

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 perspective to the already fascinating true crime landscape. And who knows... you may be our next guest. (Plus, join them every Thursday for Killing Time, the light-hearted, true crime-adjacent aftershow!)
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 21, 2024 • 49min
BONUS: KILLING TIME: LAP IT UP
This week the girls and the ginger return for a Killing Time of epic proportions! Today I Learned returns for another fact-filled feature including info about the platypus, Robert Pattinson, and more! Then it’s time for chat in a hat! Strap in!
🎟 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 ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 20, 2024 • 53min
Episode 291: James "Jimmy" Michael
On the morning of November 29, 2005, a fire breaks out at a Morgantown, West Virginia home, engulfing the quiet neighborhood in chaos. Amidst the smoke and flames, responders discover the badly burned body of a 33-year-old man, lying in his bed. As investigators sift through the evidence, they quickly realize this is no ordinary house fire - it's arson, and the man had been dead before the blaze began. As the investigation continues, the evidence keeps leading investigators back to one person in particular. Someone very close to the victim who had multiple motives to want him gone. In episode 291, Jac and Alexis unravel the harrowing tale of James “Jimmy” Michael's murder, and his family’s journey to justice, and for some, forgiveness.
🎟 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 ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 14, 2024 • 1h 19min
BONUS: KILLING TIME: TAMRON HALL
This week on Killing Time the girls are joined by true crime royalty, the one and only Tamron Hall. Throughout her career, Tamron has dominated all corners of the media as crime reporter, talk show host and novelist. On today’s episode we share our full interview with Tamron, delving into topics like love, loss, success, and the real life cases that have inspired her writing.
🎟 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 ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 13, 2024 • 53min
Episode 290: Tamron Hall: Watch Where They Hide
On a very special episode of The First Degree, Alexis & Jac talk to award winning crime journalist, talk show host and author, Tamron Hall. Tamron opens up about the true crime cases that have stuck with her throughout her career, and coping with the personal tragedy of losing of her sister. Renate Newton, Tamron’s sister, was murdered on July 11th of 2004, and to this day her killer has not been apprehended. Tamron candidly sheds light on her new novel, Watch Where They Hide, delving into the real life parallels that inspired her work.
🎟 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 ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 7, 2024 • 43min
BONUS: KILLING TIME: HOLLY MADISON RETURNS
This week the girls are joined by our good friend and bombshell Holly Madison for a very special Killing Time! We’re talking hauntings, aliens, conspiracies and more! Plus! Corn cob! Stick around til the end to find out what it means!
🎟 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 ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 6, 2024 • 1h 1min
Episode 289: Jill Ann Spaulding
In this episode, Holly Madison shares a peek behind the curtain of the forbidden world of Playboy. During her time at the mansion she encountered several Playboy hopefuls, looking for a way into Hef’s impenetrable inner circle... women just like Jill Ann Spaulding. As Host and EP of Season 2 of Investigation Discovery’s “The Playboy Murders,” Holly takes us through a story that began in tinsel town and ended in tragedy.
🎟 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 ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 29, 2024 • 43min
BONUS: KILLING TIME: LEAP DAY
Hello Firsties! The girls and the ginger are back under quite rare circumstances! Today is leap day! Join us as we explore some interesting happenings in history from this bizarre bonus day. Then! A couple new segments today: Today I learned, and Chat in the Hat!
🎟 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 ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 28, 2024 • 58min
Episode 288: Denise Huskins & Aaron Quinn, Part 2
We conclude with part two of our coverage of the Denise & Aaron’s unbelievable story. Delving into the catastrophic failure of law enforcement in this case, the dogged female detective that broke the case wide open, the troubling past of the perpetrator, and the questions that still linger.
🎟 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 ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 22, 2024 • 48min
BONUS: KILLING TIME: READ IT ON REDDIT
This week the girls and the ginger return and dive deep down the rabbit hole of Reddit! Also, we’re banging the gavel yet again. Straight to jail this week: Senior living housing prices, Elon Musk, and bowls! And stick around until the end for a cringe confession from a thrifty thief!
🎟 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 ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 21, 2024 • 59min
Episode 287: Denise Huskins & Aaron Quinn, Part 1
In part one, Lex and Jac sit down with Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn, the couple at the center of the earth shattering story that’s captivated the nation. Whether you know them from their book, Victim F. or the explosive Netflix Documentary “American Nightmare,” what you think you know about their story and the bizarre elements of this case is just the tip of the iceberg.
🎟 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 ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


