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 Gwinnett County, a teenager is gunned down outside a nightclub when he winds up at the center of a gang feud.
The episode was rated 6.15 from 13 votes.
When a young man goes missing in Tulsa, Okla., detectives must crack a family's code of silence in order to find him.
The episode was rated 7.00 from 11 votes.
When a young man is found executed in the street and a second victim is shot nearby, Tulsa detectives scramble to track down the dangerous gunman before he kills again.
The episode was rated 7.06 from 18 votes.
In Tulsa, Okla., a barrage of gunfire kills a man while he's sitting in his car, with his 2-year-old daughter in the back seat; an elderly Atlanta man is burned alive in a building fire suspected to be arson.
The episode was rated 7.27 from 51 votes.
In Mobile, Ala., a man who turned his life around is gunned down in cold blood; detectives need to know if his troubled past came back to haunt him.
The episode was rated 7.28 from 64 votes.
When a potential spree killer targets the most vulnerable in Tulsa, Okla., Detective Max Ryden must stop the murderer before he kills again.
The episode was rated 7.43 from 72 votes.
The First 48 episode "The Visitor" follows the investigation of a missing Atlanta man. His mother reported him missing and police soon find him dead in his bedroom, naked and shot twice. This mysterious crime starts off with many questions as to what happened to this man and why.
The detectives must work to piece together the evidence to solve the case and bring justice for the victim. As the investigation progresses, new leads take the detectives in different directions. They must follow all possible clues to determine who is responsible for the crime. With the help of witnesses, surveillance footage, and forensic evidence, the detectives strive to solve the case.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 17 votes.
