The WORST episodes of 48 Hours
Every episode of 48 Hours ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of 48 Hours!
Television's most popular true-crime series, investigating shocking cases and compelling real-life dramas with journalistic integrity and cutting-edge style.
#1 - The Profiler
Season 16 - Episode 42 - Aired 9/16/2003
A 33-year-old woman called "Karen" says there is a man out there who wants to kill her. "I still to this day wonder ,"Why me?'," she says. "The only way I will ever get my life back is if he's in jail." Over the last year and a half, she's told police that he's already viciously attacked her – not once, but three times. What's scariest for Karen is that he's a stranger - she has no idea who he is or whether he'll be back. The case has Karen terrified, and the police in two Oregon towns absolutely baffled. "In my 12 years experience, I've had nothing like this before," says Det. Larry Braaksma, with the Tualatin Police Department. With no witnesses to any of the attacks, police are left with little more than the bizarre details provided by Karen, the stalker's only known victim. And they're getting worried, because each attack seems to be more violent than the last. Correspondent Erin Moriarty reports.
#2 - 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.
#3 - 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.
Watch Now:Apple TV#4 - 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.
#5 - 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.
#6 - 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.
Watch Now:Apple TV#7 - 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.
#8 - 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.
#9 - It's a Big Country
Season 17 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/1/2003
Profiles of country stars Reba McIntire, Shania Twain, Brooks & Dunn and Kenny Chesney.
#10 - What's Love Got to Do with It?
Season 17 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/11/2003
Robert Epstein, a 49-year-old bachelor and Harvard-trained psychology professor, is determined to fall in love - deep love, even married love - and even if it's with a stranger. But stranger still is how he plans to do it. Epstein, an editor at Psychology Today, has devised what he claims is a scientific experiment, designed to teach two people to fall in love, and make that love last. Correspondent Bill Lagattuta reports.
#11 - Kobe Bryant: Full Court Press
Season 17 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/4/2003
"There is no doubt in my mind that she has been taken advantage of by Kobe Bryant. There is no doubt in my mind that Kobe Bryant raped my friend," says JohnRay Strickland, who is talking to 48 Hours Investigates because his friend, Bryant's accuser, can't. A court-imposed gag order says that no one directly involved in the case can speak publicly, but Strickland says that his friend knows that he's talking to 48 Hours Investigates. Correspondent Lesley Stahl reports.
#12 - 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.
#13 - Cry Rape
Season 16 - Episode 43 - Aired 9/20/2003
Anyone who knows Laura Neuman, 38, knows how much she enjoys her life in Annapolis, Md. A hard-charging businesswoman, she works hard and plays hard. But life hasn't always been such smooth sailing. In fact, Laura says she spent two decades living in fear as a victim of rape. Correspondent Susan Spencer reports. It's been almost 20 years since that horrible night when she was attacked. Laura, then 18, had just moved out of her parent's home in Baltimore. With dreams of college and a career, she was ready to take on the world. On Oct. 14, 1983, Laura says, she fell asleep watching television. She says she heard a noise while she was asleep, but she thought it was her roommate returning home. "It sounded like a shuffling noise in the background," she recalls. "But then, of course I was awakened, and without going into too much detail, I did wake up to a gun to my head and a pillow over my face." According to the police report, an intruder entered Laura's apartment through her roommate's window and forcibly raped the frightened teenager in her own bed. "It was fear, it was shock. I was certain that there was a really good chance I wouldn't live through it. I really thought I might die," she says.
#14 - Tribute to Bob Hope
Season 16 - Episode 40 - Aired 7/28/2003
For the better part of the 20th century, Bob Hope became as much an American icon as mom's apple pie. In small towns, in run down theatres, Hope developed a craft that would allow him to dance rings around Bing Crosby. And even keep up with the fast stepping Jimmy Cagney. Nothing gave him a bigger thrill than hearing an audience erupt in laughter.
#15 - Baby Hope
Season 16 - Episode 39 - Aired 7/12/2003
Hunter Kelley, 7, is on pins and needles as he awaits the arrival of his new baby brother. His very life may depend on it. Correspondent Susan Spencer reports. Randy and Christie Kelley of Birmingham, Ala., have just what they've always wanted - a houseful of boys. First came Taylor, then Hunter and finally Parker. Everything seemed perfect until Hunter turned 5. "He'd always been small, so we kind of questioned that," says Hunter's father, Randy. "And his blood counts were deteriorating." At his annual check-up, routine tests showed Hunter's white and red blood cell counts were dangerously low. So doctors ran more tests. The diagnosis? Fanconi anemia, a rare genetic disease in which the bone marrow fails to produce healthy blood cells, leading to infection, cancer and ultimately, death. "Very rarely did children make it to adulthood," says Randy. "The average life span is between 8 years old and 12 years old. So it was pretty bleak."
#16 - Rich Kids
Season 16 - Episode 38 - Aired 6/11/2003
48 Hours Investigates reports on Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Frankie Muniz, Eric Trump and L'il Romeo -- Lifestyles of the young and rich. Rich Girls: The Olsen Twins: Even in Hollywood, where rich girls are a dime a dozen, these two 17-year-olds stand out. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen aren't just rich and ambitious, they're mini-moguls. And they're already worth, by some estimates, $40 million each and counting. Frankie Muniz: Hollywood Star: Actor Frankie Muniz has not only won fans -- he's made a fortune playing geeky teenage characters. On TV, he's the awkward, brainy middle child in the sit-com "Malcolm In The Middle." On the big screen, he's agent Cody Banks, a not-so-suave junior James Bond. In a few short years, the kid with the cute face and sparkling blue eyes has become one of Hollywood's most bankable teens. His salary for "Agent Cody Banks" was somewhere around $2 million – pretty good for Muniz, who just turned 18 this month. Correspondent Maureen Maher reports. Eric Trump: American Royalty: Eric is a prince to the manor born, part of that peculiar type of American royalty, who grows up behind the headlines with a gold-plated last name. Eric Trump, 19, is Ivana's baby boy and Donald Trump's youngest son. Correspondent Jane Clayson reports. Lil' Rome: Hip-Hop Star: Even in his wildest dreams, 14-year-old Percy Romeo Miller III never imagined a life like this. "Dreams can come true. Like Martin Luther King said, 'Have a dream,'" says Lil' Romeo, a pint-sized, platinum-selling, hip-hop superstar. In just two years, Lil' Romeo has sold an astonishing 20 million CDs. Now, he says he has $50 million in savings. This eighth grader stars in movies, cartoons and even runs a clothing company. When he's not shooting films, he's shooting hoops as a Junior Olympic basketball player. It must be a great life. "I mean Romeo's got cars, man," says his father, rapper Master P. "I'm, like, he can't even drive!" Lil' Romeo gave Correspondent
#17 - For Love or Money
Season 16 - Episode 36 - Aired 5/14/2003
Texas is known for doing everything big. And in Austin, millionaire business tycoon Steven Beard was living large with his new wife, Celeste. "Steven was always very generous. He gave me lovely jewels, lots of jewelry, lots of everything," says Celeste. They had two houses, including a custom-built Texas palace in one of Austin's wealthiest neighborhoods. "I spent a lot of money," says Celeste. "I spent a lot of money redoing the houses all the time." Steven Beard had made his mark as the co-owner of a local television station. He was rich, powerful, and an important member of the community. But his fairy-tale life was soon shattered. Correspondent Peter Van Sant reports.
#18 - To Catch a Stalker
Season 16 - Episode 34 - Aired 4/23/2003
In Shaker Heights, Ohio, just outside Cleveland, Ching L. Chang found a culturally rich and diverse neighborhood where he and his wife, Yoon Wah, could raise their four children. Penny, 15, was the youngest in the family. Growing up, her family says she was very neat, very talkative and very Americanized. She thrived in this affluent suburb, but no one could have predicted what happened. Correspondent Erin Moriarty reports
#19 - Fog of War: Facing Friendly Fire
Season 16 - Episode 32 - Aired 4/11/2003
Even with all the modern weapons of this war, warriors are still bedeviled by old-fashioned problems. It happened just this week. In Northern Iraq, a convoy of U.S. Special Forces soldiers and Kurdish allies was attacked by American bombs. Eighteen Kurds were killed and more than 45 injured, including the brother and son of a Kurdish leader. The weapons fired in this war are supposed to be precision guided and pinpoint accurate. But mistakes still happen. Correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports.
#20 - Hong Kong: Crowded City of Fear
Season 16 - Episode 31 - Aired 4/9/2003
At first glance, Hong Kong seems as noisy and bustling as ever. But there is one conspicuous difference -- the face masks. They are everywhere. And they are the first hint of what the SARS outbreak has done to this famous city. Correspondent Barry Petersen reports. “It’s changed the way we go about our day-to-day lives,” says Whitney Small, a public relations executive originally from Brunswick, Maine. "It’s not so much that you fear you’re going to be the next victim, it’s more that it’s creating a disturbance in what was already a very tense time in Hong Kong.” Hong Kong is a crowded city of fear, in a region that is now Ground Zero for a worldwide SARS outbreak.
#21 - Battling Gulf War Syndrome
Season 16 - Episode 30 - Aired 4/9/2003
One of the enduring mysteries of the last Gulf War has driven 48-year-old Navy veteran Bill Finnegan to the far eastern tip of Long Island. Correspondent Susan Spencer reports. "I live out here in the boonies, and I pretty much stay to myself all the time," says Finnegan, who mostly keeps company with his horses and dogs. "It's my choice, because I just don't feel right." It's easier, he says, than trying to explain the ravages of Gulf War Syndrome to his friends.
#22 - A Widow's Tale
Season 16 - Episode 29 - Aired 4/4/2003
Marine Gunnery Sergeant Phil Jordan was a veteran of the first Gulf War, a soldier's soldier. This week, his body came home from the current Gulf War. And for wife, Amanda, it was devastating. Correspondent Mika Brzezinski reports for 48 Hours. "It's like it's happening to somebody else," she said. "It's not happening to us." Phil and Amanda first met nine years ago, in a whirlwind courtship. Their marriage blossomed, and along came their baby, Tyler. Amanda said Tyler was so proud of his father for what he did, that he put him on a pedestal. In his letters home, Phil always had a message for Tyler, who is now 6 years old. The last letter arrived several days after Phil's death.
#23 - Stolen Beauty
Season 21 - Episode 27 - Aired 7/1/2008
Tara Grinstead, an 11th-grade history teacher in Ocilla, Ga., disappeared without a trace in October 2005. Three months later, another young woman, Jennifer Kesse, also vanished in Orlando, Fla. There were some similarities in the cases, leading investigators to wonder: are these disappearances somehow linked?
#24 - Widow's War
Season 32 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/30/2019
A Marine colonel is found shot in his bunk. Authorities say it was a suicide, his wife says it was murder -- and she is determined to prove it. "48 Hours" Peter Van Sant investigates.
#25 - The Shape of a Killer
Season 32 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/16/2019
After three murders with chillingly similar scenarios occurred in Austin, Texas, police began to wonder if they were chasing a serial killer. But whomever committed the crimes left no evidence, no DNA. Cops went into a frantic investigation. The hunt for clues changed when a man testing out a new thermal imaging scope recorded the nighttime movements of a stranger the night of the first murder. As "48 Hours" correspondent Maureen Maher reports, it was evidence cops never expected – and would help them break the case.