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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

00:51:53

BONUS: KILLING TIME: BEN FRANKLIN

The First Degree ·

2023/06/15

This week the girls and the ginger return with an electrifying episode! It’s all things Benjamin Franklin! Find out what it takes to make it onto the 100 dollar bill! Spoiler alert, it’s a lot of weird shit! On the stand this week: separate sleeping zones on the same bed, Red Hot Chili Peppers, befriending birds, and crowdsurfing! Plus! A worstie firstie with a dinnertime diss!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy

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00:52:52

Episode 252: Zadie Cooper

The First Degree ·

2023/06/14

On July 4, 2016, 911 is called to respond to a 4 year old girl in Athens, Alabama, who’s not breathing. At the hospital, the youngster is placed on life support while her family hope and pray she regains consciousness. But three days later, with no hope of recovery, the little girl’s distraught parents make the heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support. A cause of death can’t be determined and there’s no obvious sign of injury. But those close to the family, as well as police, are starting

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00:52:06

BONUS: KILLING TIME: BIG BROTHER

The First Degree ·

2023/06/08

This week, the girls and the ginger are PARANOID! We’re here drawing some interesting conclusions between modern society and George Orwell’s dystopian social science fiction novel 1984. But first! On the stand this week: PB&J on wheat bread, hugging, ignoring crooked picture frames, and street sweeping! And finally, a familiar firstie shares her worstie.🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy Metal Project:

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00:35:26

Episode 251: Thomas Brackett

The First Degree ·

2023/06/07

When you think of public places where children should all be expected to feel safe, school is one of them. Church is another. Sometimes in such spaces, it’s not uncommon to come across unusual, even weird people. But you can’t control who attends a school or turns up to church service on Sundays. Usually we can brush off interactions with these people as just odd encounters. But sometimes, people who make us uncomfortable come into our lives not only for an extended period but in a way involving

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00:21:22

LISK: Getting to know Jessica Taylor

The First Degree ·

2023/06/02

Today The First Degree is joined by Jessica Taylor’s cousin, Jasmine- who fondly recalls the details of growing up with her vivacious older cousin. Jessica loved to dance, she loved double dutch, and she loved to read… but most importantly, she was adored by her family. In July of 2003, when Jessica was only 20-years-old, she was kidnapped and murdered by the Long Island Serial Killer. It’s been 20 years since she disappeared, which is the same number of years Jessica lived before her life was

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00:45:30

BONUS: KILLING TIME: DOOMSDAY

The First Degree ·

2023/06/01

This week get ready for another installment of Ask a Girl, Ask a Ginger! That’s right, we’re here yet again to offer some advice to some of our faithful firsties! But first! On the stand this week: instrumental interludes in songs, heating pads, the sidewalk salsa, and seeded grapes! And finally, a worstie with a sister secret you have to hear to believe! PLUS! It’s the end of the world as we know it!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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01:11:58

Episode 250: Suffolk County Police (LISK Part 3)

The First Degree ·

2023/05/31

On December 9th, 2015, the former Suffolk County Chief of Police James Burke is arrested for assaulting Chris Loeb three years earlier. Back in December 2012, Chris stole several items from Burke’s police vehicle, including a black duffel bag with an alleged homemade snuff film inside of it. Concerned that Chris would reveal the contents of his duffel bag, Burke struck Chris repeatedly and threatened to kill him. In November 2016, Burke is sentenced to 46 months in prison for his crimes. But, during

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00:19:32

LISK: Her name was Valerie Mack

The First Degree ·

2023/05/26

Valerie Lyn Mack was a loving sister, a caring mother, and a dynamic woman During her childhood, Valerie trekked from foster home to foster home for almost a decade. But, when she was nine years old, Valerie was adopted by two loving parents: Edwin and JoAnn Mack. Valerie thrived with the Macks. Her grades improved, she participated in theater, and she showed real leadership potential. But, throughout Valerie’s teen and adult years, she would struggle financially, battle drug abuse, and become

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00:43:36

BONUS: KILLING TIME: DOWN YOU GO

The First Degree ·

2023/05/25

This week the girls and the ginger are back to explore some post-life plans. Turning into a coral reef, maybe a tree? Get launched into the sun? Anything is possible with money! On the stand this week: tasting before ordering a flight, milk, businesses answering the phones with a simple “hello?”, and toe shoes!! Plus! A worstie with some toothbrush treachery!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy Metal Project:

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01:00:39

Episode 249: Shannan Gilbert, et al. (LISK Part 2)

The First Degree ·

2023/05/24

On May 1st of 2010, 23-year-old Shannan Gilbert gets into a black SUV with her hired driver and de facto security guard, Michael Pak. Shannan and Michael travel from New York City’s Manhattan to a wealthy gated community on Long Island known as Oak Beach. Shannan, a sex worker, enters the home of her client, Joseph Brewer. Three hours later, Shannan runs screaming from Brewer’s home. She calls 911 and, although she is sometimes incoherent, clearly conveys that someone is trying to kill her. By the

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00:37:37

LISK: Getting to Know Shannan Gilbert

The First Degree ·

2023/05/19

Shannan Gilbert was an aspiring actress, singer, and writer. After overcoming her tumultuous childhood, Shannan moved to New York City for her big break. In order to make ends meet while she began her career in entertainment, Shannan turned to sex work. On May 1st of 2010, 23-year-old Shannan Maria Gilbert went missing after visiting a sex work client in a gated community called Oak Beach which is located on Long Island. The ensuing investigation for Shannan would reveal ten sets of human remains

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00:48:54

BONUS: KILLING TIME: HELLO DARKNESS

The First Degree ·

2023/05/18

Grab a flashlight! This week the girls and the ginger are getting dark! That’s right! Radiation poisoning, humans birthing rabbits, dancing to death, being buried alive, OH MY! On the stand today: top sheets, joint bachelor/bachelorette parties, FaceTime selfie cam fixation, and leaving time left on the microwave! Then! A worstie spices things up!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy Metal Project:

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00:48:35

Episode 248: Megan Waterman (LISK Part 1)

The First Degree ·

2023/05/17

In the early morning of June 6th, 2010, 22-year-old Megan Waterman walks out of a hotel on Long Island and is never seen alive again. A week prior, Megan and her boyfriend, Akeem Cruz, traveled from Maine to New York for business purposes. Megan was a sex worker and Akeem was her pimp. Every few months, the couple would go to New York so Megan could meet with clients for sex work. Once they had made a suitable profit, Megan and Akeem returned home to Maine. But this time, Megan couldn’t go home. On

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00:50:19

BONUS: KILLING TIME: M’LADY

The First Degree ·

2023/05/11

Hear ye, hear ye! This week the girls and the ginger are headed to the Renaissance Pleasure Fair! Lace up your tunics, sharpen your axes and join us for some medieval mayhem! On the stand this week: interrogating an only child, tramp stamps, rules, and turkey in general! Then! A worstie blames a buddy!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤

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00:46:10

Episode 247: Cindy Ching Stevens

The First Degree ·

2023/05/10

On January 12, 2006, a 44 year old woman is shot at her home in Houston, Texas. The community is in a state of disbelief. The wife and mother of two leaves behind a devastated family in an attack that appeared to come out of nowhere. However, when friends and family come to learn the perpetrator’s identity, the shockwaves continue to ripple outward. On the surface, the killer is the last person you might suspect. But underneath a veneer of respectability and a happy home, the signs of deep

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00:44:55

BONUS: KILLING TIME: SAY WHAT?

The First Degree ·

2023/05/04

This week the girls and the ginger return with some erroneous excerpts! That’s right, we’ve all been misquoting Marilyn Monroe this whole time. And Gandhi?! On the stand this week: misspelled names, naps, cohost couples, and night owls! Then! A worstie with a budget airline blunder!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤 Facebook:

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00:49:20

Episode 246: Sam Olson

The First Degree ·

2023/05/03

On the evening of May 27, 2021, police in Houston, Texas, receive a report of a missing 5 year old boy. Everyone in the youngster’s family are beside themselves with worry and make public pleas for his return. A large scale search search operation commences, but as the days pass with no further developments, the outlook isn’t good. Finally a tip comes in. But when investigators follow up, it’s tragically too late. Only six days after the young boy is reported missing, his body is found in a motel

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00:48:49

BONUS: KILLING TIME: MOST LIKELY TO…

The First Degree ·

2023/04/27

This week the girls and the ginger return with a quiz. Who’s most likely to get a tramp stamp? Urinate in public? And more! On the stand this week: The Hamburglar, Trader Joe’s parking lots, sandwiches for dinner, and meat mascots. Then! A worstie with a menstrual mishap! Enjoy!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee👤 Facebook:

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00:56:46

Episode 245: La’Reko Williams

The First Degree ·

2023/04/26

On the evening of July 20th, 2011, 21-year-old La’Reko Antonious Williams goes to the movies with his girlfriend in Charlotte, North Carolina. As they prepare to go home using public transportation, the young couple begins arguing. The situation turns violent. Several bystanders call 911, and Police Officer Michael Forbes arrives on the scene. After a tense conversation, Officer Forbes commands La’Reko to get on the ground. When La’Reko doesn’t comply, Officer Forbes tases him in the chest. La’Reko

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00:46:19

BONUS: KILLING TIME: 420

The First Degree ·

2023/04/20

This week the girls and the ginger are dazed and confused about the origin of the term “420”. Follow us to the Mount Rushmore of reefer as we uncover the true meaning behind the numbers! Then! On the stand this week: cakes for Christ, capybaras, reclining your airplane seat, and the dodo! And finally, a worstie firstie you may have heard last week on accident! Oops!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram:

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