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CBS Show ‘48 Hours’ To Discuss Karla Brada Murder, Safety Of AA

The story of a woman who was murdered by a Saugus man she met at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting is set to be discussed on an episode of the CBS show “48 Hours,” to be aired Saturday at 10 p.m.


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On Sept. 1, 2011, 31-year-old Karla Brada was found beaten and asphyxiated inside the condo she shared with her boyfriend, Eric Earle, in Saugus. Earle was found guilty of first-degree murder three years later.

The television show, called “48 Hours: The Sober Truth,” will discuss Brada’s story leading up to her death, including her struggles with alcoholism and prescription pill abuse, and the murder trial that followed.

Related Article: Eric Earle Sentenced 26 Years To Life In Karla Brada Murder

Brada and Earle reportedly met at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in early 2011, where both were struggling with alcohol and drug addiction.

Within a few months, the two were living together in Brada’s two-bedroom condo in Saugus, and the relationship quickly became violent, according to Deputy District Attorney Elena Abramson’s opening statements during the trial.

A preview of “The Sober Truth” on the CBS website raises the question of the safety of AA and discusses the presence of “predators” at meetings that are intended to help people like Brada.

Evidence presented at the trial showed Earle has a history of domestic violence, and not only assaulted Brada on multiple occasions, but had also beaten his estranged wife.

The specific circumstances of how Earle and Brada met and the relationship that followed are set to be examined during the show through a series of interviews and clips of Earle’s testimony during the trial, according to the preview.

The show is also set to feature clips of the 9-1-1 call Earle placed the day after the murder, clips of the trial itself, photos of the crime scene and interviews with several members of Brada’s family.

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CBS Show ‘48 Hours’ To Discuss Karla Brada Murder, Safety Of AA

8 comments

  1. I have been with. Some sort of AA all my life I do not see how you can blame AA for. The falt of what happens the why do we not blame the neighbors that see and hear what happens AA dose the best with what happens if people don’t know all about everyone in the group AA has done so much for so many. You don’t always know the people you live next to SO think about that for a while.

  2. I feel for this family that lost their daughter to the hands of a violent drunk. But I’m just as outraged that they would blame Alcoholics Anonymous for having a part in their daughters death. I’ve been a member of AA for 34yrs. And I’m not saying by any means it’s a perfect organization but it is perfect in one respect. They have no formal membership(you don’t have to sign up), they have no mandatory dues or number of meetings your expected to attend or where you can attend them. Almost every town in America and most in Europe have AA meetings and anyone at anytime is welcome to walk into them, no questions asked. In 1935 when Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob created AA they knew the less roadblocks an alcoholic has in trying to get sober the better chance he will have to at least try. In 1935, mental hospital stays were the common treatment for alcoholics. But this family and their attorney are going after AA for having court mandated attendance to criminals in certain circumstances. AA is not asking the courts to send these people to their meetings. In AA’s group statement they say they don’t get involved in controversies, politics or religion. They don’t endorse or oppose anything. Their sole purpose for existence is to help Alcoholics get and stay sober. Why wouldn’t the attorney for the family go after the courts that send these people to AA. The courts are the ones that put this inevitable meeting between this woman and her killer not AA. The courts already know of this person’s criminal background. Why should it be AA’s place to ask everybody what they do for a living and if they’ve ever been in jail. For one thing it would destroy the organization for the millions on non-criminal people who attend AA. This family and their attorney might want to also consider the lifestyle this woman was living(I lived it myself so I know and I’m not trying to demean her character in anyway) but I’m sure she had walked in bars and clubs throughout her drinking life and was sitting next to a violent felon at one time or another whether she knew it or not. If she had met this horrible man on a bar stool instead of an AA meeting would the Bar owner be responsible for not knowing one of his patrons had a history of domestic violence. It’s a terrible thing that happened to this woman but believe me people who have had their lives touched by alcoholism know anything is possible and most is unpredictable but just waiting to happen until the drinking person stops drinking.

    • Amen. I so agree with you. I am sorry for the young lady and her family, but neither she or that man were practicing the principles… It was a huge disservice to an organization who has helped so many. Let’s see if 48 Hours shows up at the International AA Convention in Atlanta on July 4 weekend to write a story about the other side of the coin.
      My medallion says “To thine own self be true”. Do you think those two people followed that precept? I am F.O.B. 28 years so far…

  3. I’m sorry for this young woman and her family. That being said, this family has misdirected their anger and grief onto an organization that is based on anonymity. For those who are commenting here, please remember the 11th tradition. We maintain personal anonymity at the level of press radio and films. This includes the internet.

  4. All of the people this program has helped and you chose to run a story like that! We who are admitted alcoholics, who chose to face it and recover with the aid of a program like AA already suffer the stigma of this disease on a daily basis from ignorant people, you have just added to our pain with this story. I hope you remember that each individual, in reality, is accountable for their own behavior. No organization is responsible for this murder. The murderer is the only one responsible for his behavior!! You should be ashamed!

  5. Don’t believe everything you read and hear especially coming from the media. This sick individual does not represent AA or any fellowship as a whole. What that murderer did has nothing to do with what AA stands for or is about. If your not an addict or alcoholic in recovery you don’t know what its about first hand and NEVER will to the extent of the good people in any 12 Step Fellowship; which are honorably and respectfully anonymous from social media, press, radio, and films.

  6. fiddle faddle. It is amazing how the culties come out like scientologists to the slaughter. It is great to expose the dangers present in this anonymous criminal dumping gound. The courts really started it up in California with prop 36. Now in California we have AB 109.

    The courts are releasing criminals from prisons to county jail, the jail then puts them on the street with a court slip. You all my be invested in this AA thing, but frankly the amount of criminal infestation is bad, and it is going to get worse here in California.

    the genneral public needs to be informed of the reality. 48 hours did a major service here. People who drink or use and commit no crimes in the process be warned. Particularly anyone who independently wants recovery, you may be wise to seek other alternatives. And they are out there. There is great hope, most people quit on their own. And that is ok, that is great.

    The argument that your neighbor is a criminal, bla bla bla. Is trite and untrue. the issue is that many criminals are being sent to 12 step groups. the chances are far greater for you to encounter them, and by all means protect your children from getting involved with these groups. There is zero professional help there. There is zero protection {exept for criminals via their anonimity there}.

    12 step members need to stop blaming the world for being as sick as they allow thier chosen community to be. The fellowships have long been broken. And it is ok, there are newer evidence backed treatments for recovery. Growing steady in the background to take the place of this dangerous, and unfounded highly religous organization pretending to be a self help group. Be warned. Keep safe. Stear clear.

  7. I have been a substance abuse counselor for over 25 years and have checked out Self Help programs such as AA before I would refer my clients. Since parole and probation departments have mandated their clients to NA and AA many programs are no longer safe.
    These programs many times are lead by dry drunks who do not follow the traditions or 12 steps. I have personally witnessed these behaviors. AA and other support groups are filled with vulnerable people who are trying to get help and do not need to be fodder for anti-social criminals who happen to use drugs or drink. I believe it is time for the secrecy of addiction to end and people with violent backgrounds attend correctional supported support groups.

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About Melissa Lampert-Abramovitch

Melissa Lampert-Abramovitch has been writing for KHTS since Feb. 2014. She currently writes “Community Spotlight” and feature stories, and coordinates all aspects of both the”KHTS Adopt a Pet” video feature series and “Top Things to Do in Santa Clarita.” She is the creator of “KHTS Adopt a Pet” and acted as News Editor from 2019-2020, as well as Features Director and Newsroom Manager from 2016-2018. A former Valley Publications Staff Writer, Melissa was a contributor to the Santa Clarita Gazette and Canyon Country Magazine from 2015-2016. She has published feature stories with Pet Me Magazine, The Pet Press, The Signal, COC's Cougar News, and KJAMS Radio.