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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

00:46:12

KILLING TIME: Jac Hates Birthday Weeks!

The First Degree ·

2021/05/13

This week on Killing Time, Jac, Alexis and Billy talk about Jac's disdain for the adult birthday week, Billy argues that Hootie & The Blowfish are just as goth as The Cure, and pandemic accessorizing with Alexis. 🎟 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⚖️

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00:35:16

Episode 144: A Murder in Ninnekah

The First Degree ·

2021/05/12

A high school junior calls her boyfriend from a payphone in front of an abandoned convenience store—then she’s never heard from again. Her family begins a frantic search, which ends by the creek. In episode 144, Jac, Alexis and Billy tell the tragic small town horror story that forever changed the fabric of this community.Please support the show by checking out the sponsors below:Thrive: Visit ThriveCausemetics.com/degree for 15% off your first order!Warby Parker: Try 5 pairs of glasses at home for

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00:54:35

KILLING TIME: Oh, The Humanity!

The First Degree ·

2021/05/06

This week on Killing Time, Jac, Alexis & Billy explore historic explosions, secret underground tunnels, the many methods of execution, bare legs on airplanes, the cilantro controversy and Elon Musk's baby. 🎟 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

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00:45:39

Episode 143: "The Formans"

The First Degree ·

2021/05/05

A young mother fails to show up for work. Her husband says his wife, Clara, is sick. But a welfare check is conducted at her house. Her husband now says Clara left him and took the kids with her. The police conduct a search of the house anyway—and discover the truth. In episode 143, Jac, Alexis and Billy cover the tragic case of the Forman family. 🎟 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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00:48:46

Episode 142: Patricia Marquez

The First Degree ·

2021/04/28

A couple’s argument at a local watering hole leads to an altercation. The drunk and belligerent man is asked to leave by the bar owner and a good samaritan. As he walks away, he vows revenge. In episode 142, Jac, Alexis and Billy tell a tale of how domestic violence can not only affects members of the family—but anyone in the vicinity. 🎟 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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00:25:10

Episode 141: Ski Mask Rapist Part 2

The First Degree ·

2021/04/21

The conclusion of our two part series on The Bay Area Ski Mask Rapist. Please support the show by checking out our sponsors! Daily Harvest: Go to DAILYHARVEST.com and enter promo code FIRST to get twenty-five dollars off your first box! Audible: Visit Audible.com/degree or text degree to 500-500 OSEA: Get 10% off your first order with my promo code FIRSTDEGREE at OSEAmalibu.com Barre3: Go to barre3.com/FIRSTDEGREE and enter promo code FIRSTDEGREE to unlock 30% off today. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus

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00:32:04

Episode 140: Ski Mask Rapist Part 1

The First Degree ·

2021/04/14

A young woman is on the phone with her boyfriend, who is out of town on a business trip. She is home alone. She feels a chill, and goes to the thermostat to turn up the heat. But it’s on full blast? Then she looks at the window and realizes why the chill—it’s open, and outside, underneath it is a chair. She runs out of the house, and a swarm of cops run out of the bushes? What the hell is going on? In episode 140, Jac, Alexis and Billy tell the story of the Ski Mask Rapist, and how his reign of

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00:53:31

Episode 139: Cathy Callahan

The First Degree ·

2021/04/07

A young girl watches her mother as she answers the phone. She can tell by her body language that something isn’t right. But she had no idea how the world of her family was about to be turned upside down. In episode 139, Jac, Alexis and Billy discuss the attitudes of domestic violence in the 1970s and the case of Cathy Callahan. 🎟 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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01:05:56

Episode 138: Kelsie Schelling Part 2

The First Degree ·

2021/03/31

Last week we took you through the Feb 4th, 2013 disappearance of 21-year-old Kelsie Schelling. She was on her way to visit her boyfriend—the father of her unborn baby. Based on all the evidence, seemingly everyone believe they knew he was responsible. But the Pueblo police department refused to act . On episode 138, Jac, Alexis and Billy conclude the story of Donthe Lucas and Kelsie Schelling.Please support the show by checking out our sponsors!Fitish:Try Fitish CBD for yourself to get the best

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01:02:29

Episode 137: Kelsie Schelling Part 1

The First Degree ·

2021/03/24

22-year-old Kelsie Schelling has just learned that she was pregnant. She texted a picture of the ultrasound to her boyfriend, Donthe Lucas and drove two hours to see him. Then she disappeared. In episode 137, Jac, Alexis and Billy begin to tell the dark tale of Donthe and KelsiePlease support the show by checking out our sponsors!Fitish CBD: Go to FITISH.com and enter the CODE (FIRSTDEGREE15) at checkout for 15% off your orderAudible: Visit Audible.com/degree or text degree to 500-500OSEA: You can

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00:56:14

Episode 136: Dana Laskowski Part 3

The First Degree ·

2021/03/17

The police are zeroing in on the unlikeliest of suspects in Dana’s murder—Dana’s favorite niece and her niece’s best friend. But they still don’t know what actually happened that night. And they don’t know which one of them had the motive and means to kill her. Loose lips...and pages in a journal may lead them to answers. In episode 136, Jac, Alexis and Billy complete the twisted tale of the murder of Dana Laskowski.Please support the show by checking out our sponsors!Hello Fresh: Go to

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00:52:46

Episode 135: Dana Laskowski Part 2

The First Degree ·

2021/03/10

36-year-old Dana Laskowski has been found strangled to death in her home—and there are no shortage of suspects. Her ex-husband, her boyfriend, and her new lover. The police attempt to pull on every string to find the killer. But they have no idea what they are about to find. In episode 135, Jac, Alexis and Billy delve deep into the investigation of who killed Dana, and arrive at a suspect that will shock you.Daily Harvest: Go to DAILYHARVEST.com and enter promo code first to get twenty-five dollars

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00:53:51

Episode 134: Dana Laskowski Part 1

The First Degree ·

2021/03/03

A 36-year-old mother fails to show up to her nanny job. Police perform a welfare check and find her dead on the couch of her home—a home she just moved into one month prior. She had been strangled by what the medical examiner determined to be a very strong individual. But who? In episode 134, Jac, Alexis and Billy tell the tale of the murder of Dana Laskowski.Please support the show by checking out our sponsors!Ritual: Ritual is offering First Degree listeners 10% off during your first 3 months

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00:50:12

Episode 132: Brent Fitch

The First Degree ·

2021/02/17

An 18-year-old is found running down the street, screaming, naked and covered in blood. In the house she ran from the police find a horrific scene. In a case that seems cut and dry a dark turn emerges. In episode 132, Jac, Alexis and Billy delve into the case of Brent Fitch—the who, the where, and most importantly— the why. 🎟 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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00:54:58

Episode 131: Scout Schultz

The First Degree ·

2021/02/11

A student who was thriving on campus, a leader in student groups, with a 3.9 GPA, is shot dead. A police officer is behind the barrel of the gun. On episode 131, Jac, Alexis and Billy tell the tragic tale of Scout Schultz, putting a spotlight on the need for mental health awareness and the need for resources on college campuses—as well as cities across the country. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy Metal

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01:04:04

Episode 130: The Swiss Cheese Pervert

The First Degree ·

2021/02/03

A group of girls are driving home from a John Mayer concert when a man pulls up next to them. The man reaches out his hand, holding up a piece of Swiss cheese. In his hand: a piece of cheese. In his other hand...well, you get the picture. And this wasn’t the first time he did this. In episode 130, Jac, Alexis and Billy tell the sordid, rancid tale of the Swiss Cheese Pervert, with the help of their first degree Kelsey, and a bonus special guest, Paul Holes. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per

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00:54:11

Episode 129: DJ Fickey

The First Degree ·

2021/01/27

DJ and Brandy fell in love. They got married and had three children. All seemed good until a guy named Mike entered the picture. A love triangle, physical altercations and a shotgun—Mike’s shotgun—followed. In episode 128, Jac, Alexis and Billy investigate the infuriating case of DJ Fickey. 🎟 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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00:46:18

Episode 128: The Andrews Family Part 3

The First Degree ·

2021/01/20

In the shocking conclusion to the Andrews family story, a man has been arrested for their murder—a man who had a motive. His girlfriend was sleeping with Mr. Andrews. You will never guess how he tried to explain why his DNA was left at the house and why eyewitnesses spotted him at the scene. On top of that, you’re really not going to believe what happened on the jury. On episode 128, Jac, Alexis and Billy finish the horrific tale of the Andrews Family slaying.Please support the show by checking out

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00:52:54

Episode 127: The Andrews Family Part 2

The First Degree ·

2021/01/13

A husband and wife are found slain in their bedroom—him shot in the head, her beaten to death. Their two year old baby, with blood on his socks, is in the house all alone. The killer having called 911 and placed the phone in his tiny hands. Who could have done this? On episode 126, Jac, Alexis and Billy continue the horrific tale of the Andrews Family slaying in part two of their three part series on the case. Please support the show by checking out our sponsors! Daily Harvest: Go to

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00:45:27

Episode 126: The Andrews Family Part 1

The First Degree ·

2021/01/06

The only sound on the 911 call sounded like an infant. Authorities entered the house and found a toddler. But where were his parents? It would take a search of the house to make a startling discovery. On episode 126, Jac, Alexis and Billy begin the twisted tale of the Andrews Family slaying. 🎟 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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648 results

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