The First Degree

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 country’s most infamous and prolific serial killers is exposed. Someone who killed not just Robert Jerome Piest, but at least 32 other boys and young men. Including 18-year-old Matthew Bowman, the uncle of Megan, one of two First Degree sources interviewed for these episodes. In part 2, a new voice joins the conversation in the form of attorney and author Karen Conti, who represented Gacy in his final death penalty appeal and wrote a book about her experience.

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! Let’s go!

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 what happened to him. In speaking with members of Matthew’s family, this episode demonstrates how the loss of Matthew at the hands of John Wayne Gacy still reverberates today.

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 Alexis Linkletter!

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. In episode 297, Jac and Alexis detail how authorities arrived at their determination, as well as the emotional impact it had on the family.

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!

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 coroner’s office finds the circumstances suspicious and orders a full investigation. Over the following months, authorities struggle to reach a consensus on the circumstances surrounding the student's death. In episode 296, Jac and Alexis break down the investigation into the death of Andrew Wieman, and his family’s fight for answers along the way.

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!

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 is revealed. If anything, it highlights the tragedy of the victim’s loss and only leads to more questions about the disturbing details of her death, with those left behind mourning the passing of someone who still had so much to give. In episode 295, Jac and Alexis detail the sickening murder of Julie Kelin at the hands of Gabriel John Bradway, the dangers of obsession, and why the safest place for perpetrators of such crimes who fail to respect other’s boundaries in such a malicious way is behind bars.

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!

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 the identity of the perpetrator emerges and it’s revealed how he assaulted and murdered his helpless victim, it becomes clear that the little girl didn’t even make it to the end of her street. In episode 294, Jac and Alexis detail the heartbreaking murder of Joan D’Alessandro and her family’s fight not just for justice, but for swift and meaningful legislative reform to prevent the horror they lived through from becoming a painful reality for any other family. Please visit http://joansjoy.org/ to learn more about Joan's story and Rosemarie's work.

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!

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 when they learn not only how she died, but the identity of the perpetrator. In a twist to the investigation, the attacker attempts to place responsibility for the death with the actions of the officers who responded. In episode 293, Jac and Alexis detail the tragic murder of young woman by her ex-boyfriend, and discuss how the emotional fallout from fatalities resulting from domestic violence ripples throughout the community in ways that forever change the lives of those whose sole mission is to protect and serve.

This week the girls and the ginger return with another half-fact-filled episode of Killing Time! Join us for a special revival of “On the Stand” featuring animal bonding, street meat, and migraines! Then, we’re jumping into some current events since we procrastinated and recorded this episode yesterday! Yeehaw!

In the early hours of January 3, 2009, a 29-year-old man is found shot in his truck outside a bar in College Station, Texas. He’s still alive at this point, so first responders rush him to the hospital, where he sadly passes away. Detectives get to work and quickly identify a suspect - a 36-year-old car salesman with a history of violence. However, detectives struggle to figure out a motive behind the shooting. In fact, the victim and the murderer never even exchanged words. In episode 292, Jac and Alexis delve into the tragic murder of William Rufus Stephens Jr., and his killer’s history of “psycho” behavior.

This week the girls and the ginger return for a Killing Time of epic proportions! Today I Learned returns for another fact-filled feature including info about the platypus, Robert Pattinson, and more! Then it’s time for chat in a hat! Strap in!

On the morning of November 29, 2005, a fire breaks out at a Morgantown, West Virginia home, engulfing the quiet neighborhood in chaos. Amidst the smoke and flames, responders discover the badly burned body of a 33-year-old man, lying in his bed. As investigators sift through the evidence, they quickly realize this is no ordinary house fire - it's arson, and the man had been dead before the blaze began. As the investigation continues, the evidence keeps leading investigators back to one person in particular. Someone very close to the victim who had multiple motives to want him gone. In episode 291, Jac and Alexis unravel the harrowing tale of James “Jimmy” Michael's murder, and his family’s journey to justice, and for some, forgiveness.

This week on Killing Time the girls are joined by true crime royalty, the one and only Tamron Hall. Throughout her career, Tamron has dominated all corners of the media as crime reporter, talk show host and novelist. On today’s episode we share our full interview with Tamron, delving into topics like love, loss, success, and the real life cases that have inspired her writing.

On a very special episode of The First Degree, Alexis & Jac talk to award winning crime journalist, talk show host and author, Tamron Hall. Tamron opens up about the true crime cases that have stuck with her throughout her career, and coping with the personal tragedy of losing of her sister. Renate Newton, Tamron’s sister, was murdered on July 11th of 2004, and to this day her killer has not been apprehended. Tamron candidly sheds light on her new novel, Watch Where They Hide, delving into the real life parallels that inspired her work.

This week the girls are joined by our good friend and bombshell Holly Madison for a very special Killing Time! We’re talking hauntings, aliens, conspiracies and more! Plus! Corn cob! Stick around til the end to find out what it means!

In this episode, Holly Madison shares a peek behind the curtain of the forbidden world of Playboy. During her time at the mansion she encountered several Playboy hopefuls, looking for a way into Hef’s impenetrable inner circle... women just like Jill Ann Spaulding. As Host and EP of Season 2 of Investigation Discovery’s “The Playboy Murders,” Holly takes us through a story that began in tinsel town and ended in tragedy.

Hello Firsties! The girls and the ginger are back under quite rare circumstances! Today is leap day! Join us as we explore some interesting happenings in history from this bizarre bonus day. Then! A couple new segments today: Today I learned, and Chat in the Hat!

We conclude with part two of our coverage of the Denise & Aaron’s unbelievable story. Delving into the catastrophic failure of law enforcement in this case, the dogged female detective that broke the case wide open, the troubling past of the perpetrator, and the questions that still linger.

This week the girls and the ginger return and dive deep down the rabbit hole of Reddit! Also, we’re banging the gavel yet again. Straight to jail this week: Senior living housing prices, Elon Musk, and bowls! And stick around until the end for a cringe confession from a thrifty thief!

In part one, Lex and Jac sit down with Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn, the couple at the center of the earth shattering story that’s captivated the nation. Whether you know them from their book, Victim F. or the explosive Netflix Documentary “American Nightmare,” what you think you know about their story and the bizarre elements of this case is just the tip of the iceberg.

The girls and the ginger return with another episode of Killing Time! Don those tin foil hats because this week Alexis has uncovered some very bizarre information regarding the alleged time traveling capability of a certain recent US president and his family. Hoo boy. Even for me (hi it’s Jared) this is a lot to process. Also! The introduction of a brand new segment: Cringe Confessions!

On August 27, 1990, a 19-year-old man is shot and his body concealed inside a commercial freezer at his workplace in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The killer steals cash from the register and flees the scene. The investigation drags on, much to the frustration and distress of not only the victim's family and friends, but the local community which is shaken in the aftermath of the seemingly random and brutal killing. But soon, the much-needed breakthrough comes thanks to the killer’s conscience, who reveals to law enforcement it was a catastrophic case of robbery gone wrong. In episode 286, Jac and Alexis detail the tragic case of Greg Hunter, his death at the hands of Richard James Yarger, and how, when someone is intent on selfish and desperate action, sometimes a dreadful collision of malevolence and circumstances result in the senseless loss of innocent and promising young life.

WE’RE BACK! Did you miss us? Killing Time returns today, and the gang is back in the studio! Two girls, one ginger, here yet again with more half-facts than ever! Couple new segments today: Straight to Jail and Down the Rabbit Hole. Join us!

On July 16, 2011, a 54-year-old man and his 47-year-old wife are bludgeoned to death at their home in Port St Lucie, Florida. The community is shocked beyond belief. The couple, who have been married for 25 years, leave behind a shell-shocked and heartbroken family, including two sons, who are left questioning the motivation for such an incomprehensible attack. When the perpetrator is identified, and their rationale for committing such a brutal double murder, those close to the victims are left wondering whether anything could have really stopped such a monstrous act. In episode 285, Jac and Alexis detail the disturbing case of Blake Hadley and his wife Mary-Jo, and how, when someone appears intent on heading down a certain path, sometimes no possible intervention can ever really prevent a person from making the most horrifying decision any of us could ever imagine.

In a usually quiet neighborhood in Bakersfield, California, a family of five was murdered in their home on a sleepy Sunday afternoon. At first, police thought a random intruder could be responsible, but then, to the community’s surprise, detectives reveal this murder was not a random killing. Instead, it involved a suspect in another state, a history of abuse allegations and a connection much closer to home.

On Halloween, 2005, a 25-year-old woman disappears in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Almost a week later, search parties find her Toyota RAV4 concealed in a salvage yard business where the young woman was last headed for a work assignment. Utimately, the property owner and his young nephew are convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. 10 years later, the documentary series ‘Making A Murderer’ raised serious questions about the men’s guilt, including allegations of police corruption in framing at least one of the killers, who had previously been previously wrongfully convicted. The much-lauded series went on to win awards for what many were led to believe was a balanced presentation of all the facts. But the filmmakers had in fact omitted key evidence contradicting their narrative. In episode 284, Jac and Alexis detail the tragic murder of Teresa Halbach at the hands of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey, and how the fallout of exposing unethical media practices proves that consumers of true crime content should always be thinking critically.

A young girl vanishes on her way to the bus stop. Two months later, the best friend of the missing girl vanishes under identical circumstances. There’s no doubt about it, the cases are linked, but it takes the investigators months to uncover the cruel truth of what happened to them - revealing the dark family history of the perpetrator.

On August 29, 2021, police respond to a 911 call from a home in Peoria, Arizona. Inside the residence, they find a 33-year-old nurse unresponsive on the floor of the bedroom, her estranged husband frantically attempting CPR, and his mother also present. He tells first responders the couple had been out drinking earlier in the evening, and his wife stopped breathing after being put in the shower. It all appears to be a terrible case of accidental death for the mother of two. But when paramedics observe injuries to the victim inconsistent with her husband’s account, things start to unravel, and law enforcement learns that all was not well within the couple’s marriage. In episode 283, Jac and Alexis detail the tragic mysterious death of Leanne Irene Davidson, the questions that linger around the circumstances, and why Leanne’s loved ones are not giving up until they find justice.

A note for our listeners: The New Year means a brand spankin’ new Killing Time. Don’t worry, we’re not leaving you hanging while we revamp our Thursday episodes. We’re dropping some of our favorite Patreon shows in the feed in the meantime. If you like what you hear join us over there. If not, hang tight, Killing Time will be back before you know it. A college student goes on her dinner break in Santa Clara, California. As she walks to her car, a mysterious man attacks the 19-year-old and drives off with her. Decades went by and many gave up hope that the ice cold case would ever be solved. Until a new revelation connects her death to a known serial killer along with a list of other victims.

On December 13, 1990, 27-year-old Kimberly Kaye “Kim” Wallace travels to her estranged husband 62-year-old Dr. Jack Ray Wallace’s home in Cobb County, Georgia to grab Christmas decorations. She is never seen alive again. Hours later, a small airplane lands 300 miles to the south near the Okefenokee Swamp. Those piloting the Cessna 172 aircraft did not turn on the radio-activated runway lights while landing, and an onlooker calls the authorities. When the officers arrive, they find Kim’s nude body on board the plane stuffed into a large, black toolbox with a plastic bag tied over her head. Piloting the plane is Dr. Wallace’s divorce attorney, 53-year-old Michael Glean, and his former neighbor, 43-year-old Frederick Steven Speas. Both men, along with Dr. Wallace and a fourth co-conspirator, are arrested, charged, and tried for orchestrating Kim’s murder. In episode 282, Jac and Alexis reveal how an elaborate murder-for-hire plot unraveled through sheer chance.

A note for our listeners: The New Year means a brand spankin’ new Killing Time. Don’t worry, we’re not leaving you hanging while we revamp our Thursday episodes. We’re dropping some of our favorite Patreon shows in the feed in the meantime. If you like what you hear join us over there. If not, hang tight, Killing Time will be back before you know it. A student murder becomes the center of speculation at Hofstra University in New York. The sophomore was missing from campus for three weeks. The case had hit a standstill. But investigators found out that was because the killer was burying their tracks across Long Island.

On Sunday, November 13, 2016, Pat Comunale worries about his son, 26-year-old Joey Comunale. Joey was supposed to arrive at his father’s house to watch football, but he never shows up. After a brief investigation, investigators discover that Joey has been brutally murdered by either 25-year-old Jimmy Rackover, 28-year-old Larry Dilione, or both. Jimmy and Larry, both affluent men with powerful friends, met Joey at a late night after party held in Jimmy’s New York City luxury apartment. Following a drug-fueled argument, Joey was brutally beaten and stabbed to death. After failing to dismember Joey’s body in Jimmy’s bathtub, Larry and Jimmy push Joey out of Jimmy’s penthouse’s fourth floor window onto the busy Manhattan sidewalk. To this day, Larry claims Jimmy dealt the final blow to Joey, while Jimmy claims the opposite. In episode 281, Alexis unravels the complicated politics, scandals, and accusations that shroud Joey Comunale’s murder in mystery.

This week the girls and the ginger ring in the new year with a good ol’ fashioned Q&A! We polled our firsties and then proceeded to offer some slightly solicited advice! Take it at your own risk! On the stand today: Sub-tweets, Trader Joe’s potstickers, and broccoli cheddar soup! Happy New Year!

On Friday, September 17, 1971, 10-year-old Pamela Kay Wills returns from Boyd Elementary School to her home in northern Jackson, Mississippi. That afternoon, Pamela and her friend, 11-year-old Patricia Ann Mizell, spend time together at Pamela’s house. The two girls tell Pamela’s father that they are going to walk the two-block journey to a nearby department store. Hours later, the Jackson Police Department is notified that Pamela and Patricia are missing. The ensuing investigation reveals little new information. It’s unclear if that’s due to a particularly careful child abductor or a lack of effort on behalf of the Jackson Police Department. On February 14th of 1975, two farmers discover the skeletal remains of Pamela and Patricia. They are located in a leafy ravine west of Vicksburg, Mississippi. In episode 280, Jac and Alexis unveil how two young girls vanished off the face of the Earth with zero explanation, few leads, and no evidence leading to their killer.

This week the girls and the ginger are hanging on by a holiday thread! It’s trash week! The best week of the year for those of us who just want to sit around and do nothing! On the stand today: auto-reply emails, fancy outfits on NYE, and wearing high heels to a house party! Then! We’re getting into some very bizarre traditions, stay tuned!

On Christmas Eve, 2016, an 81-year-old woman is shot dead at her family-owned business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The sudden and senseless slaying had an added layer of heartbreak, as the grocery store owner was a beloved community figure and familiar face known by everyone in the neighborhood. When it emerges that the victim wasn’t the target of the shooting this only adds to the confusion. But law enforcement quickly learns the offender’s likely identity, coming to realise the killing is not just a matter of ‘wrong place, wrong time’, but also sadly a case of payback at any cost. In episode 279, Jac and Alexis detail the devastating murder of Marie Buck at the hands of Maurice Green, and how, when pride and the desire for revenge take hold, it can have tragic consequences that override one’s moral compass in irrevocable ways.

The girls and the ginger are back and we’re getting festive yet again! It’s a Christmas episode! Do people even listen to podcasts around the holidays? Who knows! But we’re here to give you some high quality content because you know we always have your back. On the stand today: Food gifts, Matching xmas PJ’s, and adult Christmas lists. Then! A worstie gets a surprisingly stinky present!

Alexis and Jac conclude with the second installment of the coverage on the case of Wilbur and Wilma Williams.

This week the girls and the ginger return for some sort of necklace personality quiz designed by none other than our emo queen Jacquelene. Come find out which early 2000’s neckwear you are! On the stand this week: Viral symbolic items, gravy, referring to yourself in third person, and cereal! Then, a surprise ending you’re gonna want to stick around for! It’s Killing Time!

On Tuesday, August 3, 1999, 14-year-old identical twin brothers Donell and Ronell Williams break into a house in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas. They steal numerous items, including a handgun and ammunition. Later that day, the brothers are wandering their neighborhood aimlessly with the stolen pistol and live rounds in their possession. By chance, Ronell and Donell spot 79-year-old Wilbur John Williams (no relation) walking toward his mailbox. Shortly after, Ronell holds Wilbur and his wife, 73-year-old Wilma Faye Williams, at gunpoint in their own home while Donell steals their valuables. Afterward, as Donell readies the getaway car, Ronell shoots and kills both Wilbur and Wilma. He leaves as the elderly couple lay dying. Then, corruption in the Kansas City Police Department brings up questions. In episode 277, Jac and Alexis detail the atrocities caused by two teens’ unthinkable decisions and the far-reaching impact their crimes continue to have on the lives of others.

This week the girls and the ginger are back with a big time full-fact! Did you know the origin of the Michelin star rating system? We didn’t, but today we’re breaking it down, and it’s making us hungry! Then, we’re getting into some low IQ crimes. On the stand today: Removable sports bra padding, birthday instagram posts, and dessert dips! And finally, a Worstie with a sizable smackdown!

The second installment of Alexis and Jac’s two part episode covering the Murdaugh Murders, featuring interviews with Mandy Matney and Carolyn Murnick, authors of “Blood on Their Hands.”

Hello Firsties! We’re back again for another week of Killing Time! We’re talking about Catherine the Great! A woman of great power and an even greater body count! She also had some wild chairs, but we’ll get into that later. On the stand today: moaning at a massage, Taco Bell, pickle ball, and new movies being pulled from theaters too early. Then, a worstie returns some soiled shorts!

On February 24, 2019, a 19-year-old woman and her friends are on a private boat ride in the very early hours of the morning near Beaufort, South Carolina. The carefree night turns ugly when the 19-year-old skipper crashes the boat into a bridge, killing the young woman. The saga that follows is something, few people could have predicted. Two more people close to the case end up losing their lives in a brutal double slaying, before other previous deaths in the community soon become linked to a prominent local family at the center of the investigation. In episode 275, Jac and Alexis detail the tragic deaths of Gloria Satterfield, Stephen Smith, and Mallory Beach, followed by the shocking murders of Paul Murdaugh and his mother Maggie, the latter two orchestrated by their husband and father, local attorney Alex. This is a story about how all the power, prestige, and privilege in the world don’t make us untouchable when it comes to the law, and what happens when someone is brought to account by those whose job it is to expose the truth, no matter the risk.

The girls and the ginger return for a Thanksgiving episode STUFFED with all kinds of convo to distract you from the horrors of family gatherings! On the stand this week: overusing the word “perfect”, voice messages, catching up after a happy birthday text, and a quick revisit to EGG NOG! Then it’s on to Thanksgiving Day crimes! And finally, a Worstie skips school!

On November 4, 2021, a 32-year-old woman and her 7 year old daughter are riding along as passengers with the woman’s 32-year-old boyfriend in his Honda Civic, along the I-26 in Charleston, South Carolina. Suddenly, their evening takes a turn when their vehicle accidentally has a minor collision with another. The Honda drives away, but a 24-year-old man witnesses the hit and run. He calls 911 but then pursues in his Mazda. After both vehicles turn off the highway, the Honda collides with the Mazda three times. Without warning, the Mazda driver fires a gun at the passenger side of the Honda several times, killing the woman inside and destroying multiple lives forever. In episode 274, Jac and Alexis detail the devastating death of Christina Colon, resulting from the actions of her boyfriend Austin Blayne Faltermeier and Parker Norman Gour, and the tragic story of how a split-second decision inflicts life-altering consequences you can’t come back from.

The girls and the ginger are back yet again for another week of Killing Time! Today, Jac has brought a Twilight presentation. We didn’t ask for this, but here we are. On the stand: bagel to cream cheese ratios, wheat bread, unsalted butter, and big pumpkin!

On October 6th of 2021, Catholic high school music teacher 45-year-old Joseph Martin “Joe” Heidesch is arrested for multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a child and breach of privacy. Further investigation reveals that, from 2016 to 2021, the choir director secretly filmed his female students changing into their performance outfits in his private office. Court documents revealed that Mr. Heidesch would strongly encourage his female students to use his office to change clothes. He told the girls there was a “‘special lock” on his office door that would make their experience safer. Ultimately, more than 100 young women who attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, Kansas, are notified that they were victimized by Mr. Heidesch’s crimes. In episode 273, Jac and Alexis unravel how one man’s pedophilia, lies, and exploitation negatively impacted many young women, their families, and the community as a whole.

This week the girls and the ginger return and things go immediately off the rails. What starts as a casual conversation turns into an entire episode of on the stands! We’re talking all things self-improvement. Do we really need to be our best selves? Are cigarettes part of a healthy organic lifestyle? Is aluminum the key to smelling good? We can’t promise we have the answers, but we definitely have some half-facts for you!

On August 1, 2002, two 16-year-old and 17-year-old young women, total strangers, are each parked with male companions up near a popular lovers' lane in Quartz Hill, California. Suddenly, their night is interrupted when the girls are kidnapped by a felon on the run in need of a getaway vehicle. For the next 12 hours, the girls endure a terrifying ordeal, as finding them safe and well becomes a race against time. But with law enforcement on the trail of the highly publicised kidnapping, it’s only a matter of time before the net closes in on the perpetrator. However, the sensational coverage of the case doesn’t end there. In episode 272, Jac and Alexis detail the shocking kidnap and assault of two young women at the hands of Roy Ratliff, and the incredible story of what happens when victims fight back to reclaim their voices in the aftermath of violent crime.

This week the girls and the ginger return with a chilled out episode of Killing Time. That’s right, we’re going off the rails this week. 2 Days post-Halloween, and we’re just embracing the hangover. On the stand this week: sleeping while sitting shotgun, knocking on doors at night, small talk while in a hurry, and early flights! Then! A worstie plays the blame game! Also, how is it November?

On March 13, 2020, 42-year-old Huong Helene Nguyen is reported missing to the New Orleans Police Department. By 8:10 p.m. that day, the authorities discover her body less than a mile from her home. Huong’s killer shot her multiple times, shoved her body into the trunk of her own car, drove the car to a remote parking lot, and abandoned it. Investigators interview Huong’s family members and friends, but it seems as though no strong leads turn up. A week later, on March 20, Huong’s funeral services are held. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only a limited number of Huong’s immediate family can attend. But Huong’s younger brother whom she lived with, 37-year-old Hoa Phong Nguyen, is conspicuously absent. Hours later, the NOPD announces that they have a warrant for Hoa’s arrest. He is being charged with his sister’s murder — and he’s on the run. In episode 271, Jac and Alexis examine the complicated path that the Nguyen family is forced to take as they navigate the physical and emotional loss of two children.

The girls and the ginger return for a VERY spooky edition of Killing Time! We’re diving into the ominous origins of everyone’s favorite holiday! But first! On the stand: eating at the gym, meme costumes, the 12 foot Home Depot skeleton, and hosting a non spooky event around Halloween. Then! Another worstie with some roommate retaliation. Can’t we all just get along? Happy Halloween!

On November 3rd of 1993, 31-year-old Rita Marie Tangredi’s body is discovered on Long Island’s East Patchogue. Her cause of death is determined to be blunt force trauma to the head and strangulation. Only 18 days later, 28-year-old Sandra Costilla is found in a nearby location and in a similar fashion. Two months later, 20-year-old Colleen McNamee’s body is recovered from a nearly identical crime scene, as well. All three women were beaten, raped, and strangled. For over 20 years, their families waited patiently as their loved ones’ cases became colder and colder. Finally, in 2014, 48-year-old John M. Bittrolff’s DNA is connected to the murder of two of these victims: Rita and Colleen. In episode 270, Jac and Alexis detail how the authorities tracked down a serial killer with advanced DNA technology and nine bags full of garbage.

Welcome back to Killing Time hosted by two girls one ginger! This week, we’re getting the rest of our wedding shenanigans out of our systems! That’s right, the last and final installment of us going on and on nitpicking nuptials. On the stand this week: blister bandaids, soliciting free photoshop services, giving up and eating American fast food abroad, and audibly saying “this is awkward” during conversation. Then! Join us for some wedding-related listener submitted on the stands!

On November 3rd of 1993, 31-year-old Rita Marie Tangredi’s body is discovered on Long Island’s East Patchogue. Her cause of death is determined to be blunt force trauma to the head and strangulation. Only 18 days later, 28-year-old Sandra Costilla is found in a nearby location and in a similar fashion. Two months later, 20-year-old Colleen McNamee’s body is recovered from a nearly identical crime scene, as well. All three women were beaten, raped, and strangled. For over 20 years, their families waited patiently as their loved ones’ cases became colder and colder. Finally, in 2014, 48-year-old John M. Bittrolff’s DNA is connected to the murder of two of these victims: Rita and Colleen. In episode 269, Jac and Alexis detail how the authorities tracked down a serial killer with advanced DNA technology and nine bags full of garbage.

This week the girls and the ginger return to round out their French festivity flashback with part two! We’re taking a break from our usual format and just ruminating on our favorite moments over the last couple of weeks. Nothing to put on the stand, and no worstie this week! Join us for a good old fashioned hang with friends!

At about 8:30 p.m. on October 18th of 2017, 32-year-old Kenneth Andrew White is going home after working at a construction site in Au Gres, Michigan. Sitting in the passenger seat of his colleague’s van, Kenneth and his coworker are only ten minutes away from their destination in Mt. Morris. Suddenly, a six-pound rock crashes through the front windshield. Kenneth is hit in the head and knocked unconscious. Shortly after, Kenneth is declared dead. Days later, investigators discover the culprits behind this deadly rock: five teenage boys from Clio, Michigan, aged 15 to 17. The group was known for throwing hard objects off highway overpasses for the purpose of causing vehicular damage. After years of controversial court proceedings, only one of the Clio Five would be sentenced as an adult. In episode 268, Jac and Alexis examine how five teenagers with no criminal history killed an innocent bystander through a dangerous “game.”

This week the girls and the ginger are back from France and ready to jump back into Killing Time! We’re breaking down our French festivities in part one of our wedding extravaganza recap! On the stand this week: ice and water, pillow allotments, and Etsy! Then Lex talks about her travel troubles and we get into the perils of partying in Paris! No worstie this week, we’ve got too much to talk about!

On April 17th of 1989, 31-year-old Cathy Marie Symanowski shoots and kills 38-year-old Robert “Lovvorn” Herren, Jr., with a semi-automatic rifle in Woodland, Alabama. Cathy met Lovvorn when he was hired by Cathy’s husband a few years earlier. At that time, Cathy and Lovvorn engaged in a short-lived romantic affair. Afterward, Lovvorn attempted to end his relationship with Cathy. In response, Cathy relentlessly stalked Lovvorn. In the spring of 1990, Cathy is convicted for murdering Lovvorn and sentenced to life in prison. In February of 2002, 45-year-old Cathy is released from prison on parole. Ten years later, in December of 2012, 54-year-old Cathy attempts to shoot and kill yet another one of her romantic partners: 68-year-old Gerald Eugene Palmer. Moments after this second murder attempt, Cathy dies by suicide. Miraculously, Gerald survives. In episode 267, Jac and Alexis explore the winding road that led one woman to hurt multiple men whom she claimed to love.

The girls and the ginger have returned once again! If you follow our Killing Time episodes, you know that we like to call ourselves the “half facts podcast”. Well not today! Jac did her research, and she’s here to add more wrinkles to all of our brains! On the stand this week: snoozing, insufficient condiment amounts, big weather, and cake! Then! A young worstie poaches a partner!

On September 14, 2007, a 52-year-old security guard is savagely beaten at his workplace in Cypress, California in the early hours of the morning and left for dead, later discovered by his co-workers. Everyone who knows the man, who has autism and passes away hours later, is shocked that something so violent could befall someone so gentle and unassuming. It’s clear the victim was fatally attacked during a burglary, but who could wish such grievous harm on someone just doing their job? At the same time, the net is closing in on the perpetrators, and it’s only a matter of time before everyone learns how the killer's paths collided with the victim. In episode 266, Jac and Alexis detail the callous murder of Michael Thomas Garry at the hands of David Joseph Zimmer and Sean Christopher Hodge, and how devastating being in the wrong place at the wrong time can be.

This week, the girls and the ginger return with a public brainstorm session. Each of us have to pitch a meeting for a television sitcom where we’re the main character. Alexis Nexus, Very Jeri, and Jac Vanek stars in My Way or the Highway. Anybody have a contact at Netflix? On the stand this week: truck nuts, Panera Bread, condiments sitting out at a restaurant, and TSA precheck! Then! A worstie cons a cheater!

On November 4, 2021, a 17-year-old high school senior is shot in the head at a residence in Yadkinville, North Carolina. It’s a gut-wrenching loss not just for the young woman’s family and friends, but her entire small community who are in mourning for the high achieving student. The shooter is immediately identified in an incident that appears to be a tragic accident. But as more information emerges about their history, the true picture of their prior behavior starts to paint an ugly picture. With these new details, the victim’s family hopes for a swift and just outcome, proportionate to the crime, not anticipating what was to come. In episode 265, Jac and Alexis detail the horrifying murder of Norah Rayne Smitherman at the hands of her friend Jace Allen, and how, when the full picture is not taken into account, those left behind are only left to suffer more anguish.

This week, the girls and the ginger are back, and we’re revisiting our childhoods. Specifically all the things we thought were going to be a much bigger problem in life. Quicksand, banana peels, DARE! On the stand this week: hanging shirts facing the same direction, felt hangers, doing things in direct sunlight, and variations of classic snacks! And then a worstie firstie by proxy!

On July 11, 2002, a 45-year-old man is gunned down in the doorway of his home in Bridgeport, Ohio. As far as local law enforcement is concerned, it’s a tragic home invasion gone wrong and nothing more. But all is not as it seems. And for a small town, identifying the perpetrator and their motive is not as straightforward as it should be. As the weeks, months, and years pass, conflicting and conflated accounts, and outright lies put forward by witnesses cloud the truth. The killer remains on the loose, their identity obscured. However years later, the fight to unravel the truth and bring the victim’s assailant to account is not only renewed, but far from over. In episode 264, Jac and Alexis detail the baffling unsolved murder of John Cornelius McGhee, and the strength and courage of his daughter Madison who refuses to give up on finding justice for her father over 20 years later.

This week the girls and the ginger are back! One thing we will not be talking about is how we wake up and tackle each and every day! Spoiler alert! It doesn’t matter! You do you! We WILL be taking more listener submitted questions though! Also, on the stand: sponges, dosages, mixed snacks, and street tacos served on flour tortillas! Then! A worstie with a story we’ve dubbed the toilet paper caper!

Late at night on Saturday, July 12th of 2008, 31-year-old Jacob Daniel Ethridge travelsto a section of Adams Avenue in Ogden, Utah, for the purpose of hiring a sex worker. There, Jacob meets 25-year-old Rosanna “Rosy” Marie Cruz. Jacob hires Rosy, accompanies her to an abandoned apartment building, and shoots her through the neck. Approximately 30 minutes later, as Jacob goes toward his vehicle to return home, Jacob meets 43-year-old Teresa Rene Tingey. Just as he had with Rosy, Jacob hires Teresa, travels with her to an isolated location, and executes her. When Jacob returns to his home in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 13th, he wakes his father and explains what he’s done. Together, the two men go to the police station where Jacob confesses. In episode 263, Jac and Alexis explore how a dangerous combination of anger issues, alcoholism, and psychotropic drugs could have contributed to one man making the decision to randomly murder two innocent women.

This week the girls and the ginger return with a true crime tangent! For some reason Jac wants to talk about beauty in relation to animals. I know. You’ll have to watch to find out. On the stand this week: eating in the bathroom, hogging weights at the gym, MOANING at the gym? And asking someone’s schedule without informing them why. Then! A worstie with some ingenious insurance insight.

On April 16, 2010, a 20-year-old man and his friend are on their way home when they pull a prank on a neighbor in Venice, Florida. Things quickly turn ugly - and deadly - when the unarmed young man is shot by his neighbor during what police describe as an altercation where the older man feared for his life. The victim’s family and friends are understandably devastated. But as news of the shooting ripples throughout the community, the public is outraged when they learn not only who the shooter is, but what transpires when his version of events isn’t as clear cut as everyone is led to believe. In episode 262, Jac and Alexis detail the shocking death of Tyler Spann at the hands of off duty deputy sheriff Carlos Verdoni, and the bigger question of how can we trust that the people employed to protect and serve us, won’t actually kill us instead?

It’s time yet again to ask a girl, ask a ginger! This week we’re taking phone call submissions and doing our dangdest to dole out advice most of you never asked for. On the stand this week: slurpees, close-sitting, and non-emergency siren usage! Then! A room-raiding worstie!

Late at night on Saturday, February 8th of 2020, 57-year-old Steve Ray Fason meets 22-year-old Sandra Marie Rappold for a discussion at his home in Bigelow, Arkansas. For weeks, Sandra has been hounding Steve by texting him, calling him, and showing up at his house uninvited. Sandra is convinced that Steve has committed crimes he had been acquitted of years ago. Finally, Steve decides to give Sandra what she wants: a conversation. The next day, Steve’s lifeless body is discovered at a neighboring business’s dumping grounds. Someone has stabbed Steve to death and burned his house down to destroy the evidence. When an anonymous tipster tells the authorities that Sandra is the culprit, Sandra immediately confesses to everything. Two months later, a second perpetrator is arrested. But, to this day, Steve’s family believes that more people were involved in Steve’s death. In episode 261, Jac and Alexis untangle the intimate relationships, alleged shady business dealings, and potential corruption surrounding the murder of Steve Fason.

This week the girls and the ginger are once again asking you to reach for those tinfoil hats and join us on our quest to find extra-terrestrials! We’re breaking down some of the interesting UFO news we’ve heard recently! On the stand this week: Incandescent bulbs, uber sermons, premature table-clearing, and gin martinis! Then! A worstie trashes the place!

In September of 2016, 33-year-old Phillip Brewer, 38-year-old Jody Fortuna, and 37-year-old Michael Montano gather at a bar in Gillette, Wyoming. Years ago, the three childhood friends grew up near the same small Wyoming town. At some points in their lives, these men considered themselves like brothers. Now, as adults, the three men spend time together whenever they can. Drinking beer, going on fishing trips, and spending time outdoors. They all appear successful, with good jobs and caring families. But, on this particular September night, things take a turn for the worse. The next day, Michael’s girlfriend frantically wakes him up. Something has happened—something bad. A month later, in October of 2016, Phillip and Jody’s dismembered bodies are discovered on Michael’s properties, and Michael is arrested for murdering his two close friends. In episode 260, Jac and Alexis break down the facts surrounding the heinous murders of childhood friends Phillip Brewer and Jody Fortuna

After a night of partying with friends, a 20-year-old college student goes missing just before sunrise. There are thousands of tips and theories, but scant evidence. Police hit a wall, but not before the investigation splinters into many directions: the boyfriend, the friends, convicted criminals, a local biker gang and a suspicious vehicle that could be key to cracking the case. What will it take to finally crack this case?

This week the girls and the ginger return for a little of this, a little of that. We’ve spent the last month or so on the road and dealing with the craziness of the LISK case, so this week we’re taking some time to fill everybody in on what we’ve been up to! On the stand: space probe names, wedge salads, sitting and looking, and handing the dinner bill to the man! Then! A worstie laughs in the face of authority!

On May 3, 2023, 911 is called to respond to a 4 year old boy in Portland, Oregon, who’s unconscious after suffering a seizure. But it’s clear to first responders and medical staff that the boy has suffered significant physical trauma and neglect resulting from abuse. The youngster sadly dies in hospital from his injuries, despite his family’s hopes he would recover and pull through. When police begin investigating how this tragedy has come to pass, the terrible truth quickly emerges. The alleged perpetrator has a complex background of their own which only adds to the heartbreak and confusion everyone in the victim's life is feeling. In episode 259, Jac and Alexis detail the sickening alleged murder of Jhorden Clay, whose young life was taken far too soon, sadly making him yet another statistic in a brutal crime which in so many ways was entirely preventable.

Strap in!! This week the girls and the ginger are seeking thrills! We’re talking about bizarre theme parks, and the many off-putting ideas people have come up with! Then! On the stand this week: forming a line, frogs as pets, holding the elevator, and gatekeeping local food! And finally, our worstie makes a key mistake.

On September 1, 2012, a 25-year-old man is gunned down in the driveway of his home in Warrensburg, Missouri. The college town is in a state of disbelief. The successful and beloved small business owner leaves behind devastated family, friends, and the wider college community in a senseless and seemingly random attack. When it’s revealed that more than one person is behind the slaying, and the perpetrators' identities are uncovered, the shockwaves continue, as the motive behind the killing emerges. But even after arrests are made, it’s far from over, with one of the accused managing to evade justice to this day. In episode 258, Jac and Alexis detail the brutal murder of Blaine Whitworth at the hands of his friends Ziyad Abid and Reginald Singletary, and how the people you have around you can sometimes be more dangerous than strangers.

This week the girls and the ginger are back and we’re seeing things. Or are we? We’re talking about Aphantasia!! Is it real? Do we have it? Do you?! Let’s find out! On the stand this week: showing up at a restaurant right before closing time, pulp, walkway etiquette, and awkwardly stopping elevator conversation. Then! A worstie with a special divorce delivery!

Since Rex Heuermann’s arrest on July 13th 2023, many people have come forward documenting bizarre encounters they have had with the alleged Gilgo Beach Killer. In todays episode, Alexis and Jac bring you the latest breaking news about the case, all told through the eyes of a woman named Nikki who got a little too close to comfort to the disgraced architect.

On June 28th of 1997, the dismembered torso of a young Black woman on Long Island, New York. The torso had several distinct marks, including a horizontal 6” scar that was likely indicative of a C-section and a small, heart-shaped peach tattoo. Due to this unique tattoo, this unidentified Jane Doe became known as “Peaches.” More of Peaches’ remains were discovered on April 11th of 2011, during a massive search of Long Island’s Gilgo Beach. This search began after Suffolk County officers accidentally discovered four female homicide victims and determined Gilgo Beach was a dumping ground for the still at-large Long Island Serial Killer. While combing Gilgo Beach, investigators also found the remains of an unidentified girl between the ages of one and four. She is widely known as Baby Doe, and was later found to be Peaches’ daughter. In this bonus episode, Jac and Alexis provide the known information about these two unnamed victims in the hopes of helping their identification process.

This week the girls and the ginger are breaking out those tinfoil hats yet again to dive into some quirky conspiracies. We’re talking CIA, John Lennon, and more! On the stand this round: speeding, listening to a band in the car after seeing them live, skipping the greeting at the register, and TIKI BARS! Then! A worstie tacks on an extra charge! Oh! The word of the day is FOIBLE.

Jac & Alexis are back to give you a real time update of the developments of Rex Heuermann’s arrest and details of his bail application request. They chat about his google search history, bizarre evidence being confiscated from his house, and the possibility of more killers connected to the case.

Rex Heuermann was charged on Friday July 13th in the Gilgo Beach murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello, all thought to be connected to the Long Island Serial Killer. Alexis and Jac are currently in New York, investigating the events unfolding in real time, and will be giving live updates in The First Degree podcast feed as they get them.

After the Gilgo Four victims were discovered in December of 2010, detectives are looking for more victims of the Long Island Serial Killer. So, in the spring of 2011, law enforcement officers conduct a massive search of Long Island’s Gilgo Beach and surrounding areas. On April 4th of 2011, two sets of human remains are found: Jane Doe #6, later identified as 24-year-old Valerie Mack, and the yet-to-be-identified Gilgo Beach Doe. Though Gilgo Beach Doe’s remains were skeletal, forensic experts determine that they were Asian, between 17 and 23 years old, 5’6” tall, missing several teeth, and may have had a musculoskeletal disorder that affected how they walked. For years, officials referred to Gilgo Beach Doe as “Unidentified Asian Male,” despite evidence suggesting that Gilgo Beach Doe was a transgender woman. In this episode, Jac and Alexis share all known information about Gilgo Beach Doe to spread awareness about the unsolved LISK case.

This week the girls and the ginger return with an epic recap of Jac and Jer’s bachelor/ette trip! What happens in Vegas apparently ends up on this podcast! On the stand this week: Saying “I don’t know who needs to hear this”, podcasts interrupted by map directions, double decker airplane seats, and dinner table intruders! Then! A worstie with a military-grade mistake! Enjoy!

On June 14, 2021, 911 is called to respond to the scene of an accident in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In a local river, a vehicle is submerged, the driver having lost control after leaving a nearby parking lot. Sadly, it’s too late for the 37 year old man, who drowns at the scene. But not everyone who knows the driver is convinced about what happened. There’s questions about how the vehicle ended up in the water, and some of those close to the victim feel something isn’t right, especially when the cause of the accident isn’t made clear. With people in the man’s life feeling confused and overwhelmed about the nature of his death, and their unanswered questions, things only become more intriguing. In episode 256, Jac and Alexis explore the age-old phenomenon of pseudocide, and why not everyone who suddenly loses someone close to them always gets closure.

Ever since she was a little girl, Maureen L. Brainard-Barnes had a generous heart. From stray kittens to down-on-their-luck friends, Maureen was happy to share her money, living space, and more with those in need—often leaving herself with little. Born and raised in the southeast corner of Connecticut, Maureen ended her academic career at age 16 when she realized she was pregnant with her first child. With no high school diploma, Maureen set her sights on becoming a model. In 2004, Maureen posted her photos on a supposed “modeling” website and, inadvertently, began her journey into sex work. By July of 2007, Maureen only did sex work part-time to make ends meet when her notorious generosity created financial hardship. In this episode, Jac and Alexis break down how the threat of eviction forced Maureen back into sex work and left her vulnerable to the still-at-large Long Island Serial Killer.

This week, the girls and the ginger have crawled their way back to the studio after July 4th shenanigans to bring you another episode of Killing Time! Today, we’re talking all things Pokemon Go! Misadventures by way of Pokemon hunting. Gotta catch em all! On the stand today: Going through people’s medicine cabinets, open-mouth wedding kisses, sneakers with jeans, and room temp food!! Then! A worstie pokes some holes, we’ll just leave it at that…

On March 1st of 2007, 46-year-old Richard “Doug” Douglas White prepares to close his small business for the day when two men enter his shop. The next day, Doug’s fiance, 44-year-old Dr. Brenda Kaye Covington, discovers Doug’s body. Doug has been beaten and shot multiple times. Over a year later, state prosecutors prepare for the trial of one of Doug’s alleged attackers, 21-year-old Marine A. Thompson. Suddenly, the case is mysteriously dropped. Apparently, a key witness who allegedly saw Marine and an unknown accomplice enter Doug’s business has vanished. Over a decade passes, and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office allows Doug’s case to go cold. However, local authorities confide in Doug’s fiance’s family that Doug was secretly embroiled in dangerous cocaine drug deals which may have cost him his life. In episode 255, Jac and Alexis explain why Doug’s friends and family need the search for justice to continue, despite Doug’s checkered past as a violent abuser.

On September 2nd of 2010, 27-year-old Amber Lynn Costello leaves her house to go meet a john for sex work. Her final words to her roommate as she leaves are, “If my sister calls, tell her I love her.” Three months later, Amber’s sister, Kim, hears the news that the human remains of four women matching Amber’s description have been discovered along Ocean Parkway on Long Island’s Gilgo Beach. When Kim submits her DNA, her worst fears are confirmed: Amber is one of the Gilgo Four and a victim of the Long Island Serial Killer. Before her death, Amber was a sensitive and caring woman caught in the destructive cycle of drug abuse. In this episode, Jac and Alexis shed light on Amber’s rich life and seek to understand how anyone could want to harm such a joyful person.

The girls and the ginger welcome you back for another week of Killing Time! This week, we’re taking to Reddit to analyze some stories on r/AmITheAsshole. Also! On the stand: not knowing your drink order at the bar, marriage licenses, bad acting on a good show, and cheese on a protein. And finally, a worstie commits a hit-and-run on her own sibling!!! WTF?

On July 29th of 1994 24-year-old Adrian Marshall was senselessly murdered. While there were early suspects, the leads fizzled out, which devastated Adrian’s parents. While the case went an unexpected call would breathe new life into the case more than 10 years later. While justice for Adrian seemed to be inching closer, the case was derailed in the 11th hour. On episode 254, Jac and Alexis speak candidly with the person who was closest to the main suspect- his wife at the time the murder occurred.