Real Life Real Crime: True Crime Time For November 26, 2025

Episode Theme:
Woody and Cindy Overton deliver a dark pre-Thanksgiving roundup of recent true crime stories, including reality TV star Jen Shaw’s prison release drama, the deadly mystery of Sonia Exelby, updates on chilling cases of abuse and murder, and the infamous Greyhound bus cannibalism incident. The episode is punctuated with characteristic dark humor, candid commentary, and emphasis on justice for victims.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Holiday Chatter and Listener Engagement

• [02:23–03:04] Woody and Cindy banter about Thanksgiving and fried turkey, giving a “homey” start. Woody briefly addresses listeners who call in anonymously about cold cases, expressing a desire for trust and authenticity.
• Woody: “If I tell you you’re going to remain anonymous, you’re going to remain anonymous. Otherwise… you’re playing for the other side.” (03:37)

2. Jen Shaw’s Release: Real Housewives Star Out Early?

• [04:11–07:23] Cindy reports on Jen Shaw, a Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast member, getting early prison release for wire fraud.
  • Sentenced to 6.5 years in 2023 for telemarketing fraud; may be released as early as December 2025, but official “projected” release is August 30, 2026.
• Cindy: “Shaw’s manager… says that the Bravo Star has achieved ‘real growth’ while incarcerated and is aware of the gravity of her mistakes.” (06:20)
• The Overtons question the mix of public and official reports, reflecting skepticism about early releases for high-profile offenders.

3. Sonia Exelby’s Tragic Mystery: From the UK to Murder in Florida

• [07:23–12:22] Woody narrates the disturbing case of Sonia Exelby:
  • British woman traveled to Florida, went missing, and was later found dead.
  • Dwayne Hall, linked via credit card fraud, is charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.
  • Revelation: Exelby sought out someone online specifically to help her end her life.
• Woody: “She came to America to have this guy kill her. Oh my gosh.” (11:22)
• Cindy and Woody criticize the existence of subcultures that facilitate assisted suicide, mulling the disturbing reality of such online spaces.

4. A String of Abuse and Predation in the News

Rapid-fire Case:

• [12:27–13:40] Woody cuts in with a developing story:
  • Minnesota man Jesse Tesmer pleads guilty to repeated rape of a girl under 16 across 2022–2024; faces just three years in prison.
  • Both hosts express disbelief and frustration at the light sentence.
  • Woody: “Three years. Three years in prison. Raping a young girl… I hope she misspoke on that.” (13:25)

Baton Rouge Teacher Scandal:

• [13:40–16:39] Cindy covers Chloe Ephron, a 24-year-old substitute teacher arrested for an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old:
  • Groomed student via sexting, gifts, and nicknames; arrested following mother’s discovery of messages.
  • EBR Parish schools swiftly terminate Ephron; safety message read.
• Woody: “Thank God she got caught, right?” (16:22)

5. Crime of Greed: The Alaska Murder for Hire Plot

• [23:06–28:37] A revisit of the 2019 murder of Cynthia Hoffman in Alaska involving teens lured into a murder-for-hire scheme.
  • Caden McIntosh (16 at crime, now 22) sentenced to 85 years (15 suspended) for killing developmentally disabled Hoffman at the urging of Denali Bremer, who believed an online catfish would pay her $9 million if she filmed the murder.
  • Bremer: 99 years; online manipulator (Darren S. Miller): 99 years.
  • Quote: “There was no rash or spontaneous decision… but rather cold, calculated murder.” – Judge Peterson (25:24)
  • Shock at gullibility and horror at youth participating in violent, online-instigated crime.
• Woody: “Do you really think you’re… just going to pay you $9 million?” (27:53)

6. Utah Child Starvation: A Case of Abuse and Systemic Failure

• [28:55–41:36] A deeply disturbing case of child starvation and neglect:
  • Five-year-old girl in Utah, starved by father (David Fevas) and stepmother (Jessica Harmony).
  • Child forced to scavenge Play-Doh and feces to survive, locked out of access to food; father tried to return her to child services after girlfriend became pregnant.
  • Child failed to thrive, repeatedly hospitalized, not enrolled in school, isolated within the home.
  • Both father and stepmother charged with felony child torture; other children placed in state care.
• Quote (Affidavit): “He admitted that he resented the five-year-old because she rubbed him the wrong way and he got an odd vibe or an odd feeling from her.” (35:44)
• Woody is fiery, expressing hope for the worst for the perpetrators, and angrily discusses systemic neglect.

7. The Cannibalism Crime: The Manitoba Greyhound Bus Murder

• [43:42–51:29] The most shocking story: The murder and cannibalism of Tim McLean on a Canadian bus in 2008.
  • Perpetrator Vincent Li beheaded and cannibalized McLean, believing him to be an ‘alien’ as part of a psychotic episode.
  • Police found McLean’s severed head, with some organs presumed eaten. Li was judged not criminally responsible and, after years in a mental institution, is now free, living under a new name (Will Lee Baker) without mandatory checks.
• Woody: “Put that on your Thanksgiving menu… your boy eating his heart and shit and we can’t stop you… locked the bus, Lee in it. So it’s like a buffet for Lee.” (45:47, 46:13)
• Cindy’s disbelief serves as a surrogate for the audience’s; Woody’s storytelling is gory, laced with morbid humor.
• Critique of “absolute discharge” policies and incredulity at freedom for a cannibal-killer.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On anonymity and trust:
  “If I tell you you’re going to remain anonymous, you’re going to remain anonymous.” (Woody, 03:37)

• On Jen Shaw’s “growth” behind bars:
  “Shaw’s manager… says that the Bravo Star has achieved ‘real growth’ while incarcerated and is aware of the gravity of her mistakes.” (Cindy, 06:20)

• On Exelby’s suicide plot:
  “She came to America to have this guy kill her. Oh my gosh.” (Woody, 11:22)

• On the Alaska plot's absurdity:
  “Do you really think you’re… just going to pay you $9 million?” (Woody, 27:53)

• On child abuse case:
  “He admitted that he resented the five-year-old because she rubbed him the wrong way and he got an odd vibe or an odd feeling from her.” (Woody, quoting affidavit, 35:44)

• On Greyhound bus cannibalism:
  “Put that on your Thanksgiving menu… your boy eating his heart and shit and we can’t stop you… locked the bus, Lee in it. So it’s like a buffet for Lee.” (Woody, 45:47, 46:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment Theme | Timestamps | |---|---| | Opening Banter & Listener Calls | 02:23–04:11 | | Jen Shaw’s Early Release Discussed | 04:11–07:23 | | Sonia Exelby’s Murder Case | 07:23–12:22 | | Teacher-Student Abuse in Baton Rouge | 13:40–16:39 | | Alaska Murder-for-Hire Plot | 23:06–28:37 | | Utah Child Starvation Case | 28:55–41:36 | | Greyhound Bus Cannibalism Case | 43:42–51:29 | | Closing Remarks | 51:29–52:35 |

Tone and Style

Woody and Cindy’s trademark blend of Southern informality, righteous indignation, dark humor, and empathy for victims runs throughout. Woody is blunt, often profane, and doesn’t shy from expressing his desire for harsher punishments for violent offenders. Cindy acts as both a factual counterpoint and empathetic voice, with moments of incredulity and disgust that reflect the audience’s reactions.

Summary

This pre-Thanksgiving special from Woody and Cindy Overton walks listeners through a gruesome buffet of true crime news: the legal drama of reality TV felons, unsettling international murder plots, failed justice for child sexual assault, systemic child starvation, and one of the most disturbing acts of cannibalism in recent history. Each story is dissected with equal parts grit and dark humor, providing listeners with equal measures shock, anger, and macabre fascination.

End Message:
The Overtons wish their listeners a safe and happy holiday—reminding everyone to be grateful for what they have and stay vigilant. Their closing wish? That none of their listeners ever have to share a table with someone like Vincent Li.