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PODCAST

The First Degree

Alexis Linkletter, Jac Vanek

Do you ever wonder what it’s like to be friends with a murderer? Or escape a kidnapping? Or have a father who was a serial killer? Join Jac Vanek and Alexis Linkletter on a chilling ride into the darkest corners of your worst nightmares. Murders, cults, kidnappings, and conspiracies—all told through the eyes of a guest who is one degree of separation from the story itself. From infamous serial killers to the unbelievable unknown murder in your own backyard, The First Degree delivers a new

true crime

All Episodes

00:43:18

BONUS: KILLING TIME: PUKA SHELLS

The First Degree ·

2023/12/14

This week the girls and the ginger return for some sort of necklace personality quiz designed by none other than our emo queen Jacquelene. Come find out which early 2000’s neckwear you are! On the stand this week: Viral symbolic items, gravy, referring to yourself in third person, and cereal! Then, a surprise ending you’re gonna want to stick around for! It’s Killing Time! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy

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00:47:04

Episode 277: Wilbur & Wilma Williams Part 1

The First Degree ·

2023/12/13

On Tuesday, August 3, 1999, 14-year-old identical twin brothers Donell and Ronell Williams break into a house in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas. They steal numerous items, including a handgun and ammunition. Later that day, the brothers are wandering their neighborhood aimlessly with the stolen pistol and live rounds in their possession. By chance, Ronell and Donell spot 79-year-old Wilbur John Williams (no relation) walking toward his mailbox. Shortly after, Ronell holds Wilbur and his wife,

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00:45:24

BONUS: KILLING TIME: THE MICHELIN MAN

The First Degree ·

2023/12/07

This week the girls and the ginger are back with a big time full-fact! Did you know the origin of the Michelin star rating system? We didn’t, but today we’re breaking it down, and it’s making us hungry! Then, we’re getting into some low IQ crimes. On the stand today: Removable sports bra padding, birthday instagram posts, and dessert dips! And finally, a Worstie with a sizable smackdown!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️

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00:43:17

Episode 276: The Murdaugh Family, Part 2

The First Degree ·

2023/12/06

The second installment of Alexis and Jac’s two part episode covering the Murdaugh Murders, featuring interviews with Mandy Matney and Carolyn Murnick, authors of “Blood on Their Hands.”🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889💩

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00:47:07

BONUS: KILLING TIME: KATIE THE GREATY

The First Degree ·

2023/11/30

Hello Firsties! We’re back again for another week of Killing Time! We’re talking about Catherine the Great! A woman of great power and an even greater body count! She also had some wild chairs, but we’ll get into that later. On the stand today: moaning at a massage, Taco Bell, pickle ball, and new movies being pulled from theaters too early. Then, a worstie returns some soiled shorts!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️

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00:41:39

Episode 275: The Murdaugh Family, Part 1

The First Degree ·

2023/11/29

On February 24, 2019, a 19-year-old woman and her friends are on a private boat ride in the very early hours of the morning near Beaufort, South Carolina. The carefree night turns ugly when the 19-year-old skipper crashes the boat into a bridge, killing the young woman. The saga that follows is something, few people could have predicted. Two more people close to the case end up losing their lives in a brutal double slaying, before other previous deaths in the community soon become linked to a

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00:48:35

BONUS: KILLING TIME: TURKEY TALK

The First Degree ·

2023/11/23

The girls and the ginger return for a Thanksgiving episode STUFFED with all kinds of convo to distract you from the horrors of family gatherings! On the stand this week: overusing the word “perfect”, voice messages, catching up after a happy birthday text, and a quick revisit to EGG NOG! Then it’s on to Thanksgiving Day crimes! And finally, a Worstie skips school!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy Metal

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00:43:56

Episode 274: Christina Brittany Colón

The First Degree ·

2023/11/22

On November 4, 2021, a 32-year-old woman and her 7 year old daughter are riding along as passengers with the woman’s 32-year-old boyfriend in his Honda Civic, along the I-26 in Charleston, South Carolina. Suddenly, their evening takes a turn when their vehicle accidentally has a minor collision with another. The Honda drives away, but a 24-year-old man witnesses the hit and run. He calls 911 but then pursues in his Mazda. After both vehicles turn off the highway, the Honda collides with the Mazda

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00:44:58

BONUS: KILLING TIME: TWIHARDS

The First Degree ·

2023/11/16

The girls and the ginger are back yet again for another week of Killing Time! Today, Jac has brought a Twilight presentation. We didn’t ask for this, but here we are. On the stand: bagel to cream cheese ratios, wheat bread, unsalted butter, and big pumpkin!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤

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00:43:46

Episode 273: Joseph Heidesch

The First Degree ·

2023/11/15

On October 6th of 2021, Catholic high school music teacher 45-year-old Joseph Martin “Joe” Heidesch is arrested for multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a child and breach of privacy. Further investigation reveals that, from 2016 to 2021, the choir director secretly filmed his female students changing into their performance outfits in his private office. Court documents revealed that Mr. Heidesch would strongly encourage his female students to use his office to change clothes. He told the girls

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00:45:29

BONUS: KILLING TIME: ACCIDENTAL ON THE STAND

The First Degree ·

2023/11/09

This week the girls and the ginger return and things go immediately off the rails. What starts as a casual conversation turns into an entire episode of on the stands! We’re talking all things self-improvement. Do we really need to be our best selves? Are cigarettes part of a healthy organic lifestyle? Is aluminum the key to smelling good? We can’t promise we have the answers, but we definitely have some half-facts for you!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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00:41:59

Episode 272: Roy Dean Ratliff

The First Degree ·

2023/11/08

On August 1, 2002, two 16-year-old and 17-year-old young women, total strangers, are each parked with male companions up near a popular lovers' lane in Quartz Hill, California. Suddenly, their night is interrupted when the girls are kidnapped by a felon on the run in need of a getaway vehicle. For the next 12 hours, the girls endure a terrifying ordeal, as finding them safe and well becomes a race against time. But with law enforcement on the trail of the highly publicised kidnapping, it’s only a

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00:42:30

BONUS: KILLING TIME: HALLOWEEN HANGOVER

The First Degree ·

2023/11/02

This week the girls and the ginger return with a chilled out episode of Killing Time. That’s right, we’re going off the rails this week. 2 Days post-Halloween, and we’re just embracing the hangover. On the stand this week: sleeping while sitting shotgun, knocking on doors at night, small talk while in a hurry, and early flights! Then! A worstie plays the blame game! Also, how is it November?🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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00:39:27

Episode 271: Huong Nguyen

The First Degree ·

2023/11/01

On March 13, 2020, 42-year-old Huong Helene Nguyen is reported missing to the New Orleans Police Department. By 8:10 p.m. that day, the authorities discover her body less than a mile from her home. Huong’s killer shot her multiple times, shoved her body into the trunk of her own car, drove the car to a remote parking lot, and abandoned it. Investigators interview Huong’s family members and friends, but it seems as though no strong leads turn up. A week later, on March 20, Huong’s funeral services

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00:43:22

BONUS: KILLING TIME: MEMEOWEEN

The First Degree ·

2023/10/26

The girls and the ginger return for a VERY spooky edition of Killing Time! We’re diving into the ominous origins of everyone’s favorite holiday! But first! On the stand: eating at the gym, meme costumes, the 12 foot Home Depot skeleton, and hosting a non spooky event around Halloween. Then! Another worstie with some roommate retaliation. Can’t we all just get along? Happy Halloween!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The

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00:48:23

Episode 270: Rita and Colleen, Part 2

The First Degree ·

2023/10/25

On November 3rd of 1993, 31-year-old Rita Marie Tangredi’s body is discovered on Long Island’s East Patchogue. Her cause of death is determined to be blunt force trauma to the head and strangulation. Only 18 days later, 28-year-old Sandra Costilla is found in a nearby location and in a similar fashion. Two months later, 20-year-old Colleen McNamee’s body is recovered from a nearly identical crime scene, as well. All three women were beaten, raped, and strangled. For over 20 years, their families

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00:41:05

BONUS: KILLING TIME: WEDDING BELLS, THE FINALE

The First Degree ·

2023/10/19

Welcome back to Killing Time hosted by two girls one ginger! This week, we’re getting the rest of our wedding shenanigans out of our systems! That’s right, the last and final installment of us going on and on nitpicking nuptials. On the stand this week: blister bandaids, soliciting free photoshop services, giving up and eating American fast food abroad, and audibly saying “this is awkward” during conversation. Then! Join us for some wedding-related listener submitted on the stands!🎟 Catch up to

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00:40:10

Episode 269: Rita And Colleen, Part 1

The First Degree ·

2023/10/18

On November 3rd of 1993, 31-year-old Rita Marie Tangredi’s body is discovered on Long Island’s East Patchogue. Her cause of death is determined to be blunt force trauma to the head and strangulation. Only 18 days later, 28-year-old Sandra Costilla is found in a nearby location and in a similar fashion. Two months later, 20-year-old Colleen McNamee’s body is recovered from a nearly identical crime scene, as well. All three women were beaten, raped, and strangled. For over 20 years, their families

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00:44:29

BONUS: KILLING TIME: WEDDING BELLS PART 2

The First Degree ·

2023/10/12

This week the girls and the ginger return to round out their French festivity flashback with part two! We’re taking a break from our usual format and just ruminating on our favorite moments over the last couple of weeks. Nothing to put on the stand, and no worstie this week! Join us for a good old fashioned hang with friends!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com📸 Instagram:

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00:47:24

Episode 268: Kenneth White

The First Degree ·

2023/10/11

At about 8:30 p.m. on October 18th of 2017, 32-year-old Kenneth Andrew White is going home after working at a construction site in Au Gres, Michigan. Sitting in the passenger seat of his colleague’s van, Kenneth and his coworker are only ten minutes away from their destination in Mt. Morris. Suddenly, a six-pound rock crashes through the front windshield. Kenneth is hit in the head and knocked unconscious. Shortly after, Kenneth is declared dead. Days later, investigators discover the culprits

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