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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

00:46:32

KILLING TIME: SLIP N' SLIDE FROM HELL

The First Degree ·

2021/07/22

This week on Killing Time, the girls and the goth talk about the history of 911 and react to a few classic 911 calls. Plus, they put Britney Spears' conservatorship on the stand, and have a spirited debate about cheese on chicken sandwiches. Later, they come up with new ways to increase male listenership. Billy will have to do a lot more work. 🎟 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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00:46:50

Episode 154: Peter Porco Part 1

The First Degree ·

2021/07/21

A man doesn’t show up to his job. A co-worker goes to check on him and sees a smear of blood on the front door. Inside, he finds the man dead, his head bludgeoned. Upstairs, his wife is in bed, clinging to life. And under the covers is a bloody axe. Who could have done this? In episode 154, Jac, Alexis and Billy begin to unravel the horrifying tale of Peter and Joan Porco. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy

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00:47:30

KILLING TIME: PASTA SMOOTHIES

The First Degree ·

2021/07/15

This week on Killing Time, the girls and the goth dive into the bizarre murders in the happiest country in the world! Plus, they debate the Seinfeld finale, why people hate on women’s voices, and brainstorm a better replacement for paper / pasta straws. No penne Alfredo smoothies, please! 🎟 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🕺

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00:48:01

Episode 153: Alex Stevens Part 3

The First Degree ·

2021/07/14

Megan Shaffer has been arrested for the murder of Alex Stevens. And after months of speculation, we finally hear what Megan says happened that night. She claims that she and Stevens went to the woods to burn possessions in a cleansing ritual. But then they fell off a cliff, both became injured and Stevens asked her to help take his own life. Will the jury believe her? In episode 153, Jac, Alexis and Billy conclude the tale of Alex Stevens and Megan Shaffer. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per

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00:45:42

KILLING TIME: DATING SHOWS ARE BANANAS

The First Degree ·

2021/07/08

This week on Killing Time, the girls and the goth take dating games, bridesmaids and bachelor parties to the stand. They also listen to another "worst thing I have ever done story" that involves a toothbrush. Please support the show by checking out our sponsors! Daily Harvest: Go to DAILY HARVEST.com and enter code FIRST to get $25 off your first box! Upstart: Find out how Upstart can lower your monthly payments today when you go to UPSTART.com/FIRSTDEGREE Noom:Sign up for your trial at

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00:49:54

Episode 152: Alex Stevens Part 2

The First Degree ·

2021/07/07

A woman who had gone missing breaks into a cabin and calls the police. She is naked, her back and shoulder broken. She tells them that she was with a friend and they fell off a cliff together. She tells them she’s still in the woods, and he didn’t make it. But when they find his naked body, they discover his throat has been slashed. In episode 152, Jac, Alexis and Billy continue the tale of Alex Stevens and Megan Shaffer, which now includes a possible motive.Please support the show by checking out

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00:45:01

KILLING TIME: SOCKS IN THE CITY

The First Degree ·

2021/07/01

This week on Killing Time, the girls and the goth take their listeners requests to the stand! It’s time to settle the debate once and for all about pineapple on pizza, wearing socks to bed, and if a hot dog is actually a sandwich (or is it simply just a meat sling?). They dive into bizarre pandemic crimes, and Billy's hat of sadness is mocked once again. 🎟 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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00:37:48

Episode 151: Alex Stevens Part 1

The First Degree ·

2021/06/30

In the middle of the night, a man and a woman go missing in the woods of Savage River State Forest. Their friend finds their cars at the trailhead, along with a pet cat in a carrier, candles and a bottle of motor oil. The events that unfold over the next 24 hours will create one of the most perplexing cases in true crime. In episode 151, Jac, Alexis and Billy begin the tale of Alex Stevens and Megan Shaffer.Stitch Fix: Get started today at StitchFix.com/FIRSTDEGREE and you’ll get 25% off when you

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00:43:44

KILLING TIME: CAMP TRAUMA

The First Degree ·

2021/06/24

This week, the girls, the goth and the ginger party like it’s the summer of 2001! We debate if Friends is funny or not, try to convince Bennifer to televise their wedding, and Jac reveals the bizarre “games” she played at church camp. This week's got Ted Bundy, King Henry the 8th, blowing up cars, heavy petting, and so much more. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com📸

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00:59:32

Episode 150: Down the Stairs

The First Degree ·

2021/06/23

News travels through a middle school in the Pacific Northwest—the wife of a well-liked teacher has died of a tragic accident. But when the police arrive at the scene, things just don’t add up. Then they check the search history on the computer. On episode 150, Jac, Alexis, Billy tell a tale of middle school teacher affairs, Craigslist threesomes and a sociopath hiding in plain sight. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️

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00:40:13

KILLING TIME: BUTTCHEEKS OF JUSTICE

The First Degree ·

2021/06/17

This week, the girls, the goth and the ginger do a deep dive into notorious crime cars. Billy gets booped, Lex gushes over the return of Costco samples, and Jac disparages the modern day loofah. Plus, you’ll never look at brushing your teeth the same way again. 🎟 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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00:47:49

Episode 149: Catholic Supply Store Killer Part 2

The First Degree ·

2021/06/16

After being arrested for sexually assaulting two women, and killing a third woman at a Catholic supply store in St. Louis, Missouri, the authorities look deeper into their suspect. Could this horrific and brazen crime have been his only offense? In episode 149, Jac, Alexis and Billy investigate the other potential crimes of Thomas Bruce. 🎟 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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00:44:51

KILLING TIME: Killer Sound

The First Degree ·

2021/06/10

This week on a very special musical themed Killing Time, the girls, the goth, and the ginger dish on Mario Lopez's 2 week marriage. Billy condemns late 90's alt bands, Lex defends Lil Nas X's sexual pants split, Jac leads the emo resurgence, and Jared mediates with his ginger locks and musical precision. 🎟 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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00:44:41

Episode 148: Catholic Supply Store Killer Part 1

The First Degree ·

2021/06/09

In November, 2018, a 911 call comes in from a store in the suburbs of St. Louis. A man had just walked into the Catholic supply store with a gun. He ordered three women inside to perform sex acts on him. When one of them said no, he shot her in the head and then fled. In episode 148, Jac, Alexis and Billy tell the tale of the hunt for the rapist and killer, which ends with an arrest of a supposed man of god. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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00:42:21

KILLING TIME: OH, THE PROFANITY!

The First Degree ·

2021/06/03

This week on Killing Time, the girls and the goth defend crime podcast profanity, critique cold-calling without a heads-up text, and hard core call out Lori Vallow & Casey Anthony, Please support the show by checking out our sponsors! Barre3: Listeners get a 15 day free trail & 75% your subscription go to Barre3.com/firstdegree 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com📸

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00:44:52

Episode 147: Sabrina Bebb-Jones Part 2

The First Degree ·

2021/06/02

31 year-old mother Sabrina Bebb-Jones is missing. Everyone thinks the husband knows something, but no one can prove anything. After a year, he sells the motel they owned together and moves to England to start his new life—as a professional poker player. In episode 147, Jac, Alexis and Billy tell the tale of how a discovery in the desert and a $100,000 poker win sealed the fate of a killer.Please support the show by checking out our sponsors!StoryWorth: Give your dad the most meaningful gift this

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00:56:07

KILLING TIME: LAST MEALS

The First Degree ·

2021/05/27

This week on Killing Time, the girls and the goth talk about washing your legs in the shower, the utility of golf, whether the mullet is a good look, famous last meals, and human reviews. Noom: Sign up for your trial today at noom.com/FIRSTDEGREE Upstart: Find out how Upstart can lower your monthly payments today when you go to UPSTART.com/FIRSTDEGREE. 🎟 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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00:32:00

Episode 146: Sabrina Bebb-Jones Part 1

The First Degree ·

2021/05/26

A young couple drops off their child with a babysitter for a quick romantic getaway to Dinosaur National Park. But when the trip is over, only the husband returns to pick up the child. His wife? He says she just got up and left him. In episode 146, Jac, Alexis and Billy begin a tale that includes a missing persons investigation, a move overseas, a big poker tournament win and a desert full of lies,Please support the show by checking out our sponsors!Magic Spoon: Get your next delicious bowl of

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00:47:38

KILLING TIME: Beware the Murder Hornets

The First Degree ·

2021/05/20

This week on Killing Time, the girls and the goth dish on Scott Peterson theories, Jac's unreasonable love for bucket hats, the enigma that is Gwennyth Paltrow, murder hornets, and whether blindfolding your friend and leaving them in an abandoned warehouse is an appropriate birthday surprise. 🎟 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🕺

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00:42:07

Episode 145: A Murder in Cement

The First Degree ·

2021/05/19

When word spread throughout Cement High School that Billie Joe Powell, a 16-year-old high school sophomore, had shot and killed her father—no one was sure if it was true. It was. But the reason why she did it would expose an entire system that failed to protect her. In episode 145, Jac, Alexis and Billy tell the tale of a teenage girl who fought back against the abuse her family suffered at the hands of her father.Please support the show by checking out our sponsors!Seed: Visit seed.com/FIRSTDEGREE

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