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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

01:01:35

Episode 86: Sheila Bellush Part 2

The First Degree ·

2020/04/01

Sheila Bellush had been discovered brutally murdered in her home, her four quadruplet babies covered in her blood after being left alone with their mother’s body for more than 6 hours. A supposedly random person drove 1700 miles to kill her. But why? In episode 86 of The First Degree, Jan, Alexis and Billy dig deep into the relationship of Sheila and Allan Thornburg and uncover the twisted lengths an ex-husband can go to to get revenge. Plus, on Killing Time, they talk about, what else? Tiger King:

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00:44:42

Episode 85: Sheila Bellush Part 1

The First Degree ·

2020/03/25

Sheila Bellush is found dead, her throat slashed and shot in the face in the laundry room of her Florida home. The only witnesses to her murder? Her 23 month old quadruplets, covered in their mother’s blood. In the 85th episode of The First Degree, Jac, Alexis and Billy unravel the tale, which takes them from the beaches of Sarasota to the golf courses of San Antonio, uncovering a wicked tale a revenge. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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01:00:31

Episode 84: Alexander Ernandes

The First Degree ·

2020/03/18

In true crime, the story always seems to start like this: they had a perfect life, a loving family, a great home. Then we talk about how everything goes to hell. When parents seemingly do everything right. Work long hours. Raise their children in a supporting and loving household--And they’re still punished. We have to try to make sense of it. There’s a reason we say at the top of every episode: this could be you. No matter how good of a person you are. No matter how hard you work and how much love

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01:04:22

Episode 83: Mackenzie Cowell

The First Degree ·

2020/03/11

Do you think you can always guess who the killer is just from a few details? The husband did it. The boyfriend did it. But sometimes, it’s not so simple. When Mackenzie Cowell was discovered murdered, the small town of Wenatchee, Washington was shook to its core. Fingers were pointed, claims were made, until the man with a Hannibal Lector tattoo emerged from the shadows. On episode 83 of the First Degree, Jac, Alexis and Billy delve into the twisted case of a serial killer-obsessed killer and the

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01:17:51

Episode 82: Tara Grinstead

The First Degree ·

2020/03/03

In 2005 a 30-year-old pageant queen and teacher named Tara Grinstead went missing. The community, her family and law enforcement were baffled- but all of that changed the moment a filmmaker named Payne Lindsey started digging into the details. On episode 81, Jac, Alexis and Billy are joined by Payne Lindsey of the groundbreaking "Up and Vanished" Podcast. Payne shares the details of the investigation, the story of how he became totally immersed -- at times obsessed -- with this fascinating

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00:42:07

Episode 81: Mr. Anime

The First Degree ·

2020/02/26

"Welcome to the house of fun. I'm Trey.” This is how teenager Trey Sessler introduced himself to the world on his Facebook profile. What was so fun about Trey’s house? He lived with his best friend brother and their parents. He was obsessed with anime, and had a popular Youtube channel where he commented on different movies and TV shows. And he liked guns. And one day, the house of fun turned into a house of nightmares. On the 80th episode of The First Degree, Jac, Alexis and Billy tell the

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00:52:35

Episode 80: Megan Metzger

The First Degree ·

2020/02/19

What if you were at a party and someone looked through your purse? What if they found something that to you was completely innocent—but to them was a threat? On Episode 80 of The First Degree, Jac, Alexis and Billy delve into the 2018 case of missing 19-year-old Megan Metzger. A case that deals with a chance Facebook message, a three-day long party, crazed paranoia, a car set on fire and a pact between “friends” that would change many lives in a small town in Virginia. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus

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00:46:29

Episode 79: A Biker and a Murderer

The First Degree ·

2020/02/12

You’re awakened at night by a prowler entering your home. What do you do? In the case of Kinney Glasson, you grab your gun and investigate—to devastating consequences. In episode 79 of The First Degree, Jac, Alexis and Billy begin with a home invasion, which then opens up into a world of exotic dancers, biker clubs and desperation. 🎟 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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00:55:33

Episode 78: The Black Dahlia Part 2

The First Degree ·

2020/02/05

He was an eccentric doctor in charge of fighting VD in Los Angeles. He held lavish parties at his Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home, entertaining famous artists and actors. He went to trial for raping his 14-year-old daughter. And he is the suspect that makes the most sense in the biggest murder mystery in American History. On episode 78, Jac, Alexis and Billy are joined Yvette Gentile and Rasha Pecoraro of the Root of Evil podcast, and together they delve deep into their great grandfather George

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00:47:06

Episode 77: The Black Dahlia Part 1

The First Degree ·

2020/01/29

The body of a woman is found in a vacant lot in suburban Los Angeles. She has been mutilated, cut in two with surgical precision, and her face has been slashed at both ends of her mouth, giving her a ghastly, horrific smile. In episode 77, Jac, Alexis and Billy delve into Elizabeth Short’s life in Hollywood and the lives—and lies— of the early suspects of the case, before landing on the one man who checks all the boxes of the psychological profile of the killer. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes

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00:49:44

Episode 76: The Runaway Murders

The First Degree ·

2020/01/22

A mother and her two children seemingly disappear from their home in rural Missouri. An officer searching for them from the air spots something strange floating in a pond near their house. When he lands and investigates, a horrific nightmare begins to reveal itself. On episode 76, Jac, Alexis and Billy explore a case that begins in the countryside of Missouri, spans the United States with a national manhunt, and ends with two perpetrators confessing to one of the most sickening crimes—and one of the

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01:00:08

Episode 75: Melissa Duran

The First Degree ·

2020/01/15

Aurora Duran was busy getting her children ready for school when she heard a commotion at her front door. When she went to investigate, she saw two men dragging her 17-year-old daughter out of the house and into a waiting car. It was the stuff of nightmares for any parent. On episode 75, Jac, Alexis and Billy delve into one of the most unique cases—and speak with one of the most unique guests— in First Degree history. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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00:54:10

Episode 74: Father Eric Freed

The First Degree ·

2020/01/08

On New Year's Day of 2014, the parishioners of St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church were waiting patiently for morning mass to commence in Eureka, California. Father Eric Freed was slated to lead services, but when he failed to show up that morning, concern began to fill the room. Worry grew to panic when a horrific discovery was made in the church rectory. On episode 74, Jac, Alexis and Billy explore the case, recount the bizarre events that proceeded the crime, and attempt to find a motive in a

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01:03:40

Episode 73: Polly Klaas

The First Degree ·

2020/01/02

On today’s very special New Years Day episode, Jac, Alexis, and Billy revisit one of the nations most infamous child abduction cases. On October 1, 1993, s 12-year-old girl was abducted from her room during a slumber party. Her name was Polly Klaas, and abduction and murder were a catalyst to vast policy reform. 🎟 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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00:40:49

Episode 72: Kenny Ratzlaff

The First Degree ·

2019/12/25

On episode 72 of the first degree, Jac, Alexis and Billy discuss Alexis' most recent first degree connection which acts as a chilling reminder for the fact that a murderer could be hiding in your family whether you realize it or not. 🎟 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:

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00:58:01

Episode 71: Margaret Cho

The First Degree ·

2019/12/18

Comedian Margaret Cho joins Jac, Alexis and Billy to tell the harrowing tale of how she found out a former romantic flame had taken a turn towards darkness. The story begins on a high note: Cho in Hollywood for her big break, a sit-com based on her life. Living the dream and working on the show, an accomplished TV writer caught her eye. The relationship never went far, but years later, Cho happened to google his name. His description had changed a bit. Now it read: American sit-com writer,

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00:54:56

Episode 70: A New Year’s Eve Murder

The First Degree ·

2019/12/11

New Years day, 2003. The small town of Fillmore, California. A horrific discovery is made in a drainage ditch. The community is in shock. But as they file out of the church after the funeral, their shock multiplies when the location of the crime scene is revealed. On episode 70, Jac, Alexis and Billy examine the ripple effect of tragedy within a small town—and the evidence that led police to capture a budding serial killer. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over

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00:51:19

Episode 69: Rose & Daisy Edwards

The First Degree ·

2019/12/04

It was January of 2013 when friends and family lost touch with sisters Rose & Daisy Edwards. The radio silence from the girls would come to destroy a family and baffle the community of Billings, Montana. On episode 69, Jac, Alexis & Billy are joined for the first time by two first degrees on opposite sides of this story; the brother of the victims and someone who grew up with the perpetrator. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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00:53:58

Episode 68: Curtis Gray

The First Degree ·

2019/11/27

They crossed paths by an abandoned house in Dayton, Ohio. 27-year-old Curtis Gray and 51-year-old Daniel Mooty were strangers, but this chance encounter would drastically change the course of one of their lives...and immediately end the other. On episode 68, Jac, Alexis and Billy deconstruct the evidence with Courtney, one of Curtis' best friends and our First Degree guest. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy

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01:23:20

Episode 67: Becky Sutton

The First Degree ·

2019/11/20

Things didn’t add up when a neighbor found Becky Sutton’s two year old strolling the apartment building courtyard unattended. Becky was known to be a responsible parent, and the two of them were known to be joined at the hip. On episode 67 Jac, Alexis and Billy look into her mysterious disappearance which turned a quiet suburb upside down and took several false starts and over a decade to crack. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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