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 welder has vanished under very suspicious circumstances and Tulsa homicide gets the case. Detective Matt Frazier and the rest of the team suspect foul play as they dive deep into the mystery surrounding the man’s life.
The episode was rated 7.54 from 149 votes.
A killer viciously stabs a mother with a butcher knife in Tulsa, Okla.; a game of dominoes leads to gunfire, claiming the life of a beloved patriarch in Atlanta.
The episode was rated 7.56 from 71 votes.
In the season premiere, an Atlanta woman is strangled and the investigation unearths more potential crimes.
The episode was rated 7.60 from 252 votes.
When a young woman is executed on a street corner in Tulsa, investigator Nathan Schilling discovers her friends may be hiding information about the murder.
The episode was rated 7.61 from 161 votes.
A Tulsa, Okla., detective hunts a family of elusive criminals after a former Marine is fatally shot while trying to recover his stolen bicycle.
The episode was rated 7.62 from 81 votes.
A beloved uncle is killed when he attempts to help his niece leave her boyfriend; a man is randomly shot in front of his sister's house; a father of three is gunned down; a suspect on a bike executes a young man in broad daylight.
The episode was rated 7.63 from 52 votes.
A killer terrorizes Atlanta and investigators try to track him down.
The episode was rated 7.67 from 176 votes.
In Atlanta, a young father is gunned down by a brutal robbing crew and Detective Tracy Lewis discovers on her first case that she may be chasing the wrong suspect.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 156 votes.
When a young mother is found naked and strangled in her car, Tulsa Detective John Brown uncovers a dark obsession that may have turned deadly.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 72 votes.
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a young mother of four is found shot on the side of the road. Detectives' only clue is a photograph she took just moments before her murder.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 69 votes.
Police must wade through a web of secrets and lies when a man is found dead in his Tulsa, Okla., hotel room.
The episode was rated 7.74 from 144 votes.
The target of a drive-by shooting in Tulsa, Okla., walks away from the attack, while his girlfriend is not so fortunate; police uncover a long-simmering feud as they hunt for the killer.
The episode was rated 7.77 from 74 votes.
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a young mother of four is found shot on the side of the road. Detectives' only clue is a photograph she took just moments before her murder.
The episode was rated 7.85 from 55 votes.
The First 48 episode "Bad Tempered / The Bully" features a story based in Atlanta, Georgia and Tulsa, Oklahoma. In Atlanta, a caretaker is shot and killed after an argument with someone who held a grudge against him. In Tulsa, a young man dies tragically at the hands of a bully who went too far.
Both of these stories are tragic examples of how wrongdoings can come back to haunt us, even if we don't think they will. In the case of the caretaker, it's a reminder to keep our tempers in check, as even the smallest of arguments can turn deadly. In the case of the bully, it's a reminder that we should not take our frustrations out on others, as it can lead to devastating consequences.
The episode was rated 7.92 from 84 votes.
In the episode of "The First 48" titled "Down and Out / Room for the Night", Detective Rob Barrere investigates a case of three men meeting in a motel room in New Orleans East, resulting in one of them ending up dead. Meanwhile 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 starts off with Detective Barrere interviewing witnesses to understand what happened in the motel room. With the help of surveillance footage and other evidence, Detective Barrere is able to piece together that the three men had a physical altercation that resulted in one of them being killed.
In Tulsa, Detective Leatherman follows the trail of a man who was stabbed 21 times. Leatherman interviews witnesses and creates a timeline to understand what happened that night. With the help of surveillance footage and other evidence, Leatherman is able to determine that a night of drinking ended in a deadly altercation.
The episode follows the detectives as they investigate the cases and try to uncover the truth. With a combination of evidence, interviews, and careful investigation, the detectives are able to uncover the truth behind both cases and bring justice to the victims.
The episode was rated 9.17 from 12 votes.
