The First 48

10 Best Episodes of The First 48 - Season 9

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!

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The First 48 - S9E9

#15 - Eye for an Eye/Dead End (Season 9 - Episode 9)

A young man is shot to death in the middle of the street in broad daylight; a teenager's body is found in the passenger seat of his car.

The episode was rated 7.34 from 32 votes.

The First 48 - S9E6

#14 - Smoke Screen/The Last Goodbye (Season 9 - Episode 6)

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A 28-year-old father is stabbed to death while at work; a 35-year-old man is shot to death in a bar bathroom.

The episode was rated 7.39 from 33 votes.

The First 48 - S9E1

#13 - Twist of Fate (Season 9 - Episode 1)

In Louisville, a community is outraged when a married couple is gunned down at home in front of their two young children. Det. Kevin Trees and the homicide team hit the streets hoping the community's strong reaction to the killing will trump the neighborhood's long-standing code of silence. Armed with expert interrogation techniques and a polygraph, Trees navigates his way through false leads and deceptive witnesses. As he works his way toward a suspect, the investigation takes a shocking turn.

The episode was rated 7.45 from 56 votes.

The First 48 - S9E10

#12 - Hale Storm (Season 9 - Episode 10)

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In Louisville, a sleeping family awakens to a barrage of bullets from a machine gun, leaving two young boys injured and a teenager dead. With no eyewitnesses, Detective Mickey Cohn must resort to old-fashioned detective work to solve one of the most brazen acts of violence he has ever seen.

The episode was rated 7.50 from 32 votes.

The First 48 - S9E8

#11 - Alias/Duel (Season 9 - Episode 8)

In Louisville, a murder hits close to home when Detective Rick Arnold learns that the victim of his most recent homicide case is the brother of a good friend. If Arnold is to track down the suspect, he needs to discern between lies and truth--and real names and aliases. In Harris County, a popular teenager is gunned down on a residential street. Deputy Cory Pool and his team must determine whether the shooting was self-defense--or murder.

The episode was rated 7.50 from 32 votes.

The First 48 - S9E5

#10 - Cut Down/9-1-1 (Season 9 - Episode 5)

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In Miami, Det. Rolando Garcia is investigating the shooting death of a local homeless man, known for looking after his fellow transient friends. As the case begins to unravel and witnesses give up information, Garcia learns that the victim's commendable behavior may have instigated his death. And in Louisville, after a minor injury, a woman makes a routine call to 911--the call becomes anything but routine when gunshots ring out in the background. When the smoke clears, the caller finds her boyfriend shot and killed. With information from the girlfriend, lead detective Leigh Maroni must now track down the man last seen with the victim and determine whether he is a witness or the potential killer.

The episode was rated 7.50 from 46 votes.

The First 48 - S9E3

#9 - Lost Highway/Out for Murda (Season 9 - Episode 3)

In Harris County, Sgt. Roger Wedgeworth investigates the gruesome murder of a homeless man found stabbed to death along Interstate 45. Without any witnesses or a motive, investigators race to find a suspect before the case goes cold. And in Louisville, Det. Scott Russ heads to a troubled housing project to investigate the murder of a young man--the prime suspect in a current double homicide case. Russ, faced with a community's unwavering policy of no snitching, must convince terrified witnesses to come forward and tell him what they know.

The episode was rated 7.53 from 38 votes.

The First 48 - S9E4

#8 - 10 Pounds (Season 9 - Episode 4)

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In Birmingham, Detective Chris Anderson returns to his childhood neighborhood to investigate the murder of a man killed over ten pounds of marijuana.

The episode was rated 7.53 from 43 votes.

The First 48 - S9E11

#7 - In Harm's Way/Jealous Rage (Season 9 - Episode 11)

In Harris County, Sgt. Craig Clopton and his team investigate the murder of man killed by a single gunshot while being robbed. With little evidence on the scene, they must rely on an eyewitness to help them identify their suspects. And in Birmingham, Det. John Tanks and the homicide unit work the murder of a mother of two, shot in the back outside of her car. When detectives break through the lies and deception of the sole witness, they are surprised to discover what may have triggered the shooting.

The episode was rated 7.57 from 28 votes.

The First 48 - S9E2

#6 - Body of Evidence (Season 9 - Episode 2)

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When dismembered body parts are found floating in Miami's Biscayne Bay, Det. Orlando Silva and the Miami homicide team work around the clock to solve one of the most brutal murders South Florida has ever seen.

The episode was rated 7.58 from 50 votes.

The First 48 - S9E16

#5 - Lost Highway/Out for Murda (Season 9 - Episode 16)

In Harris County, Sgt. Roger Wedgeworth investigates the gruesome murder of a homeless man found stabbed to death along Interstate 45. Without any witnesses or a motive, investigators race to find a suspect before the case goes cold. And in Louisville, Det. Scott Russ heads to a troubled housing project to investigate the murder of a young man--the prime suspect in a current double homicide case. Russ, faced with a community's unwavering policy of no snitching, must convince terrified witnesses to come forward and tell him what they know.

The episode was rated 7.70 from 10 votes.

The First 48 - S9E7

#4 - Straight Menace (Season 9 - Episode 7)

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Investigators believe a teenager who was shot to death outside a party was a victim of mistaken identity.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 27 votes.

The First 48 - S9E15

#3 - Body of Evidence (Season 9 - Episode 15)

The First 48 Body of Evidence follows Miami homicide detective Orlando Silva and his team as they investigate one of the most violent murders South Florida has ever seen. After body parts are discovered floating in Biscayne Bay, the team is determined to find the killer and bring them to justice. As the detectives search for clues, they must piece together the evidence to solve the case.

The team faces many challenges in their pursuit to uncover the truth. With a limited amount of witnesses and evidence, the detectives must think outside the box to capture the perpetrator. As the investigation continues, they must race against the clock to get justice for the victim and their family. With the help of their expertise and dedication, the team hopes to bring the killer to justice and provide closure to the victim's family.

The episode was rated 8.00 from 14 votes.

The First 48 - S9E14

#2 - Twist of Fate (Season 9 - Episode 14)

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The First 48's "Twist of Fate" episode follows Detectives Kevin Trees and the homicide team as they investigate a double-homicide of a married couple in the Louisville community. The incident has caused an uproar of anger in the neighborhood, and the detectives are hoping that the community's reaction to the crime will be enough to force witnesses to break the code of silence. Utilizing expert interrogation techniques and a polygraph test, Trees and his team work through false leads and deceptive witnesses in order to get closer to the suspect. As the investigation goes on, an unexpected twist occurs.

The First 48's "Twist of Fate" episode is a tense and thrilling hour of television as Detective Kevin Trees and his team investigate a double-homicide. The episode is packed with suspense as the detectives use their skills and resources to work through false leads and deceptive witnesses in order to get closer to the suspect. The episode takes an unexpected turn that keeps viewers guessing until the very end, making for a gripping and satisfying hour of television. It's a must-watch for any crime-drama fan and an exciting installment in the First 48 franchise.

The episode was rated 8.25 from 20 votes.

The First 48 - S9E17

#1 - 10 Pounds (Season 9 - Episode 17)

The First 48 episode 10 pounds follows Detective Chris Anderson as he returns to his childhood neighborhood to investigate a murder. The victim was killed over the possession of just ten pounds of marijuana. Detective Anderson has to figure out what led to the altercation between the victim and the suspect that resulted in the murder. He has to look through the evidence, speak with witnesses and uncover the truth.

The episode is filled with suspense and drama as the investigation takes its course. Detective Anderson interviews witnesses and suspects to try to piece together the events of the night. He also relies on evidence and surveillance footage to get closer to the truth. With the help of his fellow detectives, they are able to build a case against the suspect and eventually bring justice to the victim.

The episode was rated 8.27 from 15 votes.

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