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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:

BONUS: KILLING TIME: OWN YOUR SHIT Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

This week the girls and the ginger are taking a brief look into the Scarlet Letter and the value of owning your shit! Speaking of, we’re starting a new segment to help you own your shit! Ask a girl, ask a ginger! Advice from your favorite non-qualified true-crime hosts! On the stand this week: illegally tinted windows, Diet Coke, crowding the baggage claim, and grocery store cart etiquette! Then, a worstie goes grinch!

🎟 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

⚖️ 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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Episode 239: HitmanForHire.Net Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

On the morning of Saturday, September 16th, 2006, 51-year-old Essam Ahmed Eid and his wife, 43-year-old Teresa Engle, meet with 23-year-old mortgage broker Anne “Lauryn” Royston to refinance their home. As the meeting begins, Eid reveals his true intentions: he is a hitman, and he was hired to kill Lauryn. According to Eid, Lauryn can escape death if she pays him $20,000 within three days. The FBI and Lauryn work together to arrest Eid, the creator of a nefarious website under the domain HitmanForHire.Net. But Eid mysteriously disappears. Meanwhile, in Ireland, 43-year-old Sharon Collins hires Eid to murder her multimillionaire boyfriend and his two sons, so she can steal their family fortune. When Eid and his coconspirators bungle the assassination, the Irish police and US federal agents team up to take down this dangerous man. In episode 239, Jac and Alexis chronicle the misadventures of the unexpected culprits behind HitmanForHire.Net.

🎟 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

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

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

🎟 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: BARBIE BLUNDERS Mar 09, 2023

Show notes

This week the girls and the ginger are toying around with the most bizarro Barbie blunders of all time! Then, on the stand this week: wacky wedding dances, toothbrushes in the dishwasher, making eye contact with TSA, and small talk before a favor! ALSO! A distracted driver avoids detention! All that and more on Killing Time!

🎟 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

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

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

🎟 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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Episode 238: Rebeca Peña Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

On April 10th, 2001, actress 26-year-old Rebeca Peña works on the film Muhammad Ali in Miami, Florida. Late that night, Rebeca leaves the set and drives to her Miramar apartment. No one ever sees her again. Six days later, fishermen find a suitcase floating in a Miami canal with Rebeca’s body inside. The police investigation reveals that Rebeca’s ex-boyfriend and the father of her child, 26-year-old Berkley Calvin Curtis Jr., may have been involved in Rebeca’s death. For years, Rebeca accused Berkley of physical and mental abuse. But Berkley is quickly cleared when his new girlfriend provides him with an airtight alibi the same night Rebeca was murdered. Berkley’s name is cleared. He moves across the country, raises Rebeca’s daughter, and starts a new family. But, 20 years later, on December 14th, 2020, the police arrest now 46-year-old Berkley. In episode 238, Jac and Alexis reveal how Berkley may have almost gotten away with murder.

🎟 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

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

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

🎟 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: BODIES Mar 02, 2023

Show notes

This week the girls and the ginger are digging deep! About six feet to be exact! That’s right, we’re talking grave robberies! On the stand this week: calling women females, men calling themselves boys, awkward street crossings, and untidy spaces! Then! Mayhem in the mosh pit as one of The Maine’s fans calls in with a worst thing they’ve ever done!

🎟 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

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

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

🎟 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 237: Nina Viktoria Hilt Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

On July 2, 2005, 911 is called to respond to a 2 year old adopted girl in Manassas, Virginia, who’s not breathing. At the hospital, medical staff find the girl has suffered severe internal injuries. Not only are the injuries quickly determined to be suspicious, but they were sustained a full day before medical attention is sought for the toddler. Hospital staff quickly notify the authorities. It’s too late to save the young girl’s life, but when the heat is turned up on her mother, nobody anticipates the significant and far reaching ripple effect the full consequences will have, not just for the victim’s caregivers, but for thousands of families across the country who are desperate to be adoptive parents. In episode 237, Jac and Alexis detail the tragic murder of Nina Hilt, at the hands of the very person in her life whose job was to protect and keep her safe.

🎟 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

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

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

🎟 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: BOTCHED Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

This week the girls and the ginger are back in the studio and we’re diving deep into the wild world of botched executions. Uplifting stuff really! But before we wallow in the gallows, on the stand this week we have some candy charges : mysterious strawberry treats, werthers originals, tootsie rolls, and ludens!! Then! Our first video worstie call! Join us!!

🎟 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

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

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

🎟 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 236: Sidney Ann Merrick Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

On Monday, September 26th, 1983, 21-year-old Sidney Ann Merrick drives from Salt Lake City to Park City, Utah, to run an errand for her boss. While heading eastbound on I-80, Sidney’s car breaks down. Less than an hour later, Sidney’s body is discovered on an off-ramp near Parleys Summit. She’s been stabbed to death. Eyewitnesses traveling along the freeway place 33-year-old Wesley Allen Tuttle at the scene. Tuttle is apprehended while trying to flee the country and swiftly convicted of first-degree murder. Shortly after, Tuttle escapes prison for five months. Then, the Utah Supreme Court changes Tuttle’s conviction to second-degree murder and significantly reduce his sentence. But, in 2008, new DNA testing proves Tuttle sexually assaulted and murdered another young woman: 14-year-old Lisa Lynne Chambers. In episode 236, Jac and Alexis explain how Wesley Allen Tuttle nearly escaped prison, the court system, and justice for over 25 years.

🎟 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

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

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

🎟 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: BABERAHAM LINCOLN Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

This week the girls and the ginger are here with some fascinating facial hair facts. One in particular actually. The story of Abraham Lincoln’s iconic beard! It’s four score and seven shaves ago, and the story is certainly one you won’t expect. On the stand this week: voice notes, folded potato chips, mayo on fries, and stinkin’ it up at the gym. PLUS! A New Years kiss of death!

🎟 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

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

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

🎟 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 235: Oscar Alvarado Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

On August 22, 2010, a 22 year old Salvadoran man is repeatedly stabbed to death in the backseat of a car in broad daylight in Charlotte, North Carolina. Witnesses to the brutal slaying call in the attack to 911. Straight away law enforcement is sure this is a drug deal gone wrong. Later that day a 17 year old young woman and her 18 year old boyfriend are apprehended at a hotel, along with the murder weapon. At the time of the murder, Charlotte is awash with heroin, so officers aren’t surprised about the nature of the killing. But when the identity of one of the suspects in particular is released to the public, everyone is shocked beyond words. In episode 235, Jac and Alexis detail the murder of Oscar Alvarado Chavez, at the hands of Danielle Holmes and her boyfriend Jonathan Fitzgerald, and how the ravages of addiction can sometimes take us to the point of no return.

🎟 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

⚖️ On the Stand: (818) 446-6889

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

🎟 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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