

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 23, 2021 • 52min
KILLING TIME: PAUL IS DEAD
This week, the girls and the goth go back in time to 1969 when the “Paul Is Dead” hoax took over Beatlemania! They dive into all of the theories, secret messages, and easter eggs found in their albums and music. They also debate Cheesecake Factory, the top sheet, and...what the hell even is aioli?
🎟 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 22, 2021 • 50min
Episode 162: Randall Mercier
Meaghan Rice was the most popular girl in school—and many thought she was the prettiest. Meaghan also had two boyfriends—David and Randall. When David said he was moving away, she concocted a bizarre plot to win his affection and make him stay. It involved a truck, a secret code word, a knife and an unthinkable act of brutality. In episode 162, Jac, Alexis and Billy tell the tale of a true high school nightmare.
🎟 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 16, 2021 • 1h 1min
KILLING TIME: MUSICAL TORTURE
This week, the girls and the goth talk all things musical torture. From the bizarre songs used to torture in the CIA, to what songs would drive us insane. We debate the Happy Birthday song, the French Horn, and Imagine Dragons. Also, what song would you want as your “final song”?
🎟 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 15, 2021 • 51min
Episode 161: Simeonette Mapes
Two teachers fall in love after discovering their passion for education in one another. After coming home from running errands, the husband finds his wife dead at the bottom of their stairs with several stab wounds. He frantically calls 911, but there is no weapon and no suspect found at the scene. Was it a robbery gone wrong, or something much more sinister? In episode 161, Jac, Alexis and Billy, explore the lies and uncover the deception that led to the loss of an incredible woman's life.
🎟 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 9, 2021 • 45min
KILLING TIME: TREMBLING LOINS
This week, the girls and the goth talk all about the dark history of Elvis, and it’s not what you think. They debate whether warm ketchup and hot guacamole are acceptable or not, and reminisce about finding out that Santa wasn’t real.
🎟 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 8, 2021 • 43min
160: Noreen Schmid Boyle Part 3
After his mother’s body was found entombed in the basement of his father’s new house, Collier Boyle has no time to grieve—he now has to testify against his father in court. In episode 160, Jac, Alexis and Billy lay out the details of how Jack Collier planned the murder of his weeks, the brutal aftermath for a little boy who lost both his parents, and how he was able to carve out a life afterwards.
🎟 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 2, 2021 • 50min
KILLING TIME: SAY MY NAME
This week the girls and the goth discuss the great London fire and weird serial killer names. They debate cold pizza, hangover cures, and creepy white vans. Plus, they need your help coming up with their serial killer monikers. Help them on Instagram!
🎟 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 1, 2021 • 44min
159: Noreen Schmid Boyle Part 2
When Collier Boyle wakes up, his father tells him his mother has “gone on a little vacation.” But the 11~year old boy knew better. He knew his father was lying, and he was determined to find the truth. In episode 159, Jac, Alexis and Billy tell a tale of double lives, betrayal and a little boy working secretly with the police to bring his own father 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

Aug 26, 2021 • 54min
KILLING TIME: BO$$ BABE
This week, the girls and the goth dig into the dark, predatory history of MLMs. They debate whether they love or hate water parks, read receipts, and clapping when the plane lands. Oh, and lots of trash talking Keith Ranierie!
Please support the show by checking out our sponsors!
Upstart: Find out how Upstart can lower your monthly payments today when you go to UPSTART.com/FIRSTDEGREE
Slumber Cloud: Save 10% on your purchase when you go to www.slumbercloud.com and use our exclusive code: FIRSTDEGREE10
🎟 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 25, 2021 • 35min
Episode 159: Noreen Schmid Boyle Part 1
A mother tells her 11-year-old son: “if I ever go missing, I would never leave you. But you need to know your father is dangerous.” After the boy hears a scream in the middle of the night, he wakes up to find his mother gone. In episode 159–one of the most intense First Degree stories they’ve ever encountered—Jac, Alexis and Billy tell the tale of The Boyle Family.
🎟 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


