

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

Sep 18, 2024 • 36min
Episode 317: Kenny Pohlman & Kelly Coppola
On August 28th 2024, 53-year-old Kenneth Pohlman Jr and 50-year-old Kelly Cappola were shot to death inside the home they shared in the quiet Suffolk County neighborhood of St. James. For this special episode Alexis and Jac speak with Kenneth’s brother Tommy, who shares memories of ‘Kenny’ about this unspeakable loss, and pain this senseless tragedy has caused to so many.The fundraisers for the children in both families can be found here: Kenny's Kids' go fund me , Kelly's Daughter's GoFundMe.
🎟 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

Sep 12, 2024 • 44min
BONUS: KILLING TIME: PUNGENT MIST
Oh man, we’re back for another week of Killing Time! This week the girls and the ginger are getting a little stinky before they get sweet. Then! We’re learning about marshmallows, capybaras, beanie balls, Dutch phrases, dog breeds and so much more! Down we go!
🎟 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

Sep 11, 2024 • 51min
Episode 316: Natalee Holloway & Stephanie Flores, Part 2
For five years after Natalee Holloway’s disappearance in 2005, Joran van der Sloot narrowly avoided authorities after being their number one suspect. During that time, he travelled, gambled, partied, and made the Holloway family’s life a living hell. In part two of our two part story, we follow van der Sloot’s moves all the way to Lima, Peru where one more innocent life was taken by the hands of this monster.
🎟 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

Sep 5, 2024 • 47min
BONUS: KILLING TIME: TWINNING
Hello there! Welcome back! It’s Killing Time yet again! This week, the girls and the ginger are back and we’re wearing our rambling pants. Lots of talking up front from our resident rambler Jacquelene, and then on to learning some factoids! Today we learn about: Smarties candy, milk expiration dates, a tale of two twins, and THEN a Firstie calls in with a little Willie/Woody mixup. Classic! Let’s go!
🎟 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

Sep 4, 2024 • 51min
Episode 315: Natalee Holloway & Stephanie Flores, Part 1
If you mention the word Aruba to any true crime consumer, they will undoubtedly and immediately think of Natalee Holloway. Natalee was last seen leaving the Aruban bar and night club Carlos'n Charlie's around 1:30 a.m. on Monday, May 30, 2005 with 17-year-old Joran van der Sloot, a Dutch student living in Aruba. In part 1 of this two-part story, we're covering Natalee's last moments and the subsequent investigation that led to no justice for her family.Subscribe to our Patreon to access both parts now!
🎟 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

Aug 29, 2024 • 42min
BONUS: KILLING TIME: BODIES ARE DISGUSTING
Good day! And welcome back for this week’s Killing Time! Today, Jacquelene is taking us to history class with some interesting August 29th happenings. We’re talking failed Boeing space ships, billionaire boat conspiracies, Eminem’s youthful looks, and more! Then! We learn! Today we’re learning about Costco loopholes, unlikely cousins, kneecaps, and a FLURRY of facts from Alexis! Here we go!
🎟 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

Aug 28, 2024 • 40min
Episode 314: Angela Neal Dixiano
On April 18, 2010, a 44-year-old woman goes missing in Anchorage, Alaska. As far as her husband is concerned, there are multiple versions of where she is. Some, including the woman’s own mother, are told that she’s died of cancer. Others are told she’s relocated out of state. Finally, a concerned friend contacts law enforcement as things continue to fail to add up. When charges are laid for the woman’s murder, the true extent of the killer’s motive and how far they would go to silence someone with knowledge about other shocking crimes being committed is revealed, much to the disgust of those close to them, as well as the community. In episode 314, Jac and Alexis detail the devastating murder of Angela Dixiano, and the brutal lengths to which some people will go to conceal a calculated pattern of offending that exploits and manipulates society’s most vulnerable.
🎟 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

Aug 22, 2024 • 51min
BONUS: KILLING TIME: RAT PORTAL
Hello and welcome back for another thrilling Thursday episode of Killing Time! Today, the girls and the ginger are going waaaay back to bring you some strange happenings of August 22nd’s from long ago. Then! We’re getting into the good stuff! Today, we’re learning about doomsday fish, rat portals, the Loch Ness monster, and Hello Kitty’s true identity! Join us!
🎟 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

Aug 21, 2024 • 56min
Episode 313: Mary Payne Moran
On April 19, 1995, a 15 -year-old student is in class at her school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Suddenly, the classroom shakes as the impact of a bomb is detonated outside the Alfred P Murrah Building. This is the second time in the young teen has been close to danger in her life, surviving an armed hold up four years earlier. As the young woman pursues her dreams of becoming a sought after chef, she continues to encounter mutiple life threatening events, including more gun violence, a bombing in Europe, and a narrow escape from an airplane crash, even after moving across the country to California,. In episode 313, Jac and Alexis speak with renowned celebrity chef, nutritionist, blogger, mom, and author, Mary Payne Moran about her brushes with multiple life-altering incidents, and discuss not only Mary’s repeated exposure to traumatic events, but the way both this and her continued journey to healing has shaped her into the person and success she’s become.You can purchase a copy of Mary’s book here: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/the-vita-gang-mysteries
🎟 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

Aug 15, 2024 • 52min
BONUS: KILLING TIME: QUEEN MARY
Hello! Welcome back to Killing Time! This week the girls and the ginger return with more potentially useful facts and tangents. After Jac gives us our history lesson, we’re learnin' again! Olympic sports, toothbrushing, the haunting of the Queen Mary, and a bonus Firstie fact! Join us!!!
🎟 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


