The First Degree

In the early hours of September 6, 1994, a 21-year-old woman is found murdered in her apartment in Bakersfield, California. Just days earlier, she’d been hanging out with friends, laughing and talking. Now, her friends are left to question how someone could have taken her life so brutally—and why. Despite the tragedy, there’s no full investigation into her case, leaving her close friend to take ma...

Another week, another round of messed up and delusional celeb shenanigans.  We bring you the Blake vs Justin updates, Taylor & Travis Super Bowl conspiracies, Armie Hammer eating more body parts, & Allison Holker (allegedly) writing fake Amazon reviews for her new memoir?  These people truly are the gift that keeps on giving. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes ove...

On July 25, 2015, a man went to check on his neighbors, a married couple living in the suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona. When the 43-year-old husband opens the door, the neighbor outside recoils in horror when he sees the man has a severed arm. Realizing that a much more gruesome scene far beyond anyone’s nightmares lies inside the home, the neighbor calls police. When they arrive they find the man has...

Another week, another Blake vs. Justin vs. Ryan deep dive, and this one is a DOOZY.  Justin Baldoni’s lawyer followed through with his promise and launched THELAWSUITINFO.COM detailing the updated complaint as well as a 198 page timeline of events.  We’re going through all of the highlights and break down everything you need to know, including some of the cringiest texts known to man. 🎟 Catch up t...

In episode 337 Jac and Alexis conclude with part 2 of the Gilbert Gutjahr case. While the case is technically adjudicated, questions may always loom about the driving force behind the murder itself. And information revealed during the court proceedings leads to startling revelations. This episode explores so much more than a shocking crime, they delve into family dynamics, how they shape who we be...

It Ends With Us NEVER ENDS, and this week we’re learning that the ultimate villain might be none other than…Ryan Reynolds?? We’re going through all of the latest bombshells including why Colleen Hoover REALLY deleted her social media, evidence that Ryan Reynolds might be responsible for all of this mess, It Ends With Us Coloring Book???, exposing the NYT smear campaign, and Taylor Swift finally en...

In the early morning hours of January 22, 2021, 91-year-old Gilbert John Gutjahr was found severely wounded in his Bethany, Oregon home. When deputies arrive to help the retired public servant, he dies. Within hours, Gilbert’s stepson was arrested on a second degree murder charge. Jake’s cousin told officers that she witnessed Jake kill Gilbert. In episode 336, Jac and Alexis explore this case whi...

In news interviews Justin Baldoni’s lawyer promised to “sue Blake Lively into oblivion,” and those were not empty threats. Tinfoil hats on because the gals are taking you through the highlights of his scathing 179 page lawsuit. And brace yourselves because Lively’s famous bestie has been roped in too. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com...

Peter Nygard is one of the world’s most reviled sexual predators who you may have never heard of. For decades the Canadian fashion mogul intimidated his victims into silence and paid to bury accusations made against him while trafficking underage girls to his Bahamian party mansion on his private jet.  Emmy winning journalist and anchor Ashleigh Banfield grew up with Nygard as the uncle of childho...

There is way too much shit going on this week to pick one topic to dive into, so this week we’re discussing the darkest headlines from the past few days. Armie Hammer’s return to Hollywood (like is cannibalism just….okay now???), Diddy’s mom allegedly having freak offs of her own, more Deadpool / Nicepool drama, and Allison Holker trying to make a quick buck by throwing her late husband under the...

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, former candy business operator Dean “Candy Man” Arnold Corll builds a reputation in Houston Heights as a trusted individual. The parents of the lower-middle-class neighborhood appreciate how Dean is a role model and caretaker for the local boys and young men. Except this is a ruse. Dean is actually the serial rapist and murderer responsible for multiple missing b...

IT ENDS WITH US IN COURT.  This week we deep dive the never ending feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, and everything surrounding the It Ends With Us Drama.  We comb through each of their lawsuits, poke a few holes, and revel in all of the drama.  And oh boy are there RECEIPTS. PROOF. TIMELINE. SCREENSHOTS. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patr...

On the morning of August 8, 1973, 17-year-old Elmer Wayne Henley Junior shoots and kills former candy company owner, 33-year-old Dean Arnold Corll, in Pasadena, Texas. Wayne was acting in self-defense, saving himself and two friends. After a night of partying, Dean had bound the three young adults with the intent of raping and murdering them. Wayne convinced Dean to free him with false promises, w...

Okay we need to talk about WTF is up with all of the DRONES!!! Why is the govt being so sketchy, are they really biblically accurate angels, why are we just ignoring the plasmoids??? So many questions, literally no answers. Plus we finally get confirmation that birds aren’t real (just kidding…kinda?) 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/...

Years ago The First Degree covered the serial murder spree of Glen Rogers, also known as The Casanova Killer. On the heels of OJ Simpson's 2024 death, a new theory about his horrific crimes involving Glen Rogers has circulated, and it's time to debunk them and put the rumors for bed once and for all. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/...

Happy rot day everyone!  On this very special holiday, we break down and analyze Kim Kardashian’s bizarre rendition music video of Santa Baby.  Is it satanic symbolism, a very creative marketing scheme, or is it simply just…art?  Plus, a cancelled Kardashian Christmas party and angel monitor conspiracies.  And of course, we bring you the latest Luigi updates. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per...

In 2020 we covered the case of The Stanford Murders. A string of crimes that occurred between 1973-1974 in the area surrounding Stanford University. In 2016 a cold case unit regrouped their efforts, which led to the identification of a suspect named John Getreu, a serial killer operating under the radar for more than 50 years. In this special update episode we’ll delve into the significant develop...

Jay-Z’s lawyer is claiming there’s no friendship between he and Diddy, despite a paper trail dating back decades. Hats on, critical minds open, seat belts fastened. Buckle up friends because we’re coming in hot with everything you need to know (except for the history of Jay-Z and Beyoncé because that deserves its own episode). 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes ov...

In the early hours of May 18, 2024, a 39-year-old mother of four vanishes after last being seen at her mother-in-law’s home in Redding, California. Just days earlier, she had shared plans to divorce her abusive husband and rebuild her life. When her family stops hearing from her, alarm bells ring, especially given her husband’s history of violence and erratic behavior. Detectives soon discover her...

Put your tin foil hats on because this weeks episode is a wild ride! Join us as we uncover everything we can about Luigi Mangione, the murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Health Care, and what the hell is ACTUALLY going on. We’re talking facts but we’re also diving into theories because let’s be honest, nothing is making sense right now… 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus ful...

On October 7, 2022, a 22-year-old black woman is frantically knocking on doors in a suburban neighborhood on the outskirts of Kansas City, Missouri. When police arrive, they find the distressed woman with duct tape around her neck, wearing a trash bag, and a metal collar with a padlock. She tells police she had been held against her will and sexually assaulted by a man at a home nearby. But this i...

Today is a different kind of deep dive!  You know the show Sister Wives?  Yeah, the wacky reality show on TLC about that weird polygamist guy with the ramen noodle mullet? Did you know one of his wives has a serial killer in her family tree?  This week we’re deep diving the dark, twisted history of the LeBaron family.  And there’s murder….lots of murder. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month...

On March 22, 2016, a 50-year-old woman passes away in Baldwin, New York. She had been suffering from chronic pain for almost 10 years following surgery, and was found to have died from an opioid overdose. It’s a tragic yet not uncommon story in a country in the grip of a sweeping prescription opioid epidemic. It wouldn’t be until almost two and a half years later that an investigation commenced in...

You asked for it, and boy did we deliver! This week’s Deep Dive is allllllll about Ellen DeGeneres. Hats on. Minds open. Because it turns out that Diddy isn’t the only diabolical supervillain floating around the 1%. We dive into the Wayfair x Ellen Trafficking conspiracy theory, the bizarre death of Anne Heche and tWitch, and why exactly did Ellen and Portia flee the country??? 🎟 Catch up to FOUR...

In October of 2023 we released two episodes discussing the cases of Rita Tangredi and Colleen McNamee. There have been significant developments regarding the man convicted of their murders. These essential updates involve the Long Island Serial Killer suspect, Rex Heuermann. 🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon: patreon.com/thefirstdegree 📸 Instagra...