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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

00:46:19

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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00:46:04

Episode 244: The O'Connell Funeral Home Murders Part 2

The First Degree ·

2023/04/19

When the murders of Dan O’Connell and James Ellison had all but gone cold, new detectives caught a break while investigating a complaint made against a priest from the local church. From there the case unraveled quickly, and culminated in another shocking death. Once the truth was revealed things in Hudson would never be the same, and the feelings of shock and betrayal still linger today.🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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00:51:11

BONUS: KILLING TIME: PUMPKIN EATER

The First Degree ·

2023/04/13

This week on Killing Time, the girls and the ginger are back and we’re diving into some cheating scandals that rocked our pop culture worlds! That’s right, cheater cheater pumpkin eaters! Scandoval, Shania, Tiger Woods! Then on the stand this week, we have reboots, old socks, and sun exposure! PLUS the sexual cowboy returns to prosecute pushy passengers! And finally, a Worstie gets ringtone revenge! All that and more this week on Killing Time!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full

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00:56:35

Episode 243: The O'Connell Funeral Home Murders Part 1

The First Degree ·

2023/04/12

The city of Hudson, Wisconsin was rocked when Dan O’Connell and James Ellison were found gunned down in the office of The O’Connell Funeral home. The case would take years to solve and an array of theories tore investigators in several directions. The case was all but cold when a new lead emerged unexpectedly, leading detectives right to the door of Hudson’s local Catholic Church. Tune in next week for part 2 of our coverage on this case. 🎟 Don't want to wait for Episode 2? Join us on

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00:48:50

BONUS: KILLING TIME: WORM RAIN

The First Degree ·

2023/04/06

This week the girls and the ginger are back with more unsolicited advice in our new segment ask a girl, ask a ginger! But before we get to the throwaway therapy, we’ve got some bitchin’ to do. On the stand this week: overly nice drivers, men’s haircuts, regular rain, and worm rain. PLUS! A worstie minces words!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok:

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01:06:42

Episode 242: Nicole Crystal Sinkule

The First Degree ·

2023/04/05

On October 16th, 2005, the 25-year-old daughter of today's first degree guests had her life taken while she was asleep in her Oceanside, California apartment. The place where she was supposed to feel most safe. Nicole Sinkule's family and friends were beyond horrified upon learning the news... they were gutted, heartbroken and enraged. And while the perpetrator was quickly apprehended - the aftermath, his prosecution and eventual conviction were only the first steps in a long and painful battle to

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00:50:39

BONUS: KILLING TIME: APRIL FOOLERY

The First Degree ·

2023/03/30

This week the girls and the ginger are talking all about pranks! That’s right, it’s spoof and goof season, and we’re going all-in on April fools. Come with us as we dive into not only the origin of the holiday but some of the most legendary leg-pulls of all time! Then! On the stand today we have: chicken salad, Vanderpump Rules, Selena Gomez, and new friends! We’re truly all over the place so settle in and get ready to kill some time with us!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full

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00:56:14

Episode 241: Jeff Wood

The First Degree ·

2023/03/29

On January 2, 1996, a 31 year old gas station clerk is shot and killed on the job in Kerrville, Texas. The killer then forces his friend at gunpoint, who is waiting outside, to steal $11,000 in cash and checks. The men are quickly arrested, with the accomplice leading police to the murder weapon. Despite having no knowledge of the plan beforehand, the accomplice is charged with murder, along with the killer. What ensues is a nightmare legal battle for one man to prove that while he was at the scene

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00:44:42

BONUS: KILLING TIME: PIGEONS

The First Degree ·

2023/03/23

This week the girls and the ginger are on a quest to discover the true meaning behind some phrases we all use day-to-day. Should be a piece of cake. Piece of cake? There’s a story behind that. Then! On the stand this week: PortaPotties, Premature bag retrieval, Lisa Frank, and the word MOIST! And finally, a Worstie with one of the shittiest stories we’ve heard yet!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram:

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00:58:59

Episode 240: Jessica Berry

The First Degree ·

2023/03/22

On July 18th, 2016, 32-year-old Jessica Loraine Berry gets into a red car with a friend. She is never seen again. Six days later, Jessica’s family reports her missing to the local police. Jessica’s family points them to a local veteran: 47-year-old Richard Allen Hurt. The detectives interview Richard briefly, but their investigation slows down quickly because Jessica is a known drug addict. Investigators suspect Jessica is not missing, and is keeping a low-profile during a drug binge. But on July

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00:45:58

BONUS: KILLING TIME: OWN YOUR SHIT

The First Degree ·

2023/03/16

This week the girls and the ginger are taking a brief look into the Scarlet Letter and the value of owning your shit! Speaking of, we’re starting a new segment to help you own your shit! Ask a girl, ask a ginger! Advice from your favorite non-qualified true-crime hosts! On the stand this week: illegally tinted windows, Diet Coke, crowding the baggage claim, and grocery store cart etiquette! Then, a worstie goes grinch!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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00:55:31

Episode 239: HitmanForHire.Net

The First Degree ·

2023/03/15

On the morning of Saturday, September 16th, 2006, 51-year-old Essam Ahmed Eid and his wife, 43-year-old Teresa Engle, meet with 23-year-old mortgage broker Anne “Lauryn” Royston to refinance their home. As the meeting begins, Eid reveals his true intentions: he is a hitman, and he was hired to kill Lauryn. According to Eid, Lauryn can escape death if she pays him $20,000 within three days. The FBI and Lauryn work together to arrest Eid, the creator of a nefarious website under the domain

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00:49:36

BONUS: KILLING TIME: BARBIE BLUNDERS

The First Degree ·

2023/03/09

This week the girls and the ginger are toying around with the most bizarro Barbie blunders of all time! Then, on the stand this week: wacky wedding dances, toothbrushes in the dishwasher, making eye contact with TSA, and small talk before a favor! ALSO! A distracted driver avoids detention! All that and more on Killing Time!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok:

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00:52:49

Episode 238: Rebeca Peña

The First Degree ·

2023/03/08

On April 10th, 2001, actress 26-year-old Rebeca Peña works on the film Muhammad Ali in Miami, Florida. Late that night, Rebeca leaves the set and drives to her Miramar apartment. No one ever sees her again. Six days later, fishermen find a suitcase floating in a Miami canal with Rebeca’s body inside. The police investigation reveals that Rebeca’s ex-boyfriend and the father of her child, 26-year-old Berkley Calvin Curtis Jr., may have been involved in Rebeca’s death. For years, Rebeca accused

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00:54:57

BONUS: KILLING TIME: BODIES

The First Degree ·

2023/03/02

This week the girls and the ginger are digging deep! About six feet to be exact! That’s right, we’re talking grave robberies! On the stand this week: calling women females, men calling themselves boys, awkward street crossings, and untidy spaces! Then! Mayhem in the mosh pit as one of The Maine’s fans calls in with a worst thing they’ve ever done!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram:

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00:56:59

Episode 237: Nina Viktoria Hilt

The First Degree ·

2023/03/01

On July 2, 2005, 911 is called to respond to a 2 year old adopted girl in Manassas, Virginia, who’s not breathing. At the hospital, medical staff find the girl has suffered severe internal injuries. Not only are the injuries quickly determined to be suspicious, but they were sustained a full day before medical attention is sought for the toddler. Hospital staff quickly notify the authorities. It’s too late to save the young girl’s life, but when the heat is turned up on her mother, nobody

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00:42:05

BONUS: KILLING TIME: BOTCHED

The First Degree ·

2023/02/23

This week the girls and the ginger are back in the studio and we’re diving deep into the wild world of botched executions. Uplifting stuff really! But before we wallow in the gallows, on the stand this week we have some candy charges : mysterious strawberry treats, werthers originals, tootsie rolls, and ludens!! Then! Our first video worstie call! Join us!!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸 Instagram:

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00:51:32

Episode 236: Sidney Ann Merrick

The First Degree ·

2023/02/22

On Monday, September 26th, 1983, 21-year-old Sidney Ann Merrick drives from Salt Lake City to Park City, Utah, to run an errand for her boss. While heading eastbound on I-80, Sidney’s car breaks down. Less than an hour later, Sidney’s body is discovered on an off-ramp near Parleys Summit. She’s been stabbed to death. Eyewitnesses traveling along the freeway place 33-year-old Wesley Allen Tuttle at the scene. Tuttle is apprehended while trying to flee the country and swiftly convicted of first-degree

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00:46:20

BONUS: KILLING TIME: BABERAHAM LINCOLN

The First Degree ·

2023/02/16

This week the girls and the ginger are here with some fascinating facial hair facts. One in particular actually. The story of Abraham Lincoln’s iconic beard! It’s four score and seven shaves ago, and the story is certainly one you won’t expect. On the stand this week: voice notes, folded potato chips, mayo on fries, and stinkin’ it up at the gym. PLUS! A New Years kiss of death!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree📸

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00:45:01

Episode 235: Oscar Alvarado

The First Degree ·

2023/02/15

On August 22, 2010, a 22 year old Salvadoran man is repeatedly stabbed to death in the backseat of a car in broad daylight in Charlotte, North Carolina. Witnesses to the brutal slaying call in the attack to 911. Straight away law enforcement is sure this is a drug deal gone wrong. Later that day a 17 year old young woman and her 18 year old boyfriend are apprehended at a hotel, along with the murder weapon. At the time of the murder, Charlotte is awash with heroin, so officers aren’t surprised about

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