The BEST episodes of 48 Hours season 17
Every episode of 48 Hours season 17, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of 48 Hours season 17!
Television's most popular true-crime series, investigating shocking cases and compelling real-life dramas with journalistic integrity and cutting-edge style.
#1 - The Other Woman
Season 17 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/7/2004
A prominent Mississippi heart surgeon dies under mysterious circumstances. In the sleepy Bible Belt town of Hattiesburg, what happened to Dr. David Stephens turned out to be the stuff that scandals are made of. His wife said he probably killed himself, but she was arrested for murder. 48 Hours' investigation with Correspondent Harold Dow takes us inside the operating rooms, courtrooms - and the bedrooms - of a town where "everybody knows your name." It's a classic tale of infidelity, gossip, tragedy - and possibly even murder.
Watch Now:Amazon#2 - Murder in the Hamptons
Season 17 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/11/2004
Wall Street tycoon Ted Ammon, who was embroiled in a bitter divorce with his wife, Generosa, was murdered at their sprawling East Hampton, Long Island estate in October 2001. Correspondent Richard Schlesinger has an extensive interview with Danny Pelosi -- the home contractor who had an affair with Generosa, married her shortly after Ammon's death and became a prime suspect in the murder. Schlesinger also speaks to Pelosi's sister, Barbara Lukert, prosecutor Janet Albertson and Generosa's cousin, Al Legaye.
Watch Now:Amazon#3 - Right or Wrong
Season 17 - Episode 28 - Aired 4/24/2004
It's hard to say what's most horrifying: How Jeff Wright was killed, who killed him, or why she says she did it. The woman accused of committing murder is Jeff's wife, Susan, 27, a stay-at-home mother of two. "I did not want to die," says Susan, who now faces life in prison. "This was a brutal, terrifying, sadistic relationship that spanned years," says Susan's attorney, Neil Davis. Susan Wright stabbed her husband 193 times. And Davis says he believes that Susan's husband, Jeff Wright, triggered the attack that ended his life: "I hate to say it, but some people just deserve killing." That's how a lot of Texas lawyers interpret self defense. But what makes this case different is that Susan and her lawyers are saying it on the record. "She had to kill or be killed," says Davis. Correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports.
#4 - Tacoma Confidential
Season 17 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/27/2003
For a lot of people in the Pacific Northwest, Gig Harbor is synonymous with the good life. It's a place where local detective Dave Crocker doesn't concern himself too much with violent crime. There's been only one murder here in 60 years. At least that's what people thought before April 2003. What happened in Gig Harbor would not only shake up things in this quaint little town, but also have major repercussions across the bridge in Tacoma, Wash., a big city filled with a lot of dark, little secrets. Correspondent Bill Lagatutta reports.
#5 - The Law and Mrs. Shelton
Season 17 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/29/2003
Strange things have happened to the men in Catherine Shelton's life. Her husband was convicted of murdering the spouse of one of her former employees. Was she involved? One thing almost everyone agrees on is that this Texas lawyer is very smart, and she's mastered using the law in her own defense. Last fall, Correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports on this story of murder and betrayal.
#6 - Robert Blake's Real Life Drama
Season 17 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/12/2003
The last time America saw actor Robert Blake, he was locked up in the L.A. County Jail. But last March, after 11 months in solitary confinement, Blake was set free on bail. These days, his life is much sweeter, and he's looking much better -- even though he has to wear an ankle bracelet. Correspondent Peter Van Sant reports. Blake granted a 48 Hours producer and camera crew exclusive access into the Malibu condominium where he's living. He would not sit for a formal interview, but he gave 48 Hours a look into what his life is like as he awaits his murder trial.
#7 - Who Killed the Prosecutor?
Season 17 - Episode 18 - Aired 1/28/2004
Assistant District Attorney Steve Tauzer had a reputation for seeking justice, and for reaching out to people -- to make things right. On Sept. 15 2002, Tauzer, who had been Kern County assistant district attorney for almost 20 years, was found dead in his garage. He had been stabbed repeatedly in the head. Correspondent Erin Moriarty reports on the shocking, brutal murder of a man whom nearly every cop and lawyer in Bakersfield, Calif., knew and respected.
#8 - Prime Suspect: Billy Fox
Season 17 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/14/2004
Billy Fox, 33, is a devoted father of two and a soccer coach. He appears to be an all-around regular guy from Wichita Falls, Texas, with full custody of his children, Skylar and James. But now, he's about to turn himself into the police, as they book him for the death of a baby. It's a charge that could put him in prison for the rest of his life. "What attracted me so much to Billy is what a wonderful father he was," says Billy's girlfriend, Cassie Herring, who first met Billy in 2000 -- just a few years after his divorce. At the time, Cassie was raising two children of her own: Peyton was 2 and Cameron was a newborn. In a matter of months, they all were under one roof. But in less than six months, startling events would shatter this new family. Correspondent Susan Spencer reports.
#9 - Driven To Extremes
Season 17 - Episode 29 - Aired 4/28/2004
In August 2000, Dennis and Mary Hill lost their 13-year-old daughter, Amy, in a tragic car accident. "I just see how hollow my life is now," says Dennis. "And I never thought I would experience that in my lifetime." "I believe the reason I was put on this Earth was to have Amy," says Mary. Before the accident, the Hills appeared to be living the extremely good life outside Orlando, Fla. They owned a successful marketing business, lived in a stately home, and their daughters, Amy and Kaitlin, were excelling in and out of school. On Aug. 7, 2000, Mary and Dennis went to pick their daughter Amy up from her first day of eighth grade. With her were best friends Carrie Brown and Zak Rockwell. The three were inseparable. On the way home, Dennis told Mary he needed to make a stop. Mary drove off with the three kids in the back seat. Everything would change during the next few minutes. Correspondent Peter Van Sant reports on how this seven-mile trip home from school ended in tragedy.
#10 - Dangerous Extremes
Season 17 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/29/2003
When John Melillo met Pat in high school, he says she was the prettiest girl he ever saw. The couple, who've been living the good life in Long Island, N.Y., have been married 36 years and now have two children, Bret and Beth. Pat, who is 5'4" and weighed 110 pounds, began suffering from stomach problems five years ago. When her doctor recommended a low fat diet, Pat took his advice to a dangerous extreme – and went on a diet that spiraled out of control. Correspondent Peter Van Sant reports on her story.
#11 - Young, Rich and Powerful II
Season 17 - Episode 33 - Aired 6/4/2004
Interviews with Hollywood's young, rich and powerful include Scarlett Johansson, Lindsay Lohan, Mandy Moore, Shia LeBoeuf and former Brat Pack members Molly Ringwald and Jon Cryer.
#12 - The Homecoming
Season 17 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/10/2003
Few drawn to the military ever envision ending their tours at Andrews Air Force base - where three nights a week, with no honor guard or fanfare or publicity, the wounded come home, an often forgotten cost of war. So far, more than 4,500 soldiers have been injured – most of them since the president declared the end of major combat. Correspondent Susan Spencer has the story of three of those young men - Robert Acosta, Alan Lewis and Dave Pettigrew - whose lives were torn by war and rescued from the battlefield.
#13 - Without Warning, Chaos
Season 17 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/17/2003
It was the first really warm summer night in Chicago's Lincoln Park, and a group of kids, most just out of college, were looking to make the most of it. The bars and restaurants were packed, and if you weren't out on the town, then you were likely to be partying out on the back porch of one of thousands of old row homes or apartment buildings in the area. On June 29, 2003, there was only one party to be at – a two-story bash thrown by a group of young professionals who lived there. "It was a good atmosphere," recalls pediatric nurse Katie Main. "There was a really great group of people." But in less than 10 seconds, the carefree party would turn into chaos -- and 13 people wouldn't get out alive. Correspondent Maureen Maher reports.
#14 - Air Sunshine: Flying into Danger
Season 17 - Episode 14 - Aired 12/17/2003
July 13, 2003, was a perfect day to fly. At 2:30 in the afternoon, five adults and four children boarded Air Sunshine flight 502 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., en route to Abaco Island in the Bahamas. But this hour-long flight would take a tragic turn. Correspondent Troy Roberts reports.
#15 - It's Just Sex
Season 17 - Episode 17 - Aired 1/21/2004
A recent study by Time magazine points to the long-term benefits of an active sex life, including a stronger immune system, less chance of depression and perhaps even increased longevity. Modern medicine is pushing the limits like never before. 48 Hours Investigates examines the latest developments on the landscape: new prescription nasal sprays, pills and creams to help men in the bedroom; older women dating younger men; a senior citizen's sexual journey; tips on how to put sex back into a sex-starved marriage. Correspondent Bill Lagattuta reports from the front of the ongoing battle against erectile dysfunction. The latest "weapons" include a newly approved prescription pill called Cialis, playfully known as "the weekender" because it can be effective for up to 36 hours. Another pill, called Levitra, on the market for only a few months, is already competing with the erectile dysfunction champ, Viagra.
#16 - Trapped
Season 17 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/25/2004
48 Hours Investigates takes a serious look at people who believe they were born in the wrong body and take drastic steps to change their sex. The scientific term for this condition is gender identity disorder. Contributing Correspondent Maureen Maher speaks to Kayla, an 11-year-old girl who is convinced she should have been born a boy. Last year, Kayla made some drastic changes: a new haircut, a new school and even a new name. Also in the hour, Jenny Boylan, a respected college professor and author from Maine who was once known as James, speaks to Correspondent Susan Spencer about becoming a woman at age 40, and how it has affected her children, her wife, her colleagues and friends. Correspondent Troy Roberts interviews Jennifer Edwards, a 47-year-old from Oldsmar, Fla., who elected to undergo sexual reassignment surgery. 48 Hours Investigates follows Jennifer through the yearlong process, which proves to be extremely challenging both physically and psychologically. There are now dozens of doctors in the U.S. who perform this kind of surgery, usually on men who want to become women.
#17 - Mystery in Paradise
Season 17 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/12/2004
In March of 2002, Randy was about to launch a marketing blitz for his rum company during a popular Easter weekend festival held on the island. When the festival ended, Randy planned to travel to the United States and celebrate Easter with his family in upstate New York. But that Easter morning, Vince found an ominous message on his cell phone. "It said, 'This is a neighbor of Randy's in Roatan. Something has happened and you need to contact us as soon as possible,'" recalls Vince. Randy's sister, Megan, picked up the phone and immediately placed a call to Roatan: "I said, 'I'm calling from the U.S. I need to speak to my brother.' He said, 'You can't.'" That, Vince says, started a day of nightmare. Correspondent Troy Roberts reports.
#18 - Caged Kids
Season 17 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/31/2004
"Caged Kids" examines how the criminal justice system handles minors who are tried as adults for hard crimes ranging from armed robbery to murder. Many questions will be raised in the broadcast including: Have these young people served enough time? Should they have been tried as adults in the first place? Do they understand what they did wrong? And, do they deserve a second chance?
#19 - Prime Suspect: Marty Tankleff
Season 17 - Episode 25 - Aired 4/7/2004
Marty Tankleff, 18, was convicted of murdering his parents in 1990. And for the last 14 years, Marty's family has fought to clear his name. But now, Marty's family may have found the man who can free him. Correspondent Erin Moriarty reports.
#20 - Dangerous Minds
Season 17 - Episode 26 - Aired 4/14/2004
At Mepham High School on Long Island, the entire football season was canceled after players admitted to sadistically hazing fellow teammates. Once rated one of the best academic high schools in the nation, Mepham High is now mired in scandal. Correspondent Peter Van Sant reports.
#21 - Diana's Secrets
Season 17 - Episode 27 - Aired 4/21/2004
In life, it was Princess Diana's vibrancy and glamour that captured the world's attention. Today, it is the mystery surrounding her death. Correspondent Erin Moriarty reports. "She was convinced she was going to be killed," says Diana's old friend, Argentinean businessman Roberto Deverik, who recalls Diana often speaking of murderous plots against her. "She said, 'When it's not convenient anymore, I will-- they will blow me in a car or in a helicopter.'" The questions and puzzles remain nearly seven years after Diana's tragic death in a Paris tunnel. Billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed has relentlessly accused the British government of orchestrating the death of Princess Diana, and his son, Dodi. Al Fayed, who has refused numerous requests to talk to 48 Hours, believes that his son and Diana were killed in order to prevent the princess from marrying his son, a Muslim, and having his child. Conspiracy theories continued because the details of the French probe into the accident were never made public. But 48 Hours has obtained a report produced by the French government that was never made public until now. The report contains thousands of pages of confidential police documents, scientific analysis and images that tell what really happened to Princess Diana, beginning with the night she died.
#22 - Legal Challenges in the Spotlight
Season 17 - Episode 32 - Aired 6/2/2004
Scott Peterson: What evidence do prosecutors have linking Scott Peterson to the murders of his wife and unborn son, and will the jury buy it? Attorney Chris Darden, who gained fame as a member of the prosecution team during the O.J. Simpson criminal trial, talks to CBS News Correspondent Erin Moriarty about the challenges ahead for both sides in the case. A Michael Jackson Conspiracy: In a new April 21, 2004, indictment against Michael Jackson, prosecutors charge the singer conspired to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion to keep his alleged victim and his family quiet. Was there a conspiracy within Jackson's inner circle to cover up his alleged crimes? Correspondent Bill Lagattuta speaks exclusively about the new charges with Jackson's new attorney, Tom Mesereau, and Jackson photographer Ian Barkley. The Jury Counsultants: In the brave new world of high-stakes, high-profile trial preparation, the people running the show are not the lawyers, but rather jury consultants. Correspondent Troy Roberts reports.
#23 - Heavy Burden: Eat It Raw
Season 17 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/22/2003
Is a green liquid, which looks a lot like pond scum, the miracle we've all been searching for? A way to live longer and lose weight? Stephanie Keys found out. "I'm heavier now than I've ever been in my entire life," said Keys, who lives in Los Angeles. "So that's why I'm giving this 21 days and trying it out." Like a lot of women, this busy mother of two is watching her weight. A former Revlon model, she'd tried all the diets. So, she decided to try something new called "detoxing." Correspondent Bill Lagattuta reports on this health craze.
#24 - Twist of Fate
Season 17 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/15/2003
Adriana Scott was adopted from Mexico when she was just weeks old. While growing up on Long Island, N.Y., she noticed that she looked nothing like her cousins. She had no idea why she excelled at certain things. "I'm very into music and into dancing," she says. "My family's not like that, really." And she always believed her quirks were hers alone: "Nothing like, 'Oh, I got this from my mom, or I got this from my dad.' It's kind of just been like me." But what she didn't know was that she had an identical twin sister who lived just miles away in New York City. Correspondent Lesley Stahl reported on their remarkable reunion.
#25 - The Secret Life of Eric Wright
Season 17 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/8/2003
For 12 years, Kathi Spiars gave her heart to a man she first knew as Steve Marcum. She was intrigued by his mysterious past – a past that included time spent as a hitman for the CIA. But then, his stories began to unravel, revealing a lifetime of lies. Even his name was a fraud. Steve Marcum was really Eric Wright. But when Kathi was finally forced to confront the truth about the man she loved, she began a frightening journey, digging into his dark past. Correspondent Susan Spencer reports.