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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

00:48:23

Episode 183: Dee Dee Blanchard

The First Degree ·

2022/02/16

A woman and her disabled daughter relocate to Missouri after losing everything in Hurricane Katrina. They become local celebrities after residents hear what the mother and daughter have been through. For years, the community rallies around them, gathering donations, organizing fundraisers, and more. Then one day, out of nowhere, the mother is found murdered and her disabled daughter is nowhere to be found. A frantic search for the girl begins, and when she’s found, authorities realize everything

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00:39:55

BONUS: KILLING TIME- VALENTINE VAMPIRES

The First Degree ·

2022/02/10

This week the girls and the goth get in the romantic mood and get to the bottom of the dark history of Valentine’s Day! They debate sending carnations in elementary school, buying yourself flowers just cuz….and why is Billy so obsessed with sexy vampires? 🎟 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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00:50:44

Episode 182: Charlie Oppenneer & Brooke Slocum

The First Degree ·

2022/02/09

An eight month pregnant teenager and her boyfriend post an ad on Craigslist, hoping to trade sex for cash. A user named “Mike's Hard” reaches out, and they make plans to meet at a local park. The couple leave their apartment and drive to the park, but they never return home. Four days later, the boyfriend is found decapitated in the park, near his abandoned car. The pregnant girlfriend is nowhere to be found. Investigators track down Mike's Hard, but they’re too late - he’s already taken the

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00:40:06

BONUS: KILLING TIME- THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED

The First Degree ·

2022/02/03

This week the girls and the goth learn about the spooky circumstances surrounding Buddy Holly and the Day The Music Died. They debate bands “selling out”, gen-z TikTok trends, and the atrocity that is fake pockets. Now go throw on “American Pie” for old times sake! 🎟 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:

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00:53:34

Episode 181: Alyssa Bustamante

The First Degree ·

2022/02/02

A 9 year old girl goes to play with her 6 year old neighbor. She’s supposed to be home by 6:00pm, but she never comes back. Hundreds of people search for the girl in 60 acres of dense woods located behind the girl’s home, but there’s no sign of her. Investigators start focusing on the neighbor’s 15 year old sister as a suspect in the disappearance. They bring her in for questioning, and she confesses to killing the girl for a reason that is beyond belief. In episode 181, Jac, Alexis, and Billy

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00:45:58

BONUS: KILLING TIME- DANTE'S INFERNO

The First Degree ·

2022/01/27

This week the girls and the goth go to hell, literally! In this Inferno themed episode, they travel through the 9 circles of hell, and throw out which celebs they’d like to meet in each. They debate the “we need to talk text”, being a traitor to small businesses, and crying on Instagram. Which circle of hell do you think you’ll go to?? 🎟 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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00:55:25

Episode 180: Kaila Tran

The First Degree ·

2022/01/26

A 26 year old Winnipeg woman leaves her apartment and walks to her car. As she opens the door, she is attacked by a man with a knife and stabbed over 30 times. The attacker flees, the woman dies, and a police search ensues. A few days later, a man calls the police and says he was with the killer when the woman was murdered - she was killed to pay off a large drug debt, and the person who ordered the hit was the woman’s boyfriend. Police arrest the killer and the woman’s boyfriend, but none of their

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00:40:36

BONUS: KILLING TIME: ONE MORE SONG!

The First Degree ·

2022/01/20

This week the girls and the goth discuss all of the bizarre ways live shows can go wrong. They debate the concept of mosh pits, taking videos of the concert to post on Instagram, and Alexis’ disdain for t-shirt guns. Also, bet ya didn’t know that Ozzy Osbourne prefers doves over bats! 🎟 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:

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00:49:37

Episode 179: The Gainesville Ripper Part 3

The First Degree ·

2022/01/19

While awaiting trial, Danny Rolling confesses to the five Ripper murders. He sits down with authorities and explains how he brutally murdered the college students in their own homes. Later, Danny pleads not guilty and a trial date is set, but right before proceedings begin, Danny has a change of heart and pleads guilty. He is subsequently sentenced to death, and eventually executed. In episode 179, Jac, Alexis, and Billy conclude their three part series on the Gainesville Ripper, the killer who

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00:44:37

BONUS: KILLING TIME: OH, THE HORROR!

The First Degree ·

2022/01/13

This week the girls and the goth take a cute little road trip to the Amityville Horror house! They chat about the mass murder that took place, the paranormal activity that ensued, and who the hell was Jodi the pig?? Plus, debates about celebrity tequila brands, the gloriousness of teledoc, and how bare feet on planes make us wanna hurl. 🎟 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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00:44:20

Episode 178: The Gainesville Ripper Part 2

The First Degree ·

2022/01/12

Florida investigators are working around the clock to track down and apprehend the Gainesville Ripper, who brutally murdered five college students over the course of four days. After a few months, investigators find the Ripper…in jail. As investigators get a closer look into the man behind the mask, they discover that he is responsible for many other unsolved crimes including the massacre of a family and multiple armed robberies. In episode 178, Jac, Alexis, and Billy lay out the details of how one

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00:49:58

BONUS: KILLING TIME- THAT'S SO 90s

The First Degree ·

2022/01/06

This week the girls and the goth time travel back to the 90s to discuss the biggest scandals of the decade. They’re talking Nancy Kerrigan / Tonya Harding, Pee Wee Herman’s arrest, Pam & Tommy Lee’s sex tape, and the travesty that was Woodstock 99, and their favorite 90s toys! Plus, are vans sexy? 🎟 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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00:39:07

Episode 177: The Gainesville Ripper Part 1

The First Degree ·

2022/01/05

It’s August 1990, and the fall semester is about to start. College students start trickling into the city, and while they’re moving into their new places, they have no idea that a monster has also moved to town: a serial killer who preys on young, unsuspecting female students. At the end of his four day spree, the killer will steal five innocent lives, and leave a small town drowning in fear. In episode 177, Jac, Alexis, and Billy delve into the Gainesville Ripper, a sadistic serial killer who later

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00:50:37

BONUS: KILLING TIME- NEW YEAR NEW US

The First Degree ·

2021/12/30

This week the girls and the goth reminisce on all of the bullshit that 2021 brought them. They debate New Years resolutions, going out on NYE, and the disgusting idea of paying to go to a nightclub. Plus, Billy reads bad reviews (even though we told him not to). 🎟 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:

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00:48:18

Episode 176: See Ya 2021

The First Degree ·

2021/12/29

The very last episode of The First Degree of 2021 is dedicated to the biggest true crime headlines of the year. The trio discusses everything from the bodies discovered during the Gabby Petito case to the recent arrest in the Shopping Cart Killer and more. Plus we play voicemails from our Firsties about their takeaways from the year and hopes for 2022. 🎟 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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00:46:29

BONUS: KILLING TIME- A FESTIVUS MIRACLE

The First Degree ·

2021/12/23

This week the girls and the goth celebrate the very sacred holiday of Festivus! They debate unsolicited gift lists, giving cash as a present, and THE most controversial Christmas song. Plus, the infamous Harry Potter pants shitting story and the inception of BleakFest! 🎟 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:

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00:37:06

Episode 175: Happy Holidaze

The First Degree ·

2021/12/22

Are you the kind of weirdo who is always trying to slip true crime facts into normal conversation? Well you’re in luck, because this week is an unconventional episode of TFD where the gang will supply you with little known tidbits you can talk about over holiday dinner with the fam! Plus they chat about their McDonalds orders, weird modern day cults, and Alexis’ porch pirate. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy

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00:39:54

KILLING TIME: SECRET SANTA

The First Degree ·

2021/12/16

This week the girls and the goth get festive! They discuss different murders committed by Santa himself and debate secret Santa, wool sweaters, and of course… fruit cake. 🎟 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💩 Worst Thing

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01:01:43

Episode 174: Susan Heyliger

The First Degree ·

2021/12/15

It’s closing time at the bar, so a 42 year old bartender checks the bathrooms to make sure they're empty, shoos the lingering patrons out the front door, then locks the deadbolt. Thinking she’s alone and safe in the bar, the bartender starts her list of closing duties. Then, out of nowhere, a man drops out of the ceiling - he is shocked to see the bartender - he thought the bar was empty. A struggle ensues and the bartender fights hard for her life, but the man eventually overcomes her. The man then

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00:47:32

KILLING TIME: THE STAIRCASE

The First Degree ·

2021/12/09

This week the girls and the goth talk about Michael Peterson and dive into all of the bizarre theories surrounding Kathleen Peterson’s death. They debate wearing shoes in the house, hot cocktails, and when is the appropriate time to refill the ice tray? 🎟 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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