

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

Jan 6, 2022 • 53min
BONUS: KILLING TIME- THAT'S SO 90s
This week the girls and the goth time travel back to the 90s to discuss the biggest scandals of the decade. They’re talking Nancy Kerrigan / Tonya Harding, Pee Wee Herman’s arrest, Pam & Tommy Lee’s sex tape, and the travesty that was Woodstock 99, and their favorite 90s toys! Plus, are vans sexy?
🎟 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

Jan 5, 2022 • 42min
Episode 177: The Gainesville Ripper Part 1
It’s August 1990, and the fall semester is about to start. College students start trickling into the city, and while they’re moving into their new places, they have no idea that a monster has also moved to town: a serial killer who preys on young, unsuspecting female students. At the end of his four day spree, the killer will steal five innocent lives, and leave a small town drowning in fear. In episode 177, Jac, Alexis, and Billy delve into the Gainesville Ripper, a sadistic serial killer who later inspired the movie Scream.
🎟 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

Dec 30, 2021 • 54min
BONUS: KILLING TIME- NEW YEAR NEW US
This week the girls and the goth reminisce on all of the bullshit that 2021 brought them. They debate New Years resolutions, going out on NYE, and the disgusting idea of paying to go to a nightclub. Plus, Billy reads bad reviews (even though we told him not to).
🎟 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

Dec 29, 2021 • 51min
Episode 176: See Ya 2021
The very last episode of The First Degree of 2021 is dedicated to the biggest true crime headlines of the year. The trio discusses everything from the bodies discovered during the Gabby Petito case to the recent arrest in the Shopping Cart Killer and more. Plus we play voicemails from our Firsties about their takeaways from the year and hopes for 2022.
🎟 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

Dec 23, 2021 • 50min
BONUS: KILLING TIME- A FESTIVUS MIRACLE
This week the girls and the goth celebrate the very sacred holiday of Festivus! They debate unsolicited gift lists, giving cash as a present, and THE most controversial Christmas song. Plus, the infamous Harry Potter pants shitting story and the inception of BleakFest!
🎟 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

Dec 22, 2021 • 39min
Episode 175: Happy Holidaze
Are you the kind of weirdo who is always trying to slip true crime facts into normal conversation? Well you’re in luck, because this week is an unconventional episode of TFD where the gang will supply you with little known tidbits you can talk about over holiday dinner with the fam! Plus they chat about their McDonalds orders, weird modern day cults, and Alexis’ porch pirate.
🎟 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

Dec 16, 2021 • 43min
KILLING TIME: SECRET SANTA
This week the girls and the goth get festive! They discuss different murders committed by Santa himself and debate secret Santa, wool sweaters, and of course… fruit cake.
🎟 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

Dec 15, 2021 • 1h 5min
Episode 174: Susan Heyliger
It’s closing time at the bar, so a 42 year old bartender checks the bathrooms to make sure they're empty, shoos the lingering patrons out the front door, then locks the deadbolt. Thinking she’s alone and safe in the bar, the bartender starts her list of closing duties. Then, out of nowhere, a man drops out of the ceiling - he is shocked to see the bartender - he thought the bar was empty. A struggle ensues and the bartender fights hard for her life, but the man eventually overcomes her. The man then robs the cash register and flees. He is not brought to justice for 21 years. In episode 174, Jac, Alexis, and Billy follow the long path it took to bring the killer of Susan Heyliger to justice.
🎟 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

Dec 9, 2021 • 51min
KILLING TIME: THE STAIRCASE
This week the girls and the goth talk about Michael Peterson and dive into all of the bizarre theories surrounding Kathleen Peterson’s death. They debate wearing shoes in the house, hot cocktails, and when is the appropriate time to refill the ice tray?
🎟 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

Dec 8, 2021 • 1h
Episode 173: Irene Katuran
A woman breaks up with her boyfriend. A month later, she files for a restraining order after her ex strangles her. Not long after, she is found brutally murdered in her bathroom - she’d been stabbed more than 34 times and sustained multiple blunt force injuries. A manhunt for her ex-boyfriend ensues, and he is arrested weeks later - 1,200 miles from home. He claims insanity at trial, but the jury doesn’t believe him. He’s sentenced to death. In episode 173, Jac, Alexis, and Billy explore the murder of Irene Katuran at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, David Gulbrandson.
🎟 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


