456 episodes

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!)

The First Degree Alexis Linkletter, Jac Vanek, Billy Jensen

    • True Crime
    • 4.6 • 9.5K Ratings

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!)

    BONUS: KILLING TIME: THE BIG BONK

    BONUS: KILLING TIME: THE BIG BONK

    This week the girls and the ginger return with another half-fact-filled episode of Killing Time! Join us for a special revival of “On the Stand” featuring animal bonding, street meat, and migraines! Then, we’re jumping into some current events since we procrastinated and recorded this episode yesterday! Yeehaw!

    • 50 min
    Episode 292: William Rufus Stephens Jr.

    Episode 292: William Rufus Stephens Jr.

    In the early hours of January 3, 2009, a 29-year-old man is found shot in his truck outside a bar in College Station, Texas. He’s still alive at this point, so first responders rush him to the hospital, where he sadly passes away. Detectives get to work and quickly identify a suspect - a 36-year-old car salesman with a history of violence. However, detectives struggle to figure out a motive behind the shooting. In fact, the victim and the murderer never even exchanged words. In episode 292, Jac and Alexis delve into the tragic murder of William Rufus Stephens Jr., and his killer’s history of “psycho” behavior.

    • 41 min
    BONUS: KILLING TIME: LAP IT UP

    BONUS: KILLING TIME: LAP IT UP

    This week the girls and the ginger return for a Killing Time of epic proportions! Today I Learned returns for another fact-filled feature including info about the platypus, Robert Pattinson, and more! Then it’s time for chat in a hat! Strap in!

    • 45 min
    Episode 291: James "Jimmy" Michael

    Episode 291: James "Jimmy" Michael

    On the morning of November 29, 2005, a fire breaks out at a Morgantown, West Virginia home, engulfing the quiet neighborhood in chaos. Amidst the smoke and flames, responders discover the badly burned body of a 33-year-old man, lying in his bed. As investigators sift through the evidence, they quickly realize this is no ordinary house fire - it's arson, and the man had been dead before the blaze began. As the investigation continues, the evidence keeps leading investigators back to one person in particular. Someone very close to the victim who had multiple motives to want him gone. In episode 291, Jac and Alexis unravel the harrowing tale of James “Jimmy” Michael's murder, and his family’s journey to justice, and for some, forgiveness.

    • 49 min
    BONUS: KILLING TIME: TAMRON HALL

    BONUS: KILLING TIME: TAMRON HALL

    This week on Killing Time the girls are joined by true crime royalty, the one and only Tamron Hall. Throughout her career, Tamron has dominated all corners of the media as crime reporter, talk show host and novelist. On today’s episode we share our full interview with Tamron, delving into topics like love, loss, success, and the real life cases that have inspired her writing.

    • 1 hr 16 min
    Episode 290: Tamron Hall: Watch Where They Hide

    Episode 290: Tamron Hall: Watch Where They Hide

    On a very special episode of The First Degree, Alexis & Jac talk to award winning crime journalist, talk show host and author, Tamron Hall. Tamron opens up about the true crime cases that have stuck with her throughout her career, and coping with the personal tragedy of losing of her sister. Renate Newton, Tamron’s sister, was murdered on July 11th of 2004, and to this day her killer has not been apprehended. Tamron candidly sheds light on her new novel, Watch Where They Hide, delving into the real life parallels that inspired her work.

    • 50 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
9.5K Ratings

9.5K Ratings

Marissathompson ,

A favorite

I love listening to your podcast! Not just for the true crime but also for the conversation that I get to listen to. You were saying today that your cohost bit his tongue and it was bleeding. Well, I have a story about biting your tongue. When my brother was about two years old, we were on the swingset and he fell off and bit his tongue in half. it was bleeding so bad and hanging on by hardly anything and they had to rush him to the hospital where they surgically glued it together. And it healed really fast. I guess the tongue heals quicker than most things so by the time the glue had worn off, his tongue was back together, but he still has a scar all the way across his tongue to this day.

EsteeKieras ,

Great stories-lose the tired taglines

Great and consistent stories. Both of the hosts are good storytellers and work well together. My biggest beef are the taglines, especially “a podcast you could end up on”. It feels gross to imply your listeners could be the victims of horrible crimes.

fijimermaidable ,

True Crime Gem

I look forward to each new episode. The dynamic amongst the cohosts is lively and entertaining, and their individual discussion/storytelling styles shine. Smart, insightful and funny people who still treat each case with the gravitas it deserves. LOVE IT!! Love the f bombs too! Real talk here, not for squares 😂

Also, I love Alexis’. voice!!

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