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The First Degree

Alexis Linkletter, Jac Vanek
The First Degree
Latest episode

679 episodes

  • The First Degree

    Episode 400: Father Robert Hoeffner

    2026-04-29 | 37 mins.
    On January 28th, 2024, a 76-year-old man and his 69-year-old sister are murdered at their home in Palm Bay, Florida. The killer flees, engaging the police in a dramatic shootout that ends in more tragedy, with additional lives lost and officers risking their lives to bring an end to the carnage. The shooting of the initial male victim, a retired priest, stuns locals, who mourn his loss. How could a well-respected pillar of the community become the victim of such senseless violence? As the investigation continues, dark and disturbing secrets are exposed about the man everyone thought they knew. The shocking revelations cast a whole new light not just on the motivation behind his death, but the complicity of a system that actively protects predators. In episode 400, Jac and Alexis detail the case of Father Robert Hoeffner and discuss how, when evil goes unpunished in powerful institutions, it’s the victims who continue to suffer as their alleged abusers walk free.

    🎟 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

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com
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  • The First Degree

    DEEP DIVE: HALEY BECK, PART 2

    2026-04-23 | 51 mins.
    Another week of crazy headlines awaits us including D4VD finally being arrested, Michael Jackson’s weird link to Epstein, and Gislaine Maxwell’s possible pardon. And unfortunately we’re back diving deep into the Haley Beck / Angela Burlaka scandal because a new bombshell drops every day. Texts, videos from other classmates, unsent notes from her phone. The list goes on and on and on.

    🎟 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

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
  • The First Degree

    Episode 399: Clayton Echard

    2026-04-22 | 1h 12 mins.
    You might know Clayton Echard as The Bachelor, but this time, he’s sitting down to tell his side of the story. In this special interview episode, we’re joined by Clayton Echard and Stephani Young of Love Trapped as we dig into the questions everyone’s been asking.

    Nothing is off limits: Clayton opens up about the headlines, the controversy, and what it’s really been like navigating the paternity scandal in real time. It’s raw, unfiltered, and gives a deeper look at the story beyond what you’ve seen online.

    🎟 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

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
  • The First Degree

    Clayton Echard: The Story

    2026-04-21 | 1h 9 mins.
    You might know Clayton Echard as The Bachelor, but lately his name has been tied to something far messier: a viral paternity scandal filled with bold accusations, conflicting stories, and nonstop online speculation. We’re unpacking the timeline, the drama, and what actually went down before we release our exclusive interview with him tomorrow, right in your feed.

    🎟 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

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
  • The First Degree

    DEEP DIVE: HALEY BECK

    2026-04-16 | 43 mins.
    We have found our new hyper fixation and it is the insane and unbelievable case of Haley Beck. We’re reading the police report, going through texts, and discussing it ALL. But before we dive in, we talk Ruby Rose’s accusations against Katy Perry, Melania Trump’s Epstein speech, and Frida McFadden’s true identity (spoiler alert, its literally just her with curly hair).

    🎟 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

    📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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About 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!)
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