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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

55:30

DEEP DIVE: THE EPSTEIN FILES, PART 2

The First Degree ·

2026/02/12

This week we continue to chip away at the Epstein files, starting off with the top headlines of the week. We dive into bizarre code words throughout the files (shrimp, cheese, sushi, white tuna), learn about Gislaine’s dad owning the company that produces American textbooks, and did you know Epstein won the lottery? Yep, nothing surprises us anymore. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram:

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36:15

Episode 390: Peggy Klinke, Part 2

The First Degree ·

2026/02/11

After more than a year of stalking, threats, and repeated pleas for help, the danger in Peggy Klinke’s life reaches its breaking point. As the criminal case against her stalker inches toward trial, she does everything she can to stay hidden - even moving a thousand miles away to protect herself. But her stalker refuses to stop. He searches relentlessly, exploiting gaps in the system, until he finally finds her. In episode 390, Jac and Alexis examine Peggy Klinke’s preventable murder and her sister

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52:39

DEEP DIVE: THE EPSTEIN FILES

The First Degree ·

2026/02/05

Where do we even begin? Over 3 million files and we are just at the tip pf the iceberg. This week we’re going over the biggest Epstein related headlines: Epstein swerving Elon, Bill Gates drugging Melinda, files getting deleted in real time, Epstein getting banned from XBOX, and is Epstein really still alive? All we know it it’s not a conspiracy anymore.🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram:

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41:06

Episode 389: Peggy Klinke, Part 1

The First Degree ·

2026/02/04

In the late 1990s, a driven and bright woman builds a life in New Mexico, staying deeply connected to her family back in Ohio. But after meeting a man through a study group, her life begins to shift. What starts as control quickly escalates into a years-long campaign of stalking, intimidation, and fear. As the behavior intensifies, she reports threats, files charges, seeks protection, and even moves a thousand miles away to stay safe - only to find that the systems meant to help her consistently

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59:58

DEEP DIVE: BLAKE VS JUSTIN (AND TAYLOR?)

The First Degree ·

2026/01/29

You asked for it, you’ve got it. We are diving DEEP into all of the recently released documents in the Blake vs Justin saga, and we are going line by line analyzing the “Taylor texts”. We’ve had almost a week to hyper analyze the docs and we are coming with receipts!🎟 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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44:47

Episode 388: The Bird Creek Tragedy

The First Degree ·

2026/01/28

On May 30, 2022, the body of a 40-year-old mother of three is found in a creek on the outskirts of Tulsa, Oklahoma. At first, it appears the woman has tragically taken her own life. Questions about the possibility of an accidental death are also raised. The much-loved woman’s estranged husband seems just as bewildered about what happened. But soon, evidence reveals a different cause - and manner - of death than what was initially believed. And that’s just the beginning of the story. In episode 388,

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49:38

DEEP DIVE: BECKHAM FAMILY FEUD

The First Degree ·

2026/01/22

We were graced by the Deep Dive gods this week with Brooklyn Beckham’s very public break up with his parents (including that BIZARRE wedding dance mention? We NEED to see the video!). Plus, Stephen Hawking carnival, Aaron Rodgers and his AI wife, and Jeffrey Epstein’s weird ass masks. And P.S., we recorded this ep right before the Blake / Taylor texts dropped, so we’ll be deep diving all of that next week!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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52:35

Episode 387: Jonathan Gerlach

The First Degree ·

2026/01/21

Today we’re stepping back to examine a case that has swept the nation — and shaken public trust in places meant to be sacred. At the center of it is Jonathan Gerlach, a man prosecutors say was involved in the systematic theft and trafficking of human remains, allegedly targeting hundreds of graves across multiple states. Much of the investigation focuses on Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Pennsylvania — one of the largest historic cemeteries in the country — but the scope of the alleged crimes extends far

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47:57

DEEP DIVE: STOP BULLYING ME!

The First Degree ·

2026/01/15

Man, 2026 is off to a bizarre start. This week a group of people were locked up in jail for posting tweets about Brigitte Macron (yep, you can get arrested for “online bullying”…who knew!). Plus, we share the story of Sascha Riley, an Epstein adjacent survivor who’s story is getting squashed by mainstream media, and dive into Hailey Bieber sending a cease and desist to a TikToker simply sharing their opinion. Moral of the story: rich and powerful people are once again above the law!🎟 Catch up

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58:04

Episode 386: John Hinckley Jr.

The First Degree ·

2026/01/14

On March 30, 1981, the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, is just two months into his presidency when he attends a speaking engagement at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. As the president exits the building and makes his way towards his limousine, six shots ring out. Members of the public and the Secret Service pounce on a 25-year-old man wielding a handgun nearby. In the affray, the president has been struck, along with three others. All recover, but when the motivation for the

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51:23

DEEP DIVE: HOW WILL MOMTOK SURVIVE THIS???

The First Degree ·

2026/01/08

There’s a hell of a lot going on in the world right now, but we are hyper obsessing about Ashley Tisdale being booted from her mom group (it’s not an airport you don’t need to announce your departure!). Plus we give you updates on D4VD, Nick Reiner, David Harbor, Justin v Blake and more. 🎟 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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34:25

Episode 385: Jason Marous

The First Degree ·

2026/01/07

In January 2023, a 36-year-old man is found shot inside his vehicle outside his Fort Lauderdale apartment in the early morning hours. As detectives investigate, the case quickly stalls. With no arrests and no clear motive, the man’s family is left grappling not only with his sudden loss, but with the silence that follows. Living hundreds of miles away, they struggle to advocate from afar, returning to Florida year after year to keep his case from being forgotten. In episode 385, Jac and Alexis

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44:00

DEEP DIVE: NEW YEAR, SAME BULLSHIT

The First Degree ·

2026/01/01

Happy 2026! It’s a new year but we are still obsessing over the same ole shit. We’re deep diving into the latest Epstein files, and why doesn’t anyone talk about Bill Gates?? We chat about Epstein island and all of the lame ass Lolita quotes. Plus, what the HELL is going on with Riley Keough and John Travolta??🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree 🕺 TikTok:

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45:24

Episode 384: The Crimes That Defined 2025

The First Degree ·

2025/12/31

On this New Year’s installment of The First Degree, Jac and Lex take you through the crime stories that defined 2025. From trials that dominated Court TV to investigations that exposed deep institutional failures, this episode revisits the cases that captured national attention and forced difficult conversations about accountability, justice, and trust in the system. As the year comes to a close, we reflect on what has changed, what still hasn’t, and why staying informed remains one of the most

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64:31

DEEP DIVE: BYE BYE 2025

The First Degree ·

2025/12/25

It’s time to reflect on the past year and break down all of the celebrity scandals, cultural moments and conspiracies that shaped this year. We’re diving into UFO sightings, the Blake and Justin saga, the Diddy trial and aftermath, the Epstein files, and everything in between. It’s been a wild year and we can only imagine how batshit next year will be!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram:

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36:02

Episode 383: An Arrest & Murder Trial Abroad

The First Degree ·

2025/12/24

This week, we are stepping outside our usual format to bring you a rare combination in true crime. First, we revisit a case we covered in episode 326. The 1981 disappearance of Lonene “Lonnie” Rogers, a young mother who vanished during a blizzard in rural Pennsylvania. For decades, her family lived with questions and silence. Now, after years of tireless advocacy by Lonnie’s daughter, there has been a major and unexpected development that may finally bring accountability.Then, we turn overseas to

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48:15

DEEP DIVE: RIP ROB REINER

The First Degree ·

2025/12/18

This week we delve into the shocking events surrounding the tragic deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner, exploring the complex family dynamics, and the chilling accusations against their son Nick. Plus, we’ve got Diddy and D4VD updates and spoiler alert: it’s not looking good. 🎟 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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43:23

Episode 382: Arthur J. Williams Jr., Part 2

The First Degree ·

2025/12/17

In 2006, things come crashing down around Arthur ‘Art’ J Williams Jr. One of the country’s top counterfeiters, a skill he first learned in his teens, the law finally catches up with him in the form of US Secret Service Agent Brad Beeler, who’s keen to understand how the man he’s been pursuing for seven years has managed to pull off one of the most daring counterfeit currency operations in the country undetected. As a result, three generations of one family all end up behind bars, including Art’s

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47:55

DEEP DIVE: DIDDY DEEP DIVE

The First Degree ·

2025/12/11

The OG Diddy Deep Dive is back! Like everyone else in the world, we binged 50 Cent’s new Diddy doc and we have THOUGHTS. We are chatting about bombshells in the doc, the aftermath on social media, and the main takeaway: Diddy was a LOSER.🎟 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 Learn more about your

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50:36

Episode 381: Arthur J. Williams Jr., Part 1

The First Degree ·

2025/12/10

In 1999, a young US Secret Service special agent is assigned to the counterfeit squad in Chicago, Illinois. Aside from dignitary protection, one of the agencies’ roles is to investigate counterfeiting. Across the Midwest, someone is spending up big with $100 counterfeit notes. The level of skill, expertise, and execution required to break the most secure and sophisticated note in the history of the US Treasury is equal parts impressive and intimidating. But the con can’t last forever. In episode

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