The First Degree

In May 2018, a 25-year-old woman suddenly disappears while living with a childhood friend in Grafton, New Hampshire. Her family immediately knows something is wrong, but for months, they are left searching for answers. Then investigators make a devastating discovery: a small piece of her dismembered body is recovered from a nearby pond. As her loved ones begin uncovering disturbing allegations about what she endured before her death, they push for those responsible to be held accountable. But years later, no one has ever been charged with her murder. In episode 416, Jac and Alexis examine the murder of Trish Haynes, the troubling allegations surrounding her final months, and her family’s ongoing fight for answers and justice.

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There’s a lot going on this week, so put those tin foil hats on. First, we’re discussing the new bizarre documentary Predators, and the impact Chris Hansen has had on the true crime world. Also, Chris Watts somehow is getting married, and Drake is buying a goth girl a house. Lastly, we know you don’t know who Desiree Townsend is now, but you will after you listen to today’s ep.

🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

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📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

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📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com
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In August 2017, a newlywed is found shot to death inside a hotel room in Athens, Georgia, while on a road trip with her husband. As investigators begin piecing together her final hours, they uncover text messages, surveillance footage, and other evidence that paint a disturbing picture of what happened. Yet despite a conviction, her story receives very little public attention, leaving many to remember the crime but not the woman at the center of it. In episode 415, Jac and Alexis examine the murder of Casey Woods Devanna, the evidence that led to her killer's conviction, and the life her friends want the world to remember.

🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

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📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

🕺 TikTok: tiktok.com/@thefirstdegreee

👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com
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Reddit is an endless archive of humanity’s most disturbing, bizarre, and deeply human stories. If you love The First Degree, you are going to love CRIMES OF REDDIT with Alexis and Sabrina Deana-Roga from Two Girls One Ghosts.

Every Tuesday, one host brings a set of true-crime stories while the other reacts in real time with no prep, no spoilers asking the questions on everyone’s mind. They swap roles each week, pulling at every thread until the whole twisted picture comes into view. It’s dark, it’s messy, and the scariest part is simple: THESE ARE STORIES POSTED BY REAL PEOPLE.

Follow CRIMES OF REDDIT for a new episode every Tuesday.

CRIMES OF REDDIT is a Crime House original powered by PAVE Studios.
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Today's episode is the Deep Dive x The First Degree Book Club crossover you didn't know you needed.

We're sitting down with bestselling author Tom O'Neill to talk about CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties.

What began as a routine magazine assignment became a twenty-year investigation that challenged the official narrative of the Manson murders and uncovered a web of unanswered questions surrounding law enforcement, MKUltra, and the turbulent world of the late 1960s.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Tom takes us behind the reporting, reflects on what he's learned since publishing the book, and revisits the evidence, theories, and unanswered questions that continue to fuel debate.

Whether you've read CHAOS cover to cover or you're just conspiracy-curious, buckle up... and, as always... hats on.

🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:

patreon.com/thefirstdegree

📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree

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👤 Facebook: facebook.com/thefirstdegree

📓 Substack: http://thefirstdegree.substack.com
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