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The First Degree – Alexis Linkletter, Jac Vanek — Personal Journals
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!)

Copyright: © Alexis Linkletter and Jac Vanek

Latest Episodes:

LISK: Getting to know Melisssa Barthelemy Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

From the moment she was born on June 24th, 1985, Melissa Mary Barthelemy was loved. Between her mother, father, and siblings, Melissa was raised alongside people who truly cared about her. As a child, Melissa was recognized for her cleverness and charming smile. As a young woman, Melissa was respected for her independence and determination. After graduating high school in the early 2000s, Melissa went to cosmetology school and moved to New York City to become a hairstylist. Unfortunately, New York City’s notoriously high cost of living caused Melissa to struggle financially. That is until, one day, Melissa met a man who promised her quick, reliable money through sex work. As a result, on July 12th, 2009, Melissa left her Bronx apartment to meet a Long Island john. She was never seen again. In this episode, Jac and Alexis discuss Melissa Barthelemy’s heartbreaking story and her connection to the still-unsolved Long Island Serial Killer case.

🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

patreon.com/thefirstdegree

❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com

📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

💩 Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done: (818) 446-6889

🤝 Advice: hello@thefirstdegreepodcast.com

🎟 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

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BONUS: KILLING TIME: BEN FRANKLIN Jun 15, 2023

Show notes

This week the girls and the ginger return with an electrifying episode! It’s all things Benjamin Franklin! Find out what it takes to make it onto the 100 dollar bill! Spoiler alert, it’s a lot of weird shit! On the stand this week: separate sleeping zones on the same bed, Red Hot Chili Peppers, befriending birds, and crowdsurfing! Plus! A worstie firstie with a dinnertime diss!

🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

patreon.com/thefirstdegree

❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com

📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

💩 Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done: (818) 446-6889

🤝 Advice: hello@thefirstdegreepodcast.com

🎟 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

Episode 252: Zadie Cooper Jun 14, 2023

Show notes

On July 4, 2016, 911 is called to respond to a 4 year old girl in Athens, Alabama, who’s not breathing. At the hospital, the youngster is placed on life support while her family hope and pray she regains consciousness. But three days later, with no hope of recovery, the little girl’s distraught parents make the heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support. A cause of death can’t be determined and there’s no obvious sign of injury. But those close to the family, as well as police, are starting to become suspicious. Nine months later, with the case still open, there’s a shocking development. When the killer makes themselves known and the circumstances behind the tragedy become clear, there’s answers, but the pain is not lessened. In episode 252, Jac and Alexis detail the devastating murder of Zadie Cooper, at the hands of one person who loved her more than anything in the world.

🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

patreon.com/thefirstdegree

❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com

📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

💩 Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done: (818) 446-6889

🤝 Advice: hello@thefirstdegreepodcast.com

🎟 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

BONUS: KILLING TIME: BIG BROTHER Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

This week, the girls and the ginger are PARANOID! We’re here drawing some interesting conclusions between modern society and George Orwell’s dystopian social science fiction novel 1984. But first! On the stand this week: PB&J on wheat bread, hugging, ignoring crooked picture frames, and street sweeping! And finally, a familiar firstie shares her worstie.

🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

patreon.com/thefirstdegree

❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com

📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

💩 Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done: (818) 446-6889

🤝 Advice: hello@thefirstdegreepodcast.com

🎟 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

Episode 251: Thomas Brackett Jun 07, 2023

Show notes

When you think of public places where children should all be expected to feel safe, school is one of them. Church is another. Sometimes in such spaces, it’s not uncommon to come across unusual, even weird people. But you can’t control who attends a school or turns up to church service on Sundays. Usually we can brush off interactions with these people as just odd encounters. But sometimes, people who make us uncomfortable come into our lives not only for an extended period but in a way involving close contact. If we’re lucky, they eventually drop out of their lives and we don’t hear anything about them ever again. But what happens when you receive sudden news that takes you straight back to your unpleasant memories of someone, and you learn they’re accused of the very thing you always suspected but could never confirm? In episode 251, Jac and Alexis detail the case of Thomas Brackett.

🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

patreon.com/thefirstdegree

❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com

📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

💩 Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done: (818) 446-6889

🤝 Advice: hello@thefirstdegreepodcast.com

🎟 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

LISK: Getting to know Jessica Taylor Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

Today The First Degree is joined by Jessica Taylor’s cousin, Jasmine- who fondly recalls the details of growing up with her vivacious older cousin. Jessica loved to dance, she loved double dutch, and she loved to read… but most importantly, she was adored by her family. In July of 2003, when Jessica was only 20-years-old, she was kidnapped and murdered by the Long Island Serial Killer. It’s been 20 years since she disappeared, which is the same number of years Jessica lived before her life was senselessly cut short. Today’s bonus episode is dedicated to keeping Jessica’s memory alive and exploring her place in the unsolved Long Island Serial Killer case.

🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

patreon.com/thefirstdegree

❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com

📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

💩 Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done: (818) 446-6889

🤝 Advice: hello@thefirstdegreepodcast.com

🎟 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

BONUS: KILLING TIME: DOOMSDAY Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

This week get ready for another installment of Ask a Girl, Ask a Ginger! That’s right, we’re here yet again to offer some advice to some of our faithful firsties! But first! On the stand this week: instrumental interludes in songs, heating pads, the sidewalk salsa, and seeded grapes! And finally, a worstie with a sister secret you have to hear to believe! PLUS! It’s the end of the world as we know it!

🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

patreon.com/thefirstdegree

❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com

📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

💩 Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done: (818) 446-6889

🤝 Advice: hello@thefirstdegreepodcast.com

🎟 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

Episode 250: Suffolk County Police (LISK Part 3) May 31, 2023

Show notes

On December 9th, 2015, the former Suffolk County Chief of Police James Burke is arrested for assaulting Chris Loeb three years earlier. Back in December 2012, Chris stole several items from Burke’s police vehicle, including a black duffel bag with an alleged homemade snuff film inside of it. Concerned that Chris would reveal the contents of his duffel bag, Burke struck Chris repeatedly and threatened to kill him. In November 2016, Burke is sentenced to 46 months in prison for his crimes. But, during the investigation of Burke, more of his corruption was revealed. From January 2012 to October 2015, Burke single-handedly slowed the progress of the Long Island Serial Killer case. He shut out the FBI, forced out detectives on the case, and stopped the searches for more victims. In episode 250, Jac and Alexis delve into how Burke could be responsible for allowing the Long Island Serial Killer to get away with multiple murders.

🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

patreon.com/thefirstdegree

❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com

📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

💩 Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done: (818) 446-6889

🤝 Advice: hello@thefirstdegreepodcast.com

🎟 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

LISK: Her name was Valerie Mack May 26, 2023

Show notes

Valerie Lyn Mack was a loving sister, a caring mother, and a dynamic woman During her childhood, Valerie trekked from foster home to foster home for almost a decade. But, when she was nine years old, Valerie was adopted by two loving parents: Edwin and JoAnn Mack. Valerie thrived with the Macks. Her grades improved, she participated in theater, and she showed real leadership potential. But, throughout Valerie’s teen and adult years, she would struggle financially, battle drug abuse, and become entrenched in sex work. By the fall of 2000, 24-year-old Valerie stopped communicating with her family. Deeply concerned, the Macks attempted to file a missing person report for Valerie, but the New Jersey police refused. In this episode, Jac and Alexis will shed light on Valerie’s life and death, as well as the progress her case has seen over the past two decades.

🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

patreon.com/thefirstdegree

❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com

📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

💩 Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done: (818) 446-6889

🤝 Advice: hello@thefirstdegreepodcast.com

🎟 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

BONUS: KILLING TIME: DOWN YOU GO May 25, 2023

Show notes

This week the girls and the ginger are back to explore some post-life plans. Turning into a coral reef, maybe a tree? Get launched into the sun? Anything is possible with money! On the stand this week: tasting before ordering a flight, milk, businesses answering the phones with a simple “hello?”, and toe shoes!! Plus! A worstie with some toothbrush treachery!

🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

patreon.com/thefirstdegree

❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com

📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

💩 Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done: (818) 446-6889

🤝 Advice: hello@thefirstdegreepodcast.com

🎟 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

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