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!
In Dallas, a man is found shot dead on his front porch, and the homicide team finds almost a million dollars in his home. Detective Rick Duggan must track down two suspects with a history of violence before they strike again.
The episode was rated 7.44 from 162 votes.
A police detective's first case as a lead involves hunting one of Ohio's most dangerous criminals; a New Orleans neighborhood remains silent following the daytime shooting of an innocent man.
The episode was rated 7.52 from 180 votes.
A New Orleans detective searches for a witness in the case of a woman who was killed in broad daylight.
The episode was rated 7.53 from 112 votes.
Detectives from Tennessee, Minnesota and Florida recall the crimes that proved to be the most challenging cases of their careers.
The episode was rated 7.53 from 109 votes.
Detective Rob Barrere investigates when three men meet in a motel room in New Orleans east, and one of them ends up dead; while in Tulsa, Detective Ronnie Leatherman catches the case of a man stabbed 21 times when a night of drinking ignites a murderous rage.
The episode was rated 7.53 from 107 votes.
In New Orleans, a man is ambushed in front of his grandmother's house. Detectives Jeffrey Vappie and Tim Bender suspect a woman close to the victim may have arranged the shooting, but they need hard evidence to prove it--and quickly, before it's too late.dealers.
The episode was rated 7.55 from 94 votes.
A man is found strangled to death in his car. The detectives working on the case, soon discover a secret relationship that may hold the key to who the killer is.
The episode was rated 7.55 from 146 votes.
In New Orleans, when a young mother is found beaten to death in her home, Detective Greg Johnson must fight to prove he has enough evidence against her killer, before he walks free.
The episode was rated 7.56 from 107 votes.
An Atlanta father is gunned down and a rookie detective tries to sort through lies and alibis to uncover the truth.
The episode was rated 7.57 from 108 votes.
A promising high-school senior is shot to death and stuffed into the trunk of his car a week before Christmas.
The episode was rated 7.58 from 128 votes.
An Atlanta father is gunned down and a rookie detective tries to sort through lies and alibis to uncover the truth.
The episode was rated 7.58 from 121 votes.
In New Orleans, when a woman is slashed to death, the investigation into her murder leads Detectives Chuck Ward and Rob Barrere to a house of horrors, and they discover the killer may be someone they least expected.
The episode was rated 7.64 from 103 votes.
New Orleans Detective Ryan Vaught investigates a gruesome and horrific murder: a grandmother and her four-year-old grandson shot in her bedroom, leaving the grandmother dead and the four-year-old struggling to survive.
The episode was rated 7.67 from 139 votes.
The brutal slayings of a mother and her two children send a New Orleans detective on the hunt for a suspect who may have been acquainted with the victims.
The episode was rated 7.69 from 264 votes.
A Cleveland man is shot in broad daylight; a man is shot in the head in Broward County, Fla.
The episode was rated 7.84 from 106 votes.
