • Sentenced to life, possibility of parole every two years.
• Hosts’ Reaction:

  “How do you strap your babies in a car, put it on a boat ramp, roll them in, listen to them cry out…For a man who doesn’t want you?” — Woody (31:03)

• Cindy’s Solution:

  “A new…injection—we need a tank like Houdini was in. And stick that person in that tank…let them drown just like she drowned her kids.” (31:11)

4. Utah Family Vengeance Murder

• Case:
  • Carolina Marquez and her son involved in kidnapping and murder of Consuelo “Nicole” Solario Romero, after believing Romero was a police informant (31:54).
  • Multiple people involved; the body was disposed of after a premeditated, brutal murder.
  • Sentences: Marquez gets consecutive sentences for manslaughter and aggravated kidnapping; her son receives a suspended sentence after a guilty plea to obstruction.
  • Victim impact statement by family underscores the personal cost and absence of forgiveness.

  "You don't deserve any forgiveness from us. And we don't forgive you…I will follow your prison journey…reminding you and the system why you should not be out in our community." — Jessica Romero McDonald, victim’s sister (35:51)

5. Missing Children: The John Skelton Brothers Case (Michigan)

• Background:
  • In 2010, three brothers—Andrew (9), Alexander (7), Tanner (5)—vanished while with their father, John Skelton, amid a custody battle.
  • He was imprisoned for unlawful imprisonment, expected to be released soon, but is now finally being charged with their murders.
• Details:
  • New murder/tampering charges surfaced just prior to his scheduled prison release.
  • Mother maintains her belief in his guilt; brothers have been legally declared dead.
  • Skelton offered inconsistent stories, including a claim kids were given to an "underground group for their safety."
  • Investigators are confident new evidence justifies murder charges after years of cold case work.
  • Woody’s Summation:

    “They got his fucking ass.” (44:37) “It's not even about who solves it…it's about proving it beyond a reasonable doubt, not probable cause.” (58:40)

6. Beast Mode: The 'Bear Attack' Murder

• Montana Case:
  • Dustin Ketcherson murdered at a campsite by white supremacist Darren Abbey.
  • Abbey used a block of wood, axe, and screwdriver; attempted to frame the brutal killing as a bear attack.
  • DNA evidence from a beer can in the tent led authorities to Abbey, ruling out his twin brother (who was incarcerated at the time).
  • Abbey confessed but claimed self-defense; the forensic evidence and wounds told another story.
• On Racism in Crime:
  • Hosts denounce racism explicitly and discuss how racist affiliation (tattoos, prison gangs) played into both the crime and the aftermath.
  • Quote:

    "Racism sucks, murder sucks, all these family stories we did today suck." — Woody (55:22)

  • Commentary on prison culture and recidivism for violent offenders.

Notable Quotes & Standout Moments

• On Getting Justice:

  “First one to solve it…it’s not even about who solves it. How about that? Bad guys and girls. It’s not about who did it, it’s about proving it beyond a reasonable doubt.” — Woody (58:40)

• On Public Involvement/Misinformation:

  “People…I want to correct them or just say, ‘be quiet.’ But that’s not your job…all the misinformation keeps the heat on.” — Woody & Cindy (57:21)

• Moral Reflections:

  “Judge a person by their heart, not the color of their skin.” — Woody (47:35) “You have to pay $7 million [to get out on bail]. They got his fucking ass.” — Woody (44:37) “[If you commit a crime out at sea]…it’s actually FBI’s jurisdiction now.” — Quoting former FBI agent Cole Parker (11:38)

Important Timestamps

• [03:07] — Woody emphasizes importance of the tip line
• [07:34] — Cindy details Anna Kepner cruise ship murder
• [10:14] — Woody explains the evolving investigation, step-family legal drama
• [16:32] — Susan Smith’s crime and manipulative prison communications
• [31:54] — The Utah kidnapping and family-orchestrated execution
• [39:33] — The Skelton missing brothers updates and new murder charges
• [46:34] — The Montana bear-attack/campsite hate crime unfolds
• [55:22] — Hosts’ reflections on racism and family violence

Tone & Style

• Candid, Southern storytelling with dark humor (especially from Woody)
• Empathetic towards victims; critical and unflinching toward perpetrators and system failures
• Blunt condemnation of racism, manipulation, and exploitation in true crime
• Dynamic co-host interplay, blending legal insight with advocacy and accessible commentary

Summary Takeaway

This episode of Real Life Real Crime showcases Woody and Cindy Overton’s relentless focus on cold case advocacy, family-centered crime stories, and the pursuit of real justice. Through newly unfolding cases and infamous histories, the episode weaves together tragedy, investigation, and personal reflection—reminding listeners that behind every headline is a deeper, complex reality, and that community involvement (including listener tips and public scrutiny) remains crucial in the search for truth and closure.