The First 48

10 Best Episodes of The First 48 - Season 2

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!

Advertisement
The First 48 - S2E13

#13 - Deadly Attraction (Season 2 - Episode 13)

LOCATION: MIAMI In his final case as a homicide investigator, Sgt. Joe Schillaci teams up with Dets. Mayree Morin and Olga Rome to solve a baffling murder of a man found murdered in his bed. Schillaci and his team soon learn the killer may be a worker for a traveling carnival. They must enter into a murky and dangerous world of carnies.

The episode was rated 7.21 from 38 votes.

The First 48 - S2E9

#12 - Twisted Honor/Vultures (Season 2 - Episode 9)

Advertisement

In Phoenix, Det. Dave Barnes must track down desperate lovers on the lam to solve a savage shotgun murder. And in San Antonio, Det. Tom Froelick and his team find a body of a woman in a wooded area and learn that she was last seen alive with a mysterious stranger.

The episode was rated 7.22 from 45 votes.

The First 48 - S2E4

#11 - Hunt for Teeth / Coyote Blue (Season 2 - Episode 4)

In Kansas City, KS, Capt. John Cosgrove and his team of homicide detectives must track down a man suspected of beating his best friend to death with a cinder block--before he can flee the country; Dets. Greg Lawson and Mike York are hot on the trail of their murder suspect they know only as "Teeth."

The episode was rated 7.42 from 66 votes.

The First 48 - S2E10

#10 - Devil's Candy (Season 2 - Episode 10)

Advertisement

Your past does not always stay in the past, as Sgt. Schillaci realizes as he is forced to go undercover to find a killer and prevent the deaths of futher victims.

The episode was rated 7.43 from 49 votes.

The First 48 - S2E7

#9 - Roadside Burning/Blood Ties (Season 2 - Episode 7)

A body found on fire by the side of the Highway leads the police to investigate the victim's secret life. Meanwhile, the secrets of a Mexican migrant worker unfold as the police investigate.

The episode was rated 7.52 from 50 votes.

The First 48 - S2E8

#8 - Silence in the Grove/Show Stopper (Season 2 - Episode 8)

Advertisement

Shots are fired in Coconut Grove and three of the four men inside a car are killed. Sgt Joe Schillaci is taked with solving this near impossible mystery. In Showstopper, Det Emillano Tamayo and his rookie partner Det. Kevin Ruggerio are assigned to a case of the death of a local celebrity where the only clue is a missing cell phone.

The episode was rated 7.58 from 53 votes.

The First 48 - S2E2

#7 - Murder on the Interstate/House of Santeria (Season 2 - Episode 2)

LOCATION: MIAMI In Miami, homicide Sgt. Joe Schillaci and his squad must solve a murder of an innocent college student during a hectic Memorial Day weekend; and Sgt. Carlos De Los Santos and his team tackle a murder of a doctor found hogtied in his house and learn that the key to the case may lie with the voodoo-like Santeria shrines found at the crime scene.

The episode was rated 7.63 from 81 votes.

The First 48 - S2E5

#6 - Downstream Drifter/Murder in Room 162 (Season 2 - Episode 5)

Advertisement

LOCATION: SAN ANTONIO / PHOENIX In San Antonio, TX, Detective Timm Angell and his partners find a nameless man beaten to death floating in a creek; they must race to identify the victim and find anyone who may have known him. And in Phoenix, Detective Mike Polk and his team painstakingly reconstruct the final hours of a man found dead hogtied in a hotel room; the case takes a dramatic turn when they learn the killers may have been captured by the hotel's surveillance cameras.

The episode was rated 7.70 from 63 votes.

The First 48 - S2E6

#5 - Deadly Betrayal (Season 2 - Episode 6)

The First 48 episode "Deadly Betrayal" follows Sgt. Joe Schillaci and Det. Olga Rome as they investigate the murder of the owner of a popular strip club in Miami. With a looming hurricane threatening the city, they must work quickly to solve the case. The surveillance video reveals three men ambushing the victim, leading Schillaci and Rome to the conclusion that the murder was an inside job, with the victim being betrayed by someone he trusted. With the clock ticking, the pair must do their best to catch the killers before the hurricane halts their investigation.

This episode of The First 48 promises to be an exciting one, as Schillaci and Rome must fight against time and the elements to solve the case. With the hurricane looming, the detectives must work smarter, not harder, to make sure justice is served. With the surveillance video providing a valuable clue, the detectives must piece together the clues to find out who betrayed the victim and why. This episode of The First 48 is sure to be a nail-biter, as the detectives race against time to catch the killers and bring them to justice.

The episode was rated 7.77 from 57 votes.

The First 48 - S2E11

#4 - Fallen/Texas Burning (Season 2 - Episode 11)

Advertisement

The First 48’s episode “Fallen/Texas Burning” follows detectives as they investigate two separate murder cases. In both cases, the victims are found in different locations, so detectives must determine if the same suspect is responsible for both murders. This investigation is made even more difficult when they find that the suspect may have been a victim themselves.

The episode follows the detectives as they work to uncover the truth behind both cases. They will have to determine whether the suspect is a killer or a victim, and if they can find a connection between the two murders. With the help of forensic evidence and witness statements, they will have to piece together the puzzle in order to find the truth.

The episode was rated 7.83 from 41 votes.

The First 48 - S2E12

#3 - Murder in the Driveway/Double Shooting in the Beans (Season 2 - Episode 12)

The First 48 presents a gripping account of two cases of murder in Miami, Florida. In the first case, Detective Ervens Ford and his team investigate the shooting of a young man in Little Haiti. Suspicions point to a member of a notorious gang, and the detectives must act quickly to apprehend the suspect before he is able to flee the country.

In the second case, Sergeant Pepi Granado and Detective Freddy Ponce are tasked with solving the brutal shooting of two teenagers in the Pork-n-Beans project. With the help of a witness, the detectives must uncover the truth behind the murders and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The episode was rated 7.90 from 42 votes.

The First 48 - S2E3

#2 - Hostile Takeover/Shot in the Back (Season 2 - Episode 3)

Advertisement

The First 48's episode "Hostile Takeover/Shot in the Back" follows two separate investigations in Miami and Dallas. In Miami, a young man is found dead next to a high-rise and Sgt. Joe Schillaci discovers signs of a struggle on the victim's body. It turns out that the man was seen with a mysterious woman just hours before his death, but she has since disappeared. Detectives in Dallas, meanwhile, find two burned up bodies in opposite sides of town on the same night. During their investigation, they uncover a bloody motel room that could be the murder scene.

This episode of The First 48 is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats as the two investigations unfold. In Miami, detectives must determine whether the mysterious woman is the killer or a victim. In Dallas, they must figure out if the two victims were killed by the same person. With two cases to investigate, viewers can be sure that this episode is full of suspense and mystery.

The episode was rated 7.92 from 63 votes.

The First 48 - S2E1

#1 - A Serial Killer Calls (Season 2 - Episode 1)

The First 48's episode A Serial Killer Calls follows the Homicide detectives of Sgt. Doug Niemeier as they engage in a deadly game of hide and seek with a serial killer who has been calling 911 to direct them to his hidden victims around Kansas City. As the detectives rush to stop this elusive killer before he strikes again, they must balance the pursuit of justice with the challenge of the unknown.

The episode highlights the complex and often dangerous work that goes into solving a murder mystery. The detectives must rely on their skills and experience to find the killer before he carries out any more of his sinister plans. With the lives of innocent people at stake, Sgt. Niemeier and his team must work tirelessly to bring the killer to justice. The episode offers a thrilling yet sobering glimpse into the world of homicide investigation and the risks that come with it.

The episode was rated 7.96 from 95 votes.

Latest articles

Search for TV shows...

About Series with Sophie

Welcome to our community!

We are a community of women who are passionate about our favorite series and want to share that passion with others.

Our mission is to create a space where women can discover new content, connect with like-minded individuals, and engage in meaningful discussions about the series we love.

We believe that everyone should have access to reliable and trustworthy information about their favorite shows, and we strive to be the premier destination for women seeking that information. Whether you're looking for recaps, fan theories, or just want to connect with other fans, we've got you covered.

So join us and be a part of our growing community of series enthusiasts!