Best Episodes
Television's most popular true-crime series, investigating shocking cases and compelling real-life dramas with journalistic integrity and cutting-edge style. This in-depth approach has earned the program and its teams numerous awards including three Peabodys, 17 Emmys and five RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards.The program was revamped in 2002 when Lesley Stahl took over hosting duties from Dan Rather, and its name was changed to 48 Hours Investigates. The name was changed again to 48 Hours Mystery in 2004, and with its single-topic format, it does not use a single host but is narrated by the reporter assigned to the story.The current format of the documentary primarily deals with real life mysteries and crime stories, again with just one mystery per episode, owing to its single topic per show heritage.The program is not confined to reporting mysteries; CBS often uses the 48 Hours title or timeslot to present special reports on events, such as a 2006 report on the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, or coverage of the Virginia Tech massacre in April 2007. However, the relationship between these special programs and the rest of the series is essentially limited to the program's title.
Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 08, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
Did fashion icon Gianni Versace know his killer? A "48 Hours" investigation into the killing spree that ended his life in Miami 20 years ago. Richard Schlesinger reports.
The episode was rated 6.92 from 12 votes.
A Brooklyn woman turns to a New York private eye for help tracking down a Russian beauty she believes robbed and killed her mother. Can they find her? "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant investigates.
The episode was rated 6.93 from 27 votes.
"48 Hours" tracks down the accused killer of a decorated military pilot in Brazil -- will the United States get her sent back to face a jury?
The episode was rated 6.93 from 15 votes.
Was an Atlanta detective's investigation into an alleged rape and shooting death case influenced by cameras following her for a TV reality show? "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty investigates.
The episode was rated 6.95 from 20 votes.
Two friends convicted of rape claim neither did it. Their families stuck by them. Now, more than 20 years later, a new DNA test will change everything. Correspondent Maureen Maher investigates.
The episode was rated 7.00 from 23 votes.
A father dreams his daughter's been killed, then later she disappears. What does her boyfriend know and could the dad's nightmare have been real?
The episode was rated 7.07 from 30 votes.
When a woman vanishes and misses a hair appointment, her hairdresser becomes the driving force to find out -- did she leave her husband or is she dead? "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant investigates.
The episode was rated 7.10 from 10 votes.
48 HOURS gained unprecedented access inside the command center in Baytown, Texas, a suburb of Houston, as investigators searched for a beautiful young mother reported missing just before Hurricane Harvey hit.
The episode was rated 7.15 from 20 votes.
A psychiatrist is arrested -- did she try to brainwash her cousin to kill her ex-lover? '48 Hours' correspondent Peter Van Sant investigates.
The episode was rated 7.29 from 14 votes.
One woman, two husbands dead under strange circumstances - could she be that unlucky? "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty investigates.
The episode was rated 7.41 from 54 votes.
A retired UPS driver reveals new details about cult leader David Koresh and what led up to the deadly standoff with law enforcement nearly 25 years ago. "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant investigates.
The episode was rated 7.55 from 11 votes.
A suspect in a murder swears he didn’t do it – can his Fitbit prove he’s innocent? "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty investigates.
The episode was rated 7.60 from 10 votes.
A daughter hears her father's last words -- he was a former NYPD officer and bodyguard to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt -- can she help convict his killer? "48 Hours correspondent Erin Moriarty investigates.
The episode was rated 7.61 from 33 votes.
Accused of murder, a young woman’s life hangs in the balance. "48 Hours" goes behind the scenes with her lawyer and a forensic animator -- can they save her? CBS News correspondent Tracy Smith investigates.
The episode was rated 7.67 from 12 votes.
A 15-year-old runs away in search of love only to be held captive by a sex trafficker & Ashton Kutcher opens up about what he’s doing to stop kids from being exploited. CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller reports.
The episode was rated 7.73 from 11 votes.
