The First Degree

The First Degree

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

DEEP DIVE: BECKHAM FAMILY FEUD

January 22, 2026 • 49 mins
We were graced by the Deep Dive gods this week with Brooklyn Beckham’s very public break up with his parents (including that BIZARRE wedding dance mention? We NEED to see the video!). Plus, Stephen Hawking carnival, Aaron Rodgers and his AI wife, and Jeffrey Epstein’s weird ass masks. And P.S., we recorded this ep right before the Blake / Taylor texts dropped, so we’ll be deep diving all of that next week! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bo...
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Episode 387: Jonathan Gerlach

January 21, 2026 • 52 mins
Today we’re stepping back to examine a case that has swept the nation — and shaken public trust in places meant to be sacred. At the center of it is Jonathan Gerlach, a man prosecutors say was involved in the systematic theft and trafficking of human remains, allegedly targeting hundreds of graves across multiple states. Much of the investigation focuses on Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Pennsylvania — one of the largest historic cemeterie...
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DEEP DIVE: STOP BULLYING ME!

January 15, 2026 • 47 mins
Man, 2026 is off to a bizarre start. This week a group of people were locked up in jail for posting tweets about Brigitte Macron (yep, you can get arrested for “online bullying”…who knew!). Plus, we share the story of Sascha Riley, an Epstein adjacent survivor who’s story is getting squashed by mainstream media, and dive into Hailey Bieber sending a cease and desist to a TikToker simply sharing their opinion. Moral of the story: ...
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Episode 386: John Hinckley Jr.

January 14, 2026 • 58 mins
On March 30, 1981, the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, is just two months into his presidency when he attends a speaking engagement at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. As the president exits the building and makes his way towards his limousine, six shots ring out. Members of the public and the Secret Service pounce on a 25-year-old man wielding a handgun nearby. In the affray, the president has been struck, ...
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DEEP DIVE: HOW WILL MOMTOK SURVIVE THIS???

January 8, 2026 • 51 mins
There’s a hell of a lot going on in the world right now, but we are hyper obsessing about Ashley Tisdale being booted from her mom group (it’s not an airport you don’t need to announce your departure!). Plus we give you updates on D4VD, Nick Reiner, David Harbor, Justin v Blake and more. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/...
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Episode 385: Jason Marous

January 7, 2026 • 34 mins
In January 2023, a 36-year-old man is found shot inside his vehicle outside his Fort Lauderdale apartment in the early morning hours. As detectives investigate, the case quickly stalls. With no arrests and no clear motive, the man’s family is left grappling not only with his sudden loss, but with the silence that follows. Living hundreds of miles away, they struggle to advocate from afar, returning to Florida year after year to kee...
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DEEP DIVE: NEW YEAR, SAME BULLSHIT

January 1, 2026 • 44 mins
Happy 2026! It’s a new year but we are still obsessing over the same ole shit. We’re deep diving into the latest Epstein files, and why doesn’t anyone talk about Bill Gates?? We chat about Epstein island and all of the lame ass Lolita quotes. Plus, what the HELL is going on with Riley Keough and John Travolta?? 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 In...
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Episode 384: The Crimes That Defined 2025

December 31, 2025 • 45 mins
On this New Year’s installment of The First Degree, Jac and Lex take you through the crime stories that defined 2025. From trials that dominated Court TV to investigations that exposed deep institutional failures, this episode revisits the cases that captured national attention and forced difficult conversations about accountability, justice, and trust in the system. As the year comes to a close, we reflect on what has changed, wha...
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DEEP DIVE: BYE BYE 2025

December 25, 2025 • 64 mins
It’s time to reflect on the past year and break down all of the celebrity scandals, cultural moments and conspiracies that shaped this year. We’re diving into UFO sightings, the Blake and Justin saga, the Diddy trial and aftermath, the Epstein files, and everything in between. It’s been a wild year and we can only imagine how batshit next year will be! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on P...
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Episode 383: An Arrest & Murder Trial Abroad

December 24, 2025 • 36 mins
This week, we are stepping outside our usual format to bring you a rare combination in true crime. First, we revisit a case we covered in episode 326. The 1981 disappearance of Lonene “Lonnie” Rogers, a young mother who vanished during a blizzard in rural Pennsylvania. For decades, her family lived with questions and silence. Now, after years of tireless advocacy by Lonnie’s daughter, there has been a major and unexpected developme...
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DEEP DIVE: RIP ROB REINER

December 18, 2025 • 48 mins
This week we delve into the shocking events surrounding the tragic deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner, exploring the complex family dynamics, and the chilling accusations against their son Nick. Plus, we’ve got Diddy and D4VD updates and spoiler alert: it’s not looking good. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree...
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Episode 382: Arthur J. Williams Jr., Part 2

December 17, 2025 • 43 mins
In 2006, things come crashing down around Arthur ‘Art’ J Williams Jr. One of the country’s top counterfeiters, a skill he first learned in his teens, the law finally catches up with him in the form of US Secret Service Agent Brad Beeler, who’s keen to understand how the man he’s been pursuing for seven years has managed to pull off one of the most daring counterfeit currency operations in the country undetected. As a result, three ...
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DEEP DIVE: DIDDY DEEP DIVE

December 11, 2025 • 47 mins
The OG Diddy Deep Dive is back! Like everyone else in the world, we binged 50 Cent’s new Diddy doc and we have THOUGHTS. We are chatting about bombshells in the doc, the aftermath on social media, and the main takeaway: Diddy was a LOSER. 🎟 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/@thefirstdegr...
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Episode 381: Arthur J. Williams Jr., Part 1

December 10, 2025 • 50 mins
In 1999, a young US Secret Service special agent is assigned to the counterfeit squad in Chicago, Illinois. Aside from dignitary protection, one of the agencies’ roles is to investigate counterfeiting. Across the Midwest, someone is spending up big with $100 counterfeit notes. The level of skill, expertise, and execution required to break the most secure and sophisticated note in the history of the US Treasury is equal parts impres...
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DEEP DIVE: RAGEBAIT

December 4, 2025 • 49 mins
New photos of Epstein Island just dropped, and we’re going through them all including yet ANOTHER dentist office?? Plus, we deep dive into the craziest Epstein / Gislaine / Richard Branson rabbit hole we’ve never heard about before: TerraMar. And it is a WILD ride. Plus Luigi updates, Kate Beckensale thinks her daughter’s boyfriend is laying eggs, and tin foil hats on for the Kim K / Elon Neuralink conspiracy. 🎟 Catch up to FO...
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Episode 380: Danielle Bell

December 3, 2025 • 53 mins
In September 2001, a 14-year-old high school freshman fails to come home after a night out with friends in Cantonment, Florida. As detectives begin searching for her, a troubling picture emerges - one involving older men, threats, and details her mother waited days to reveal. With each revelation, the focus shifts from assumptions of a runaway to something far more alarming. But with no sign of her anywhere, charges remain elusive....
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DEEP DIVE: EPSTEIN EMAILS

November 27, 2025 • 51 mins
You asked for an Epstein deep dive, you’re getting an Epstein deep dive. We decided to sift through the headlines and find the bizarre and random celebs in the Epstein emails, as well as analyze his “radical breakthroughs”. Spoiler alert: they’re not radical. Plus, updates on DV4D, Slenderman, and Kevin Spacey is NOT poor you guys. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/...
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Episode 379: True Crime Side Dishes

November 26, 2025 • 35 mins
This Thanksgiving week, we’re switching things up. Instead of one deep dive, we’re hitting three breaking cases lighting up the headlines.We look at the mysterious death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival Cruise, the shocking criminal evolution of Ryan Wedding, from Olympian to one of the FBI’s most wanted, and the explosive Long Island love triangle that ended in a fatal shooting outside a luxury yacht club.Three cases. ...
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DEEP DIVE: BETTER CALL KRIS

November 20, 2025 • 49 mins
Tin foil hats ON this week, people because there’s a lot to talk about. D4VD is finally named a suspect by authorities, Blake Lively’s team doing weird shit again, an adorable proposal turned into murder confession, and is Kris Jenner’s bday party the new Bohemian Grove? You tell us! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/the...
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Episode 378: Thirteen Years Later

November 19, 2025 • 69 mins
It began as a familiar face from high school, someone she once trusted. But over thirteen years, that connection twisted into something far darker. No matter how many times he was arrested or how long he was behind bars, he always came back. On episode 378 of The First Degree, Jac and Lex profile a harrowing story of an obsession without limits, and reveal what happens when the system can’t stop it. Learn more about your ad choices...
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