The First Degree
- Episodes
- 736
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 12, 2026
About the podcast
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 736
DEEP DIVE: DADDY ISSUES
Come one, come all to another crazy week of the Deep Dive. We are talking Sophia Franklin’s memoir Daddy Issues, Erika Kirk shilling hot sauce, Alfalfa from The Little Rascals entering his Yesteryear era, Casey …
Show notes
Come one, come all to another crazy week of the Deep Dive. We are talking Sophia Franklin’s memoir Daddy Issues, Erika Kirk shilling hot sauce, Alfalfa from The Little Rascals entering his Yesteryear era, Casey Anthony being insane once again, and in the least surprising news of the week: Russell Brand is going to jail!
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Episode 428: Margaret Haddican-McEnroe
In October 2006, a mother of three disappears from her home in Warren Township, New Jersey, following an argument with her husband. Although her husband reports her missing two days later, her family isn't …
Show notes
In October 2006, a mother of three disappears from her home in Warren Township, New Jersey, following an argument with her husband. Although her husband reports her missing two days later, her family isn't notified until six days after she was last seen. As investigators begin searching for answers, inconsistencies in her husband's story raise questions about what really happened. But despite mounting suspicions, years pass without an arrest, leaving her family desperate for answers. In episode 428, Jac and Alexis examine the disappearance of Margaret Haddican-McEnroe, the troubling circumstances surrounding her case, and her family's 20-year fight to find out what happened to her.
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DEEP DIVE: HUMAN BRAIN COMPUTERS
Things are starting to get creepy over here. This week we’re talking about computers made with ALIVE human brain cells that need to be fed to stay alive, a dude swallowing $800k worth of Tiffany’s diamond …
Show notes
Things are starting to get creepy over here. This week we’re talking about computers made with ALIVE human brain cells that need to be fed to stay alive, a dude swallowing $800k worth of Tiffany’s diamond earrings (and the police having to wait for him to shit them out), the FORBES 30 Under 30 to prison pipeline, and we’re back with more Kelly Clarkson / Brooklyn toy controversy conspiracy theories!
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Episode 427: Darkness In Dawson Creek
By 2024, there are 11 unsolved murders in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. All committed in the previous three years. Families of the murdered and missing are desperate for answers about their loved ones' deaths …
Show notes
By 2024, there are 11 unsolved murders in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. All committed in the previous three years. Families of the murdered and missing are desperate for answers about their loved ones' deaths and whereabouts. The quiet, small town is dealing with the consequences of a natural resource boom, where workers flood into town to make big money, as well as to spend it. Before long, the insidious nature of drug addiction has many locals in its grip. But the other, far more dangerous and frightening consequence is the power wielded by local dealers. The resulting violence sets reporter Timothy Sawa on a quest to explore why residents are afraid to speak out. In episode 427, Jac and Alexis detail the string of mysterious disappearances and unsolved murders in Dawson Creek and Timothy’s journey towards the truth, which he chronicles in his compelling podcast, The Mile Zero Murders.
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DEEP DIVE: CAMP LOOKSMAXING
Another weird week over here on the deep dive! We get a good look into Clavicular’s new Camp Looksmaxing where a bunch of losers pay $5k to have him tell them they’re ugly. Also, Laura Owen’s / Clayton Echard …
Show notes
Another weird week over here on the deep dive! We get a good look into Clavicular’s new Camp Looksmaxing where a bunch of losers pay $5k to have him tell them they’re ugly. Also, Laura Owen’s / Clayton Echard updates, new bombshell evidence that Stockton Rush planned the Ocean Gate implosion, and we finally find out what skinwalkers really look like.
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Episode 426: We Were Never Alone
Some encounters with the unexplained are terrifying. Others offer an unexpected sense of comfort. But all leave us wondering what, if anything, exists beyond death. In this special Halloween episode, Lex and …
Show notes
Some encounters with the unexplained are terrifying. Others offer an unexpected sense of comfort. But all leave us wondering what, if anything, exists beyond death. In this special Halloween episode, Lex and Jac share more extraordinary stories from Firsties, including disturbing encounters, mysterious apparitions, and chilling evidence captured on camera. Are these coincidences, tricks of the mind, or glimpses of something we don't yet understand? Enjoy this year’s final Halloween tribute episode, because we’re back to the traditional format next week.
Join Jac and Lex on Talk Shop Live to dish about Lex’s book, Between the Devil and the Tide. Link to join below. You can also get your signed copy using the same link.
Date/ time- Thursday, October 29th at 3pm PST/ 6pm EST
Join Jac & Lex on TalkShop Live for the Between the Devil and the Tide livestream
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DEEP DIVE: SECRET PIZZA PARTY?
Jac pulls the string of the Kelly Clarkson / $15K mechanical bird drama and (SHOCKER!) it leads to Epstein adjacent children’s books about secret pizza parties??? Plus, the girls chat about Jonestown opening …
Show notes
Jac pulls the string of the Kelly Clarkson / $15K mechanical bird drama and (SHOCKER!) it leads to Epstein adjacent children’s books about secret pizza parties??? Plus, the girls chat about Jonestown opening for tourists, Kate Gosselin’s alleged abuse, and not being able to get away from the Victoria’s Secret fashion show.
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Episode 425: The Things That Haunt Us
This week, Firstober continues with a collection of chilling listener stories, unexplained encounters, and a real-life Halloween nightmare. From eerie apparitions to a mysterious death on Halloween night, Lex …
Show notes
This week, Firstober continues with a collection of chilling listener stories, unexplained encounters, and a real-life Halloween nightmare. From eerie apparitions to a mysterious death on Halloween night, Lex and Jac explore the things that haunt us, both supernatural and all too human.
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DEEP DIVE: WHAT IS SUSAN DELL?
The world is going crazy and we’re just trying to keep up. This week we are talking about a woman sneaking into high school to pretend to be a substitute teacher just to talk shit to students, a possible serial …
Show notes
The world is going crazy and we’re just trying to keep up. This week we are talking about a woman sneaking into high school to pretend to be a substitute teacher just to talk shit to students, a possible serial killer in Michigan, a brand new cute Trump statue, a new cat species, and what the hell is Susan Dell?
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Episode 424: The Dead Speak
In this special Halloween episode, Lex and Jac share chilling paranormal encounters from Firsties who swear they’ve experienced something they can’t explain. Then, they unravel the incredible true story of a …
Show notes
In this special Halloween episode, Lex and Jac share chilling paranormal encounters from Firsties who swear they’ve experienced something they can’t explain. Then, they unravel the incredible true story of a murdered woman who may have found a way to identify her own killer from beyond the grave.
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DEEP DIVE: CALEB FLYNN
You asked for it, you got it. This week we are going down the rabbit hole that is the atrocious man named Caleb Flynn. Alexis’ new obsession has been courtroom tv, and she has been watching the entire trial in …
Show notes
You asked for it, you got it. This week we are going down the rabbit hole that is the atrocious man named Caleb Flynn. Alexis’ new obsession has been courtroom tv, and she has been watching the entire trial in real time. We go through texts with his mistress, the embarrassing AI songs he wrote for her, and how one man can go from hot to Frankenstein in less than a year. Plus, we discuss Erika Kirk’s new bizarre photoshoot, Gypsy Rose’s husband’s untimely death, and another Epstein whistleblower found dead by *suicide*.
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Episode 423: Spooky Stories & Strange Crimes
Today, Jac and Lex are taking us on a spooky adventure into the places where true crime and the paranormal collide. From chilling listener encounters to a historic murder case with a supernatural twist, they’re …
Show notes
Today, Jac and Lex are taking us on a spooky adventure into the places where true crime and the paranormal collide. From chilling listener encounters to a historic murder case with a supernatural twist, they’re leaning all the way into spooky season. Plus, they unpack the bizarre story of a true-crime author whose unexpected encounter with police quickly spiraled into a case of its own.
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DEEP DIVE: DR. TOMASZ KOSOWSKI
This week we are diving into one of the most bizarre cases of the year, Dr. Tomasz Kosowski. You may have seen clips circulating online of his insane courtroom behavior, or maybe of him trying to suck DNA off …
Show notes
This week we are diving into one of the most bizarre cases of the year, Dr. Tomasz Kosowski. You may have seen clips circulating online of his insane courtroom behavior, or maybe of him trying to suck DNA off his fingers in the back of a cop car. No matter what you’ve seen so far, it only gets weirder the more you go down the rabbit hole. Buckle up, it’s a wild ride.
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Episode 422: Rachel Hansen
In June 2022, a 19-year-old woman calls 911 after someone enters her apartment and shoots her in the middle of the night. She survives long enough to tell the dispatcher she doesn’t know who shot her or why …
Show notes
In June 2022, a 19-year-old woman calls 911 after someone enters her apartment and shoots her in the middle of the night. She survives long enough to tell the dispatcher she doesn’t know who shot her or why, but dies from her injuries shortly afterward. As investigators search for answers, they uncover a series of strange circumstances surrounding the apartment, including an unsettling incident just two days before the murder and questions about whether the killer may have been looking for someone else. In episode 422, Jac and Alexis examine the murder of Rachel Hansen, the theories investigators continue to explore, and how her family is keeping Rachel’s memory and legacy alive while fighting for answers.
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DEEP DIVE: ANIMALS ARE FREAKS
If you thought humans were weird as hell, buckle up because animals are FREAKS. We’re bringing you all of the creepy, strange, murderous facts about the animal kingdom. Prepare to learn things you didn’t want …
Show notes
If you thought humans were weird as hell, buckle up because animals are FREAKS. We’re bringing you all of the creepy, strange, murderous facts about the animal kingdom. Prepare to learn things you didn’t want to about dolphins, spiders, birds, pandas, anglerfish, and so much more!
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Episode 421: Daniel Hiers Jr.
On March 15, 2005, police respond to a 911 call from a home in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Inside the residence, the body of a 24-year-old woman is found in bed, dead from a gunshot wound to the head. The …
Show notes
On March 15, 2005, police respond to a 911 call from a home in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Inside the residence, the body of a 24-year-old woman is found in bed, dead from a gunshot wound to the head. The number one suspect is already accused of crimes against a child. But when he fails to attend the sheriff’s office to turn himself in for the offenses against a minor and can’t be located, it’s a five-alarm fire. It’s like he’s vanished into thin air. Authorities place the man on the US Marshals 15 Most Wanted list as the victim's devastated family continues to wait years for news. But the perpetrator can’t run forever. In episode 421, Jac and Alexis detail the senseless death of Ludimila Cohe de Araujo Hiers, and the dramatic capture of her killer years later, exploring just how far some people will go to escape the consequences that inevitably await them.
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DEEP DIVE: THE AI TAKEOVER? REAL OR PSYOP?
Things are feeling a bit spooky this week and we are barely halfway through September. We are discussing all of the weird shit going on in the AI world (like if it gonna kill off humanity in 10 years or …
Show notes
Things are feeling a bit spooky this week and we are barely halfway through September. We are discussing all of the weird shit going on in the AI world (like if it gonna kill off humanity in 10 years or what?????). Plus, some updates in the Lindsay Clancy trial, Mormon Wived drama, and who the hell does Armie Hammer think he is??
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Episode 420: Elisa Roberson
In August 1989, a 13-year-old girl leaves her home in Aransas Pass, Texas, for a short walk to meet a friend at a nearby elementary school. But she never makes it there, and investigators soon theorize she was …
Show notes
In August 1989, a 13-year-old girl leaves her home in Aransas Pass, Texas, for a short walk to meet a friend at a nearby elementary school. But she never makes it there, and investigators soon theorize she was abducted somewhere along that short route. In episode 420, Jac and Alexis examine the disappearance of Elisa Roberson, the investigation that followed, and her family’s decades-long fight to find out what happened to her.
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DEEP DIVE: CYBORG COCKROACHES
We’re bouncing all over the place this week, so put on your seatbelts and get ready for the ride. A new lawsuit alleges that Frederic Fekkai was an integral part to Epstein’s trafficking ring, the new teaser …
Show notes
We’re bouncing all over the place this week, so put on your seatbelts and get ready for the ride. A new lawsuit alleges that Frederic Fekkai was an integral part to Epstein’s trafficking ring, the new teaser for Nathan Fielder’s Elizabeth Holmes doc is out and it is INSANE, and the announcer on Wheel of Fortune got caught in illegal chatrooms on an airplane. Plus, cyborg cockraoches!
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Episode 419: Dana Woods
In August 2012, two young women spend a summer night together in Berkeley County, South Carolina, before accepting a ride from someone they know. Hours later, Dana Woods and June Guerry are found murdered in …
Show notes
In August 2012, two young women spend a summer night together in Berkeley County, South Carolina, before accepting a ride from someone they know. Hours later, Dana Woods and June Guerry are found murdered in the remote Francis Marion National Forest. As investigators work to identify those responsible, a seemingly ordinary night begins to unravel, revealing just how close a small community can be to something horrifying. In episode 419, Jac and Alexis examine the murders of Dana Woods and June Guerry, the men ultimately held responsible, and the lasting impact of realizing just how close you can be to a tragedy without ever knowing it.
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DEEP DIVE: THE BUTT SNIFFER STRIKES AGAIN
It’s another variety show type of week over here at the Deep Dive and we’ve got something for everyone. D4VD’s lawyers dump him, Laura Owens pleads guilty, a budding serial killer is out on the streets doing …
Show notes
It’s another variety show type of week over here at the Deep Dive and we’ve got something for everyone. D4VD’s lawyers dump him, Laura Owens pleads guilty, a budding serial killer is out on the streets doing god knows what, and the Los Angeles butt sniffer strikes again. We warned you.
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Episode 418: Bigger Than the Trial
The Lindsay Clancy case has brought renewed attention to postpartum psychosis, a rare but potentially devastating condition that, when left untreated, has been associated with an estimated 5% risk of suicide …
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The Lindsay Clancy case has brought renewed attention to postpartum psychosis, a rare but potentially devastating condition that, when left untreated, has been associated with an estimated 5% risk of suicide and 4% risk of filicide. This week, Alexis and Jac are joined by Dr. Erin Davidowicz, a perinatal psychiatrist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, to discuss the case, the lack of public awareness surrounding postpartum psychosis, and why recognizing the warning signs can be so critical.
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DEEP DIVE: WHAT IS WRONG WITH EVERYONE?
No, for real, what is wrong with everyone lately? This week we’re discussing a woman who was giving sex eyes to the camera during the Lindsay Clancy trial, Hilary Duff feeding her children pizza on stage at her …
Show notes
No, for real, what is wrong with everyone lately? This week we’re discussing a woman who was giving sex eyes to the camera during the Lindsay Clancy trial, Hilary Duff feeding her children pizza on stage at her concert, Alcohol being advertised to kids, and a very messed up golf ad. Keep those tin foil hats on, people.
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Episode 417: Stozek/McBrien
Growing up in suburban Chicago, a young girl is raised to trust the adults around her. Her church, her school, and her family all feel like safe places. But years later, she learns that two people she once …
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Growing up in suburban Chicago, a young girl is raised to trust the adults around her. Her church, her school, and her family all feel like safe places. But years later, she learns that two people she once looked up to and loved are accused of horrific crimes against children, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew about trust, faith, and the people closest to her. In episode 417, Jac and Alexis explore Courtney's journey after discovering the truth about her uncle Joseph Stozek and former priest Kevin McBrien, and what it means to reckon with the fact that someone you trusted was capable of unimaginable harm.
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DEEP DIVE: UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS
Today we are discussing the tragedy of Hayden Panettiere’s sudden passing and everyone who failed her throughout her life, Anthropic and Amazon destroying rare and ancient texts to basically rewrite history …
Show notes
Today we are discussing the tragedy of Hayden Panettiere’s sudden passing and everyone who failed her throughout her life, Anthropic and Amazon destroying rare and ancient texts to basically rewrite history however they want (1984 anyone?), and Howie Mandel being a perv in front of his daughter. For real, what is wrong with EVERYONE?!
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Episode 416: Trish Haynes
In May 2018, a 25-year-old woman suddenly disappears while living with a childhood friend in Grafton, New Hampshire. Her family immediately knows something is wrong, but for months, they are left searching for …
Show notes
In May 2018, a 25-year-old woman suddenly disappears while living with a childhood friend in Grafton, New Hampshire. Her family immediately knows something is wrong, but for months, they are left searching for answers. Then investigators make a devastating discovery: a small piece of her dismembered body is recovered from a nearby pond. As her loved ones begin uncovering disturbing allegations about what she endured before her death, they push for those responsible to be held accountable. But years later, no one has ever been charged with her murder. In episode 416, Jac and Alexis examine the murder of Trish Haynes, the troubling allegations surrounding her final months, and her family’s ongoing fight for answers and justice.
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DEEP DIVE: TO CATCH A PREDATOR?
There’s a lot going on this week, so put those tin foil hats on. First, we’re discussing the new bizarre documentary Predators, and the impact Chris Hansen has had on the true crime world. Also, Chris Watts …
Show notes
There’s a lot going on this week, so put those tin foil hats on. First, we’re discussing the new bizarre documentary Predators, and the impact Chris Hansen has had on the true crime world. Also, Chris Watts somehow is getting married, and Drake is buying a goth girl a house. Lastly, we know you don’t know who Desiree Townsend is now, but you will after you listen to today’s ep.
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Episode 415: Three People Knew
In August 2017, a newlywed is found shot to death inside a hotel room in Athens, Georgia, while on a road trip with her husband. As investigators begin piecing together her final hours, they uncover text …
Show notes
In August 2017, a newlywed is found shot to death inside a hotel room in Athens, Georgia, while on a road trip with her husband. As investigators begin piecing together her final hours, they uncover text messages, surveillance footage, and other evidence that paint a disturbing picture of what happened. Yet despite a conviction, her story receives very little public attention, leaving many to remember the crime but not the woman at the center of it. In episode 415, Jac and Alexis examine the murder of Casey Woods Devanna, the evidence that led to her killer's conviction, and the life her friends want the world to remember.
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Introducing: CRIMES OF REDDIT, Alexis’ new show with Sabrina Deana-Roga
Reddit is an endless archive of humanity’s most disturbing, bizarre, and deeply human stories. If you love The First Degree, you are going to love CRIMES OF REDDIT with Alexis and Sabrina Deana-Roga from Two …
Show notes
Reddit is an endless archive of humanity’s most disturbing, bizarre, and deeply human stories. If you love The First Degree, you are going to love CRIMES OF REDDIT with Alexis and Sabrina Deana-Roga from Two Girls One Ghosts.
Every Tuesday, one host brings a set of true-crime stories while the other reacts in real time with no prep, no spoilers asking the questions on everyone’s mind. They swap roles each week, pulling at every thread until the whole twisted picture comes into view. It’s dark, it’s messy, and the scariest part is simple: THESE ARE STORIES POSTED BY REAL PEOPLE.
Follow CRIMES OF REDDIT for a new episode every Tuesday.
CRIMES OF REDDIT is a Crime House original powered by PAVE Studios.
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DEEP DIVE: AUTHOR SESSIONS - CHAOS
Today's episode is the Deep Dive x The First Degree Book Club crossover you didn't know you needed. We're sitting down with bestselling author Tom O'Neill to talk about CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the …
Show notes
Today's episode is the Deep Dive x The First Degree Book Club crossover you didn't know you needed.
We're sitting down with bestselling author Tom O'Neill to talk about CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties.
What began as a routine magazine assignment became a twenty-year investigation that challenged the official narrative of the Manson murders and uncovered a web of unanswered questions surrounding law enforcement, MKUltra, and the turbulent world of the late 1960s.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Tom takes us behind the reporting, reflects on what he's learned since publishing the book, and revisits the evidence, theories, and unanswered questions that continue to fuel debate.
Whether you've read CHAOS cover to cover or you're just conspiracy-curious, buckle up... and, as always... hats on.
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