The First Degree

On October 8th, 2000, 44-year-old Chris Northon is camping in Oregon with his wife, 38-year-old Liysa, and their 3-year-old son. After four years of marriage, Chris and Liysa were no longer happy. Both Chris and Liysa hoped that this weekend getaway could help mend their relationship’s troubles. But when Liysa confronts Chris about his poor behavior and substance abuse, the couple trade harsh words—and blows. That night, Liysa uses her .38-caliber revolver to shoot Chris in the head while he is asleep in his sleeping bag. At trial, Liysa reveals that Chris abused her, physically and emotionally, for years. But when unexpected evidence appears mid-trial, Liysa goes to prison for 12 years with a plea deal. Controversy is sparked years later when prolific true crime author Ann Rule covers the case in her best-selling novel Heart Full of Lies. In episode 219, Jac and Alexis explore the tangled web of lies surrounding Chris Northon’s death. 🎟 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

That’s right, the girls and the ginger are learning all about those spooky-maybe-real-maybe-not-animals like the classic Big Foot. They debate Southwest Airlines, broccoli stalks, and the complexities of apartment neighbored relationships. Also, did you know Big Foot had boobs? Now you do! 🎟 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

On November 29, 1996, two young men in Farmington, New Mexico, are murdered and mutliated inside a downtown business known as The Eclectic. At first it seems like a robbery gone wrong, but investigators soon deduce it’s more serious. However, despite the brutal nature of the crime, law enforcement is unable to pin down a suspect, and the city is on edge. It wouldn’t be until 4 years later, in December 2000, that investigators would apprehend the killers. Tragically, by this stage, one of the men had killed at least two more people, both from the Navajo nation, and was facing two additional trials. In episode 218, Jac and Alexis detail the frightening case of Robert Fry, a disturbed offender who over several years terrorised the northwest of New Mexico. 🎟 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

This week the girls and the gourmand (Matt) are back with a stomach-turning adventure! That's right, we're talking the worst of the worst when it comes to jellybean flavors. Also! Is it okay to have more than one Halloween costume? What about free candy? We're getting into it with this week's On The Stand. PLUS! (and this one really doesn't fit the theme) A pants-wetting worstie. Enjoy! 🎟 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

On August 18, 2020, a 44 year old mother of two goes missing from Crawfordsville, Indiana, after a heated argument with her husband. Two days later, when she hasn’t returned home, her husband reports her disappearance. The same day, a sickening discovery is made just outside town, but the mystery only deepens. If the victim met her killer after leaving her home, law enforcement is in a race against the clock to find the person responsible before they strike again. But when the real killer is identified, and the motive for the murder is revealed, it’s as disturbing as it is incomprehensible. In episode 217, Jac and Alexis detail the grisly case of Hope Parks, and the gruesome lengths some people will go to when they feel they don’t have a choice. 🎟 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

This week the girls and gourmand dive into the most notorious outlaws of the Wild West. They debate going shoeless in public, dogs in bags on trains, and…cars??? Also is Matt too good of a person to be a part of TFD? Pls let us know 🎟 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

On September 1st, 2003, 17-year-old Justine Vanderschoot sat down with her parents to eat dinner. Her boyfriend, 18-year-old Danny Bezemer, joined them. Recently, Justine and Danny had discussed getting married later that year, and Justine’s parents supported them despite their young age. After dinner, Danny went home and Justine went to bed. The next day, Justine was gone. Immediately, the Vanderschoot family organized search parties, passed out fliers, and organized a candlelight vigil to find their beloved daughter. Sixteen days after Justine vanished, Justine’s boyfriend, Daniel, and his roommate, 21-year-old Brandon Fernandez, led police investigators to her body’s location. After tapping Justine’s phone, Daniel had learned she was speaking to another man. In a fit of jealous rage, Daniel and his roommate Brandon strangled Justine, buried her alive, and killed her. In episode 216, Jac and Alexis unravel the tragic murder of Justine Vanderschoot. 🎟 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

This week the girls are joined by none other than May and Bill Vanek. That's right, the entire fam is here and we have quite the special episode for all you firsties. Poisonous Tylenol, botched haircuts, couples in matching outfits, single-use towels, and much, much 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: facebook.com/thefirstdegree  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On June 1, 2011, a 39 year old mother of triplets goes missing from Cape Girardeau, Missouri after visiting her divorce attorney. The woman’s panicked family is extremely concerned for her welfare. Police soon zero in on the missing woman’s husband. Investigators learn that there’s a history of abuse and domestic violence. However, when the victim goes missing, both she and her husband are on the same page about the divorce. In the past he’d threatened her life if she left. But now, he was happy to proceed. How could someone have such a profound shift in their perspective? Can we really trust someone when they change their mind about something so significant? In episode 215, Jac and Alexis detail the tragic case of Jacque Waller, a woman who was on the cusp of a new life when a killer cruelly robbed her of that future. 🎟 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

This week, the girls and the ginger are taking a trip to Salem to learn about the hysteria surrounding the town during the witch trials. Plus! The metaverse is on the stand, along with adult birthday parties and surprise drop=by's. Also! Stick around until the end for one of Lex's best Costanza Stanzas to date! 🎟 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