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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

00:49:22

BONUS: KILLING TIME: THE VMA’S

The First Degree ·

2023/02/09

This week the girls and the gourmand (Matt’s back!) are taking a trip to the golden days of award television, and we’re talking about all the crazy happenings on the VMA’s over the years. Then, Lex has TWO on the stand’s this week. We’re talking roombas, napkin skimping, TMJ, and… stairs? That’s right, Matt wants to get his steps in! Two Worsties today: one is short and sweet, the other is quite the opposite!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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00:54:59

Episode 234: Ana Carrillo

The First Degree ·

2023/02/08

On September 3, 2017, a 35 year old mother of three goes missing from Wyoming, Michigan, after failing to pick up her three children from her 38 year old ex-boyfriend’s house. The next day, when the woman still hasn’t made contact with anyone, her roommate reports her disappearance. As the weeks turn into months without any sign of the missing woman, the mystery deepens. Her family has their suspicions but can’t be sure about anything until a body is found. But when the killer’s identity and their

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00:53:43

BONUS: KILLING TIME: THE OREGON TRAIL

The First Degree ·

2023/02/02

This week the girls and the ginger are heading west to discover all the different ways you can die on the Oregon trail! On the stand this week: the pronunciation of Oregon, not wearing shoes, barging onto an elevator, and excessive group texts! ALSO! Another worstie with a sexual sin! Hallelujah!🎟 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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01:01:31

Episode 233: Lauri Waterman

The First Degree ·

2023/02/01

On the afternoon of Sunday, November 14th, 2004, Carl “Doc” Waterman and his 16-year-old daughter, Rachelle Waterman, return home to small-town Craig, Alaska, after a weekend trip. But, when they enter their house, Doc and Rachelle notice something strange: an empty wine bottle, a wine glass, and no sign of Rachelle’s mother, 48-year-old Lauri Waterman. In a forest 40 miles north of Craig, local hunters find a still-burning Chrysler van with bones inside. Experts confirm they are Lauri’s human

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00:55:38

BONUS: KILLING TIME: HOLLY MADISON

The First Degree ·

2023/01/26

This week, the girls are joined again by the one and only Holly Madison for a Killing Time of epic proportions! Turns out, Holly brought her own On The Stand, so we’re putting on the stand compact car spaces, Playboy bunny tanning stickers, and body glitter! Then for this week’s true crime rewind, we’re taking a deep dive into the sometimes dark and always intriguing inner workings of the Playboy lifestyle!Also - Don't miss Holly's new show "The Playboy Murders" airing on Discovery ID and streaming

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01:10:37

Episode 232: Stacy Arthur with Holly Madison

The First Degree ·

2023/01/25

Playboy is an internationally recognized brand and household name. Whether you were a fan of E!’s hit reality show Girls’ Next Door or whether your brother had a stack of playboys under his mattress- you’ve been exposed to Playboy. Considering the indulgences that the Playboy brand represents-- sex, money, women, and power-- it should be no surprise how many crimes are connected to the institution. And today, with the help of the incomparable Holly Madison, we're going to take you through one of

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00:43:23

BONUS: KILLING TIME: EDGAR ALLAN POEM

The First Degree ·

2023/01/19

This week the girls and the ginger are waxing poetic as they learn some perplexing and polarizing facts about Poe. That’s right, Edgar Allan Poe. Did you know the dude was a lightweight? Anyways. On the stand this week: bathroom door disturbances, self-quoting poets, and sweet gherkins! PLUS! A firstie worstie with some poorly timed bad news! Get ready to snap those fingers, it’s a poem party!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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00:57:30

Episode 231: Marcell Eads Jr.

The First Degree ·

2023/01/18

On June 29, 2001, the badly beaten body of a 58 year old Native American man is pulled from his burning home in Wichita, Kansas. The victim has been robbed and left for dead before his attackers set the house ablaze. Within hours, police learn that an 18 year old man and a 16 year old teen may know something about the murder. As police talk to associates of the young men, and the victim’s own family, it becomes apparent that the perpetrators have committed a hate crime - they claim the victim, who

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00:55:02

Episode 230: Bennie William Schuck

The First Degree ·

2023/01/11

In the early 2000s, the US Army opens a misconduct investigation on Bennie William Schuck II. Bennie’s teenage daughter is accusing him of sexually molesting her seven years ago when she was only five years old. But, when the Criminal Investigation Division struggles to secure an interview with the daughter, they close the investigation. Eleven years later, Bennie retires from the US Army as a respected Sergeant First Class. During his military tenure, Bennie was deployed twice, received multiple

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00:52:55

BONUS: KILLING TIME: THE MOSCOW MURDERS

The First Degree ·

2023/01/09

This week, we're releasing our Killing Time episode early to discuss the Idaho Murders. Jac and Lex will be discussing the strange details surrounding the case, and what we know so far after the release of an affadavit on Thursday.🎟 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: facebook.com/thefirstdegree⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889💩 Worst

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00:41:31

BONUS: KILLING TIME: DEAD CELEB ISLAND

The First Degree ·

2023/01/05

🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegreeGreetings and Happy New Year Firsties! It’s our first Killing Time of 2023 and we’ve got a lot to talk about. On the stand today: multi-level Target stores, bottle service, small talk with your dentist, and byobh (bring your own bottle home). Then we’re doing a deep dive into the wild world of famous alleged celebrity deaths! Then, our Worsties call in with a pregnancy predicament and a

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00:39:01

Episode 229: The Milwaukee Ave Massacre

The First Degree ·

2023/01/04

On November 26, 1981, four men are killed and two others are wounded in a shooting massacre on Thanksgiving night in Chicago, Illinois. The murders make headlines as being the worst multiple slayings in the city in four years. In the coming days, police arrest four Mexican nationals over the killings, who also all happen to belong to one family. It soon emerges that the circumstances leading to the massacre are buried in a deep and ongoing dispute between the accused and victims families, resulting

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00:49:11

BONUS: KILLING TIME: NEW YEAR, SAME US

The First Degree ·

2022/12/29

This week, the girls and the ginger are back to ring in the new year! That’s right, it’s the week after Christmas and nobody really knows what to do with their lives. Might as well put some final things on the stand. We’re talking resolutions, a midnight kiss, and cheap advent calendar chocolates. Next, a new segment! Reddit Said It! A deep dive into the blunders of internet strangers! And finally, a worstie firstie with a story we’ve named “Pee Bong”. Happy New Year! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus

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01:01:03

Episode 228: Dr. Ricardo Cruciani

The First Degree ·

2022/12/28

From 2002 to 2017, 63-year-old Dr. Ricardo Cruciani practices medicine as an esteemed anesthesiologist, neurologist, and pain management specialist. He works in multiple renowned medical facilities where he treats patients with severe chronic pain by providing them with extremely high doses of prescription opioid painkillers. Cruciani’s work in pain management is widely lauded, and his peers consider him a gifted physician. But, in 2016, Cruciani’s employer receives eight complaints about his

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00:54:45

BONUS: KILLING TIME: CHRISTMAS IS CREEPY

The First Degree ·

2022/12/22

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you wonderful Firsties out there! Today’s Killing Time is all about spreading the holiday cheer, but first, we’re taking the elf off the shelf and putting him on the stand! Also, Mistletoe! Santa?! Adult gifting!? Then! We brought PRESENTS! Lots of presents! And finally, a Worstie Firstie with pants on fire. Yule laugh, yule cry, but whatever you do, don’t shoot out your eye! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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00:48:54

Episode 227: Udoamaka Nwamu, Kaliyah Ratliff & Nikita...

The First Degree ·

2022/12/21

On June 6, 2021, a 24 year old woman and her 46 year old mother are shot to death inside the older woman’s home in Douglasville, Georgia by an intruder. The sudden and brutal double murder destroys the lives of the women’s families. The younger woman had recently moved back home following the breakdown of her marriage, and was finding her feet outside the relationship. Sadly for the grieving families involved, there will be no resolution, no closure, no retribution, no punishment, and no justice

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00:41:08

BONUS: KILLING TIME: BABY ONE MORE TIME

The First Degree ·

2022/12/15

This week the girls and the ginger become song sleuths to uncover the true meaning behind those sugary pop anthems from the 90’s and beyond! From Barbie Girl to Britney, it’s time to learn what we’ve all actually been singing about. Then! On The Stand heats up with cold leftovers, stork signs, nausea and more! PLUS! A worstie puts a lunch thief in their place with a spicy surprise! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The

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00:40:08

Episode 226: Mayra De Loa

The First Degree ·

2022/12/14

On December 20, 2003, a 19 year old college student is stabbed 19 times outside an apartment complex in Garland, Texas. It’s a heartbreaking loss for the family and friends of a young woman who had such promise. The victim was an intelligent, ambitious sophomore and talented flutist who played in her university’s renowned marching band. Thankfully, her killer is apprehended at the scene and confesses not long after. But the pain and trauma continues when the attacker tries to plead insanity, despite

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00:41:43

BONUS: KILLING TIME: LIKE, LITERALLY!

The First Degree ·

2022/12/08

This week the girls and the ginger are talking about some pretty unbelievable real life crimes that were inspired by fiction! John Lennon, Dexter, Stephen King, Vampires!! It’s all here! On the stand this week: waiting in lines! Watching tv with captions! MORNING SHRIMP?!?! Plus! A worstie firstie with a poster prank that will leave you perplexed! 🎟 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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00:51:30

Episode 225: Dawsyn, reclaimed

The First Degree ·

2022/12/07

Anyone who has been abused or harmed deserves justice. The kind of justice validated by a courtroom trial and a guilty verdict. But our justice system is an imperfect one. Not everyone’s monster gets punished. Today’s story will show you that a lack of courtroom justice doesn’t mean failure. We’re in control of how we prevail over trauma. And every monster is responsible for the crimes they commit- even if they escape the law. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes

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