The First Degree

On October 9, 2012, 19-year-old Elizabeth “Lizzi” Marriott leaves a note for her uncle and aunt. Although Lizzi is a Massachusetts native, she is living with her family in Chester, New Hampshire while she attends a nearby university to pursue her degree in marine biology. In the note, Lizzi explains that she is going to a friend’s place after her evening class. Lizzi is never seen again. Two days...

It’s Killing Time! This week, the girls and the ginger are discussing new developments with the Long Island Serial Killer case, followed by some general tangents as of course is tradition! Then it’s on to Today I Learned! On deck today: Macaulay Culkin, Sierra Mist, and Costco hot dogs (again!) Here we go! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreo...

In the late night hours of May 9, 1996, a 30-year-old man leaves his home for his midnight shift in Brownwood, Texas. But he never makes it inside. Just after midnight, his car is found burning near a gun range, and his body is discovered nearby with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Despite the brutality of the man’s death, the police do not take his murder seriously, and the case quickly...

Hello! Welcome back to another very special episode of Killing Time! Today, the girls and the ginger are reminiscing about Alexis and Matt’s incredible “surprise” wedding! That’s it! So much to say about such an incredible weekend celebrating our amazing friends. Oh, also, we got a surprise Pizza Hut delivery mid-episode shout out to the hut! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full v...

Over a decade after Ronda Reynolds was killed, her mother wins the right under state law to have a judge convene an inquest into the death. When a jury determines that in their view the coroner originally got it wrong, the focus eventually pivots to not one but two people in the woman’s life. In episode 303, Alexis and Jac take you through the culmination of the Ronda Reynolds case, and how Barb,...

Welcome back to another exhilarating episode of Killing Time! This week, the girls and the ginger are ALL over the place, but eventually, it’s time for everybody’s favorite segment, Today I Learned! On the menu today: the origins of Dungeons and Dragons, Manatee facts, Avocados, and a listener-submitted T-bell grievance! And yes, we know you know Alexis got married this weekend, don’t worry, the e...

On December 16, 1998, a 33-year-old woman named Ronda Reynolds is found dead with a gunshot wound to the head inside her home in Toledo, Washington. Her death is ruled a suicide. But her mother believes there’s more behind the circumstances of the incomprehensible loss of someone who was one of the first female state troopers in Washington, and had only been married to her new husband of 18 months...

The girls and the ginger would like to welcome you back for another week of Killing Time! Today, Jac goes deep into the halls of history with a super extended version of on this day! Then! Today I learned! The 7-eleven logo, the origin of Arby’s name, and chaos on the set of Titanic! Enjoy! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstde...

On January 6, 2002, a 31-year-old pizza delivery driver is bludgeoned to death and has his throat cut after making a delivery to an apartment in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. the brutality of the attack, which police suspect is motivated by robbery, has the community on edge. Within days, a 17-year-old young man, who lives at the apartment where the victim is slain, and his 20-year-old female friend are app...

This week the girls and the ginger return for another fact-filled frenzy edition of Killing Time! Jac has about one million things to say before we get into the good stuff: Today I Learned! This week: Dolphin name tags, Hangover origins, Narlugas? Then back-to-back listener submitted TIL’s about KFC and eyedrops!! Let’s get it on! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episode...

In the early morning hours of October 6, 2009, a 19-year-old woman is shot in her bed as she sleeps in her family’s Milwaukee, Wisconsin home. Immediately after the gunshot, the woman’s mother awakens to the sound of footsteps outside her door. Upon opening it, she comes face to face with an intruder holding a shotgun in his hand. The intruder flees, and the family rushes to the woman’s room, only...

Welp, here we go again. The girls and the ginger return, and in the most Killing Time fashion ever, proceed to go on about 100 tangents before we get to our favorite new segment, Today I Learned! Our listener submission today is a fun fact about strawberries! Then! Angler fish reproduction, Five Guys fries, and bird flu! What a time to be alive! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus ful...

On December 11th, 1978, a 15-year-old boy disappeared after finishing work at a drugstore in Des Plaines, Illinois. Law enforcement was soon on the case and two days later, a search warrant was executed at a family home in the suburbs. But what investigators uncover in the coming weeks and months is beyond their wildest and most grotesque nightmares, as the public is left aghast when one of the co...

Here we go again! The girls and the ginger return for another week of who honestly knows anymore. This tangent-filled episode takes so many twists and turns it’s hard to remember where we started. But one thing remains: this week, you will LEARN! With us! Today I Learned is back, and we’re taking another listener submission about snails! Then! The rejection hotline, horseshoe crabs, and Bill Nye!...

In the spring of 1977, 18-year-old Matthew Bowman mysteriously disappeared from a suburban Chicago neighborhood. Matthew’s family immediately knew something horrible had happened, yet he was dismissed as a runaway by local police. Soon the arrest of serial killer John Wayne Gacy and the horrors found in the crawlspace under his house made the news. It was only then that Matthew’s family learned wh...

Welcome back for another thrilling episode of Killing Time! This week the girls and the ginger are opening up the phone lines for another installment of Today I Learned! Our caller brings another Roald Dahl fact that will definitely surprise you. Then! Nostrils, doorstoppers, and IOS flight tracking. Lots to learn! Plus! Another update on the LISK investigation from who else but our very own Alexi...

On February 10, 2002, authorities announce that they have finally determined the manner of Andrew Wieman’s death, and it comes as a surprise to everyone. Instead of bringing much needed answers, the determination only raises more questions for Andrew’s family and friends. Even after 20 plus years, these questions linger without answers, and the concerns continue to weigh heavily on their hearts. I...

Welcome back for another episode of Killing Time! This week the girls and the ginger are reaching into some current topics including an update on the LISK case, Gypsy Rose, and more! Today on Today I Learned: A bizarre autopsy, schizophrenia in blind people, the origin of the Guinness Book of World Records, and a listener submitted famous last words! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plu...

On January 4, 2001, a 20-year-old college student is found dead in his fraternity dorm room on the UC Davis campus. He has suffered 29 stab wounds, two of which are fatal. When authorities look around the room, they find evidence of a possible struggle. But there’s also a piece of paper that appears to be a suicide note. Right away, the campus police rule his death as a suicide. However, the coron...

This week the girls and the ginger are back for another half-fact-filled episode of Killing Time! In what might be our most intelligent sounding episode, we’re talking about deep ocean aliens, Einstein, space, and so much more that we know nothing about! Then! Today I Learned! We’re talking OJ, Tongues, Eclipses, and a Firstie calls in with another Roald Dahl fact! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episode...

On November 2, 2001, a 40-year-old woman is viciously bludgeoned and strangled to death inside her apartment in San Diego, California. Family, friends, and neighbors of the mother of one and passionate advocate for those living with Alagille Syndrome, are stunned and heartbroken, especially her teen daughter. While the killer is quickly apprehended, this doesn’t lessen the pain when his identity i...

This week the girls and the ginger return and we’re killing time in epic fashion! Jac has some spelling struggles, Lex has safety tips, and Jer has frog facts! Today I learned returns! Then! We’re revisiting our new favorite segment “Chat in the Hat” for some topical tangents! Join us! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree...

On April 19, 1973, a 7-year-old girl in Hillsdale, New Jersey, goes out selling Girl Scout cookies in her neighborhood. She knows she’s not allowed far, so when she doesn’t come home her family is instantly on high alert, as are the authorities. A widely publicized search for the youngster swings into action. But three days later, a grisly find brings the hunt to a sudden and devastating end. When...

Well well well, look who it is! The girls and the ginger return yet again for another episode of Killing Time! This week we’re bringing you more fun facts with Today I Learned, including a very special listener submission! Famous last words, a pringles coffin, extinct bananas, and… eating mummies? Join us! 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreo...

On June 26, 2009, a 26-year-old college graduate is attacked and stabbed multiple times inside her apartment complex in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The young woman calls 911, and law enforcement arrives on the scene while the assault is in progress. They do their best to gain access and incapacitate the assailant but tragically are unable to save the victim’s life. Her friends and family are shattered...