Best Episodes
The First 48 is a hit true crime docu-series that follows detectives during the hours immediately following a homicide. It is available to watch on A&E and first aired back in 2004. After 24 seasons, The First 48 has created some unforgettable episodes. Below, we’ll be ranking the best episodes of The First 48 and why they have earned their spots on the list.
From the shocking twists and turns of the case, to the heartbreaking stories of the victims and their families, the show has created some truly moving and captivating episodes. Each episode is filled with intense moments that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
So, without further ado, let’s jump right into the ranking and see which episodes made the cut as the best of the best of The First 48.
Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 13, 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!
A Miami homicide team investigates the shooting death of a kindly father; a Dallas man is fatally shot in his sleep.
The episode was rated 7.07 from 14 votes.
Two friends are shot, then burned inside the trunk of a car
The episode was rated 7.08 from 37 votes.
In Miami, the homicide Unit's Team five works the murder of a hard working janitor, brutally stabbed to death in his own apartment. With no witnesses, they must rely on clues gathered at the crime seen to help then identify and track down their suspect. In Birmingham, Detective Chris Anderson investigates the murder of a man walking home after fixing a friend's car. With no physical evidence, Anderson gets help from the neighborhood to track down the suspect.
The episode was rated 7.09 from 47 votes.
In Miami, a young father is gunned down after a night of gambling. Detective Emiliano Tamayo has to figure out who would have killed him over twenty dollars. Then in Dallas, a child's birthday party turns deadly. The investigation becomes even more urgent when Detective Leo Gonzalez discovers the killer may be on the way to Mexico.
The episode was rated 7.09 from 58 votes.
Mike Smith and Walley Everett investigate the murder of a 23-year-old mother found burned in the backyard of an abandoned house.
The episode was rated 7.16 from 45 votes.
A Dallas grandfather is robbed and murdered in his bedroom; a drive-by shooting in Miami results in the death of an innocent young woman.
The episode was rated 7.21 from 33 votes.
An unarmed man is gunned down outside a bar; a woman is found bludgeoned to death in her apartment.
The episode was rated 7.23 from 39 votes.
In Dallas, a fight among school girls turns into a deadly home invasion. Then, an attempted car jacking in Cleveland leaves an innocent man shot dead.
The episode was rated 7.29 from 21 votes.
Two Dallas men on their way to visit family are gunned down; a police detective searches for a burglar who strangled a Cleveland preacher.
The episode was rated 7.29 from 14 votes.
Miami detectives hope that survivors of a shooting outside a corner store can identify the culprits; a Cleveland man is found strangled in his apartment, and police search for his friend and a motive.
The episode was rated 7.31 from 13 votes.
An out-of-state truck driver is found dead in the cab of his rig; Texas investigators probe the murder of an exotic dancer.
The episode was rated 7.35 from 46 votes.
An update on the case of an immigrant from Darfur who was shot and killed in his Louisville store during a robbery.
The episode was rated 7.39 from 31 votes.
An unarmed Miami man is shot in the back; three friends in Cleveland leave a party, but one of the group ends up dead.
The episode was rated 7.45 from 22 votes.
In Dallas, Detective Brian Tabor investigates the brutal stabbing of a man found in a vacant apartment. Now, detectives need a woman who may have lured him to his death, to come clean. Then in Birmingham, a wild gunfight leaves an innocent young man dead. Detective Jody Jacobs is on the hunt for two shooters and needs to determine who fired the first shot.
The episode was rated 7.53 from 43 votes.
The First 48 episode, "A Simple Plan/The Rip-Off" follows a murder investigation in Harris County, Texas, of a woman killed in front of her daughter during a home invasion. The episode also follows Dallas police as they investigate a teen who was trying to sell a gun. This episode of the show provides a look at the the complexity of criminal investigations, as the detectives must piece together evidence from multiple sources to determine who is responsible for the woman’s death.
This episode of The First 48 also emphasizes the importance of being aware of the risks associated with illegal activities. The Dallas teen, who was attempting to sell a gun, ran into serious trouble, and it serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in illegal activity. It also shows the lengths police officers go to in order to solve crimes and bring justice to families who have been affected.
The episode was rated 7.87 from 15 votes.
