48 Hours

48 Hours Podcast

48 Hours is a long-standing true crime and investigative journalism production from CBS News. Originally established as a television documentary program, the podcast adaptation provides detailed coverage of criminal justice cases, legal controversies, and significant social issues. The show utilizes a documentary-style format to explore various aspects of the legal system, including homicide investigations, cold case reviews, and the examination of potential wrongful convictions.

The reporting is conducted by a team of CBS News correspondents who utilize archival footage, trial recordings, and original interviews to reconstruct events. These contributors speak with a range of figures involved in the cases, such as investigators, legal counsel, witnesses, and the families of victims. The narrative typically adheres to a chronological investigation, presenting the facts and evidence as they were discovered by law enforcement and the reporting team.

The podcast’s release schedule is organized into several segments throughout the week. Primary episodes are released on Mondays, offering a full narrative of a specific case. On Tuesdays, the "Post Mortem" series, hosted by Anne-Marie Green, features discussions between producers and correspondents. These segments provide additional context regarding the reporting process, obstacles encountered during filming, and specific details about evidence. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the program releases archived episodes that highlight significant past cases from its decades-long history.

While the production originates from the United States and focuses largely on American jurisprudence, its reach is international, catering to a global audience interested in forensic science and criminal law. The series is recognized for its role in bringing public attention to legal cases that have subsequently been reopened or resolved due to new information uncovered during the investigative process. The podcast is accessible through standard audio platforms and offers an ad-free subscription service, known as 48 Hours+, for listeners seeking uninterrupted content.

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Episode's summary

This episode explores the harrowing medical emergency of Hannah Petty, who was hospitalized with life-threatening lead poisoning. As doctors concluded that the massive amount of lead in her system must have been ingested deliberately, an investigation began into her husband, chiropractor Brian Mann. The investigation uncovered a potential link to lead used in an x-ray room, leading to a trial where prosecutors argued Mann attempted to poison his wife for life insurance purposes. Despite defense claims, the jury returned a guilty verdict, resulting in a life sentence for Mann, while Hannah began her journey toward recovery.

Chapters

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Highlights

It's lead poisoning. You've been lead poisoned.

00:02:44 · The pivotal moment when doctors identified the cause of Hannah's severe illness.

They let me know that this is an attempted murder.

00:10:24 · Medical professionals informed Nicole that the level of lead ingestion was too high to be accidental.

Her whole insides was lit up from the lead reacting to the x-ray. I mean, it was crazy.

00:20:39 · The investigator describes the shocking visual evidence of lead poisoning seen on Hannah's x-rays.

It was vitally important. It's always necessary to put your murder weapon into the hands of a defendant.

00:31:42 · The investigator emphasizes how the contractor's information regarding the lead source was crucial for the prosecution.

In terms of a theory, it mostly was that he made a decision to slowly poison her, to gain this life insurance, to rid himself of a sweet, sweet person.

00:33:21 · The lead prosecutor explains the state's motive for the alleged crime.

Episodes

1244-

The Survivor Story of Hannah Pettey

This episode explores the harrowing medical emergency of Hannah Petty, who was hospitalized with life-threatening lead poisoning. As doctors concluded that the massive amount of lead in her system must have been ingested deliberately, an investigation began into her husband, chiropractor Brian Mann. The investigation uncovered a potential link to lead used in an x-ray room, leading to a trial where prosecutors argued Mann attempted to poison his wife for life insurance purposes. Despite defense claims, the jury returned a guilty verdict, resulting in a life sentence for Mann, while Hannah began her journey toward recovery.

07 Sep 2026
1243-

Lindsay Clancy: Drama in the Deliberation Room

This episode examines the intense developments in the Lindsay Clancy trial, focusing on a juror dispute that threatens a mistrial and the potential for a hung jury. We explore the courtroom atmosphere, the possibility of adding a manslaughter charge, and the legal implications of the judge's instructions to the jury. The discussion also covers the closing arguments, contrasting the defense's theatrical approach with the prosecution's focus on mental illness. Additionally, we look into the arrest of a woman for allegedly recording jurors and the broader implications of this case for maternal mental health awareness.

04 Sep 2026
1242-

Knock Knock

The podcast 'Knock Knock' follows Jason B. Jones's journey to uncover the truth behind the 1990 murders of his step-grandmother, Betty Jones, and Catherine Crickler. The episode details the brutal nature of the crime, the decades of failed investigations involving local suspects, and the personal impact on the victims' families. The narrative tracks how advancements in forensic technology, specifically DNA phenotyping and genetic genealogy, eventually provided a breakthrough. Investigators identified Michael Wayne Devon as a suspect after DNA from a discarded cigarette butt matched the crime scene evidence, leading to his arrest and guilty plea, though many questions regarding the motive remain.

03 Sep 2026
1241-

Shelley's Last Breath

This episode explores the mysterious death of Shelley Tyre during a scuba diving trip in Tortola, examining the conflicting theories between an accidental drowning and deliberate murder. Forensic evidence of damaged equipment and suspicious behavior led to the prosecution of David Swain, focusing on potential financial motives and his detached demeanor. The narrative follows the complex legal battle, including the defense's attempt to explain Swain's history through childhood trauma and the theory of accidental gear removal due to panic. Ultimately, the episode details the trial's progression from an initial life sentence to the overturning of the conviction by a three-judge panel, leaving Swain a free man despite the Tyre family's enduring belief in his guilt.

02 Sep 2026
1240-

Post Mortem | A Fatality in the Stairwell

Host Anne-Marie Greene and correspondent Peter Van Sant investigate the death of Kevin Davis, examining the controversial investigation into Allison Davis. The discussion explores potential police errors, such as failing to search a room due to a guard dog and clearing the crime scene prematurely, alongside the community's reaction to her arrest. The episode also covers the trial and subsequent acquittal of Allison Davis, which centered on a battle between medical experts regarding the cause of death. Despite the not guilty verdict, the segment highlights the intense disagreement from investigators and the profound personal toll the accusation and imprisonment took on Allison's life.

01 Sep 2026