The worst episodes of 48 Hours
Ranked by viewer rating, lows first. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
A wealthy Hollywood producer is accused of the brutal murder of his girlfriend. Was he following the plot of his frightening novel? Correspondent Maureen Maher investigates.
- 02
In her first report for 48 HOURS, CBS News contributor Maria Elena Salinas investigates the death of the student and the search for her killer.
- 03
The Day My Mother Never Came Home
For most of his life, Reggie Reed has wrestled with the question of who murdered his mother decades ago. A fresh look at the evidence ultimately implicated Reed's father Reginald Reed Sr., the man who raised him after his mother's tragic death.
- 04
A Texas town on edge -- someone was killing prosecutors. Was it a gang hit or could the killer be one of their own? Richard Schlesinger investigates.
- 05
48 Hours goes inside the Closs case, the extraordinary stories of other children found, and the the heartache of families with children still missing.
- 06
Erin Moriarty and 48 HOURS investigate the murder of DelTondo and the search for her killer in "What Happened to Rachael?" to be broadcast Saturday, May 18 (10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
- 07
Chasing Catherine Shelton (Part 1)
A journalist finds herself in a game of cat and mouse with a skilled former attorney dogged by mayhem and suspicions of murder. Why do bad things happen to the men in Catherine Shelton's life? Follow "48 Hours" contributor Jenna Jackson's quest for answers.
- 08
Chasing Catherine Shelton (Part 2)
Controversial Texas attorney Catherine Shelton, now disbarred, talks about her checkered past and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the deaths of various men in her life.
- 09
Terrorist attacks on Paris
- 10
The investigation into the murder of a successful Orlando businesswoman found dead in her bathtub reveals an out-of-control home renovation — and her husband's apparent secret life.
- 11
The Final Hours of Cayley Mandadi
Peter Van Sant and 48 HOURS provide the first in-depth look into the death of a beloved college cheerleader and the case against her boyfriend Mark Howerton.
- 12
Correspondent Jim Axelrod and 48 HOURS investigate the strange death of Amy Mullis and the case against her husband Todd Mullis.
- 13
Melissa Rocuba's Final Moments
A Pennsylvania man claims a freak accident while handling his gun caused the death of his wife, Melissa Rocuba. Bruno Rocuba was not arrested or charged with any crime. Years later, investigators uncover disturbing new evidence that challenges Bruno Rocuba's story, including surveillance audio capturing his wife's final moments. The recording raises haunting questions about what really happened in that bedroom and whether Melissa Rocuba's death was truly an accident. 48 HOURS correspondent Anne-Marie Green reports on the case in "Melissa Rocuba's Final Moments."
- 14
When Debe Atrops was murdered, her daughter, Rhianna Stephens, was just 8 months old. More than 30 years later, a cold case team from Washington County took a fresh look at the case by talking to witnesses and running new tests on old evidence. The team thought they had enough to prosecute Debe's estranged husband at the time of her murder, Bob Atrops, who is also Stephens' father. Stephens is convinced they have the wrong man – after losing her mother, she fears losing her father too.
- 15
The Sneak Attack on Katlyn Lyon
The investigation into Katlyn's death, which was initially reported as a medical emergency after her 4-year-old daughter found her unresponsive. Evidence soon revealed she had been strangled with phone charging cables in what prosecutors called a "cold-blooded and calculated" attack following a recent breakup.
- 16
A California police officer shot dead in his home -- his ex-wife admits she pulled the trigger. Did a photo posted on social media lead to the officer's death? 48 Hours' correspondent Erin Moriarty reports.
- 17
A mother fights for the truth behind her son's killing – captured on video. Ahmaud Arbery was jogging when he was chased and shot. CBS News correspondent Omar Villafranca reports.
- 18
Now, for the first time, the "other woman" in that love triangle speaks to 48 HOURS.
- 19
The Case Against Nicole Addimando
To some, Nicole ("Nikki") Addimando is a young mother who shot her abusive partner in self-defense when she feared he would take her life. To others, she is a murderer who took the life of Chris Grover, a father and popular gymnastics coach in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Now, 48 HOURS and correspondent Jericka Duncan investigate their relationship and the night Grover died in "The Case Against Nicole Addimando."
- 20
At just 18 years old, C.C. Opanowski survived a vicious attack by her ex-boyfriend, Shawn Doyle, a man she once trusted and loved. Doyle pleaded guilty to menacing in the second degree and was sentenced to three years' probation. Opanowski tried to put the traumatic incident behind her until she learned years later that Doyle murdered Lori Leonard, a mother of two young boys. Now, for the first time, Opanowski shares her powerful story with 48 HOURS, speaking out about the attack, her long road to healing and the strength it took to face her attacker in court. Correspondent Anne-Marie Green reports on a case that spans nearly three decades in "Facing a Monster."
- 21
On Dec. 23, 2023, police were called to a Texas home where two teenagers had been shot. Eighteen-year-old Ethan Riley died from his injuries, while 19-year-old Ben Bliek survived. Their friend, 17-year-old Connor Hilton, was arrested and later confessed to the shooting. Hilton and his parents sat down for an exclusive interview with 48 HOURS. He claims the shooting was triggered by a reaction to a popular prescription acne medication, saying it caused him to experience homicidal thoughts. Prosecutors, however, reject that explanation and say the evidence points elsewhere.
- 22
Sade Robinson and the Secret Beach
When a college student in Milwaukee vanishes after a first date, investigators race to retrace her final movements. Using data from an app on her phone, law enforcement begins to piece together where she went – and whom she was with. As the investigation focuses on a man named Maxwell Anderson, chilling security camera footage and evidence discovered on a secluded beach raise urgent questions about what happened to Sade Robinson. 48 HOURS correspondent Anne-Marie Green reports in "Sade Robinson and the Secret Beach."
- 23
When a woman's remains found in a swamp outside Savannah are identified, friends are stunned. They had been told Mindi Kassotis died in a hospital. But five months later, authorities say she was murdered. Investigators ultimately focus on her husband, Nick Kassotis, as they work to unravel how she appeared to die twice, and what really happened in the months between. 48 HOURS correspondent Erin Moriarty reports in "The Woman Who Died Twice."
- 24
Family members believe a young man's fascination with the a notorious Menendez brothers murder case led him to allegedly shoot his parents.
- 25
Rodney Alcala: The Killing Game
A photographer who was on "The Dating Game" became one of the nation's deadliest serial killers -- eight years after "48 Hours"' first report, new victims emerge.
Shows like 48 Hours
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Crime·MysteryThe worst episodes of Grantchester2014–2026·PBS Passport
Eavesdropping on the life of Sidney Chambers, a charismatic, charming, crime-fighting clergyman, and his partner in crime Police Inspector Geordie Keating, became a highlight for the audience who revelled in their on… - 02Drama·Crime·MysteryThe worst episodes of High Potential2024–present·ABC
High Potential follows Morgan, a single mom with an exceptional mind, whose unconventional knack for solving crimes leads to an unusual and unstoppable partnership with a by-the-book seasoned detective. - 03Drama·Crime·MysteryThe worst episodes of Castle2009–2016·ABC
Castle follows Rick Castle who is one of the world's most successful crime authors. - 04Drama·Crime·MysteryThe worst episodes of The Mentalist2008–2015Same network — CBS·
- 05Drama·Crime·MysteryThe worst episodes of Elementary2012–2019Same network — CBS·
- 06Drama·Crime·MysteryThe worst episodes of Dexter2006–2013·Paramount+ with Showtime
He's smart, he's good looking, and he's got a great sense of humor.
