Real Life Real Crime: True Crime Time For November 27, 2025

The Thanksgiving Episode

Hosts: Woody Overton & Cindy Overton
Release Date: November 27, 2025

Overview

In this Thanksgiving edition of "True Crime Time For," renowned investigator and host Woody Overton, alongside co-host (and wife) Cindy Overton, dig into the dark, bizarre, and sometimes surprisingly wholesome world of Thanksgiving-related crimes. Balancing their signature blend of gritty storytelling and authentic Louisiana charm, they recount some of the most infamous, twisted, and occasionally humorous incidents that have transpired on and around Thanksgiving Day. The episode is both a celebration of gratitude and a vivid reminder that crime doesn’t take holidays off. Woody also connects these cases to more general trends in crime during the long Thanksgiving weekend, offering not only stories but insights and practical takeaways for listeners.

Key Discussion Points & Case Summaries

1. Opening & Setting the Scene (04:41)

• Woody paints an evocative picture of Thanksgiving in the Overton house (“Creole garlic butter… Louisiana hot sauce injected turkey”), expressing gratitude to listeners.
• Woody: “We had the big hoorah, right—Thanksgiving—and we are so thankful for each and every one of y’all…” (04:58)

2. The Infamous Crimes of Thanksgiving’s Past

A. The “Thanksgiving Black Widow” – Omaima Nelson (06:54)

• Case: Thanksgiving 1991, Egyptian-born former model Omaima Nelson murdered and dismembered her husband, Bill Nelson.
• Details:
  • Stabbed with scissors, bludgeoned with an iron, mutilated the body.
  • Attempted to destroy fingerprints and dental records; also castrated him.
  • Claimed the murder was in retaliation for ongoing abuse and being “pimped out” by Bill.
• Woody (expressing disgust and incredulity):
  “Nothing says, you know, thankful for my life and my husband like stabbing him with scissors, beating him to death with an iron, cutting off his head…” (11:47)

B. Family Massacre: Paul Michael Merhige (Florida, 2009) (12:45)

• Case: After a seemingly normal Thanksgiving dinner with 16 relatives, Merhige shot and killed four family members (including his pregnant twin sister and a 6-year-old).
• Notable Moment:
  “Right after he shot all four of them, he said, ‘I’ve waited 20 years to do this.’” (13:47)
• Captured and sentenced to seven consecutive life terms.

C. Familial Rage: Clay and Keith Oliver (Colorado, 2009) (15:40)

• Case: 76-year-old Clay shot his 49-year-old son Keith after a long Thanksgiving argument about chores.
• Details:
  • Argument escalated; son refused to leave.
  • Clay retrieved a .357 revolver and killed his son in front of the family.
• Woody:
  “Thanksgiving’s over. They didn’t have to worry about him not helping anymore. Wow.” (16:46)

D. Vigilante “Justice”: Byron Smith (Minnesota, 2012) (17:40)

• Context: Smith, after repeated burglaries at his home, waited in the basement with a rifle on Thanksgiving, killing two unarmed teens who broke in.
• Notable Quote:
  “I refuse to live in fear. I’m not a bleeding heart liberal. I felt like I was cleaning up a mess. I was doing my civic duty. I don’t see them as human. I see them as vermin.” (19:23)
• Did not call police until the next day—claimed didn’t want to bother them on a holiday.

E. Sibling Stabbing over Thanksgiving Dinner (2012) (21:33)

• Incident: Sibling spat over food in Maryland escalated; Shanika Alsup stabbed her half-brother in the neck with a serving fork.
• Result: Victim survived; Alsup was charged with multiple felonies.
• Cindy (dark humor):
  “Holy stabbing in the neck.” (28:22)

3. Bizarre & Lesser-Known Crimes

A. Thanksgiving Turkey Robbery (Bridgeport, Connecticut) (28:42)

• Story: Jimmy Mulligan robbed at gunpoint of his Thanksgiving meal on the way to a friend’s.
• Human Kindness: Dispatcher Denny Vieira and coworkers bought and delivered Thanksgiving dinners to Mulligan after verifying his story.

B. “Love” in Name Only: Thanksgiving Gas Station Robbery (Miami Gardens, FL, 2013) (30:48)

• Details: Johnny Anton Love attempts robbery; clerk David Paul Lamore calmly tricks him into lingering and triggers the alarm. Love is caught trying to gather spilled stolen beer in the parking lot.

C. The Cannibal Cop’s Thanksgiving Fantasies (NYC, 2012) (32:48)

• Background: NYPD officer Gilberto Valle arrested after wife finds disturbing chats about abduction, murder, and cannibalism—specifically planning “girl meat for Thanksgiving.”
• Outcome: Conviction overturned—ruled as fantasy, not intent; released after 21 months.

4. Public Service Segment: Most Common Thanksgiving Crimes (34:55)

Woody summarizes an article by Jay Roland (2022), adding his personal law enforcement insights:

• Vandalism: From egging to graffiti, commonly committed by juveniles.
• Disorderly Conduct: Fights in public, indecent exposure, “Blackout Wednesday,” public intoxication.
• Theft & Burglary: Shoplifting, stealing from homes left empty for travel, retail thefts, and even jewelry theft from Thanksgiving hosts.
• DWI & Traffic Offenses: Massive uptick in drunk driving and related infractions; police out in force for holiday overtime.
• Speeding: Increased due to higher travel; also includes running red lights, reckless driving, texting behind the wheel, etc.
• Domestic Violence: Family tensions and alcohol lead to a spike; Woody links this to several cases discussed.
• Woody:
  “I can assure you this fucking happens. Number six, rise in crimes. The biggest one—domestic violence related offenses, right?” (43:28)

5. Closing Reflections on Thanksgiving & Personal Note (45:21)

• Cindy (reflective, heartfelt):
  “I'm joining my Texas clan. It's my first Thanksgiving my entire life without my daddy... Prayers all y'all that are missing loved ones. I get it now for the holidays.” (45:30)
• Emphasizes gratitude, the importance of family, and challenges during the holiday season.
• Woody: “Want to wish you from Cindy and I, from the Overtons, we want to wish you a happy, happy, happy Thanksgiving.” (46:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Woody, after recapping several grisly crimes:
  “All these... are going to be effed up families.” (14:19)

• On the cannibal cop:
  “I wonder if his mom, dear mom, sweet mom, was going to be his girl meat? Interesting.” (33:37)

Important Timestamps

• 04:41 - Episode content begins: Woody welcomes listeners, sets the Thanksgiving scene.
• 06:54 - The origins of Thanksgiving and the Omaima Nelson case.
• 12:45 - Paul Michael Merhige family massacre.
• 15:40 - Colorado Thanksgiving patricide.
• 17:40 - Byron Smith, vigilante defense in Minnesota.
• 21:33 - Maryland sibling fork stabbing.
• 28:42 - The turkey robbery and dispatcher’s kindness.
• 30:48 - Miami Gardens gas station comedy-of-errors robbery.
• 32:48 - The disturbing case of the NYPD “cannibal cop.”
• 34:55 - Breakdown of six most common Thanksgiving-week crimes.
• 45:21 - Reflections, gratitude, and episode close.

Tone & Style

Woody and Cindy weave between vivid, occasionally graphic storytelling (“old school irons like the settlers used… a ten-pound thing, and you gotta beat him after you stabbed him numerous times”), biting dark humor, and genuine warmth. They openly reflect on their own lives, the pain of missing loved ones during the holidays, and the good—even redemptive—acts that can occur amidst the chaos of the season.

For Listeners

If you're drawn to true crime with a Southern flavor, forensic insight, and a healthy dose of reality mixed with reflection, this Thanksgiving-themed episode is both engrossing and sobering. Whether you’re here for the grisly tales, the cautionary advice, or a moment of shared gratitude, Woody and Cindy serve up a holiday special that’s as memorable as it is meaningful.

Final note from Woody:
“So y'all, I really hope you enjoy your shit... be thankful. I’m so very, very thankful. So, so very, very blessed... I love and appreciate each and every one of y’all.” (45:21–46:25)

[Summary prepared without ads, promotional plugs, or unrelated segments]