Episode
48 Hours: The Shape of a Killer
Overview
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.
Details
- Series
- 48 Hours
- Season
- Season 32
- Episode
- Episode 20
- Air date
- 2019-03-16
- Runtime
- 43 min
Episode context
The Shape of a Killer is Episode 20 in Season 32 of 48 Hours. It aired on 2019-03-16. The runtime is 43 min.
Previous / Next
Episode 19: Out of Reach
Peter Van Sant and the team investigate the 30-year-old murder of American teacher Carolyn Abel, who was living in South Korea at the time of her death and whose murderer could avoid going to trial due to a specific loophole in American laws.
Episode 21: Karrie's Choice
Could a teenager be brainwashed by one parent to help murder the other parent -- and then make it look like a suicide? "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty investigates.
More episodes from this season
Episode 18: Fatal Crossing
A pregnant, South Carolinian mother and her infant daughter are found dead near railway tracks. Though determined to be a suicide, the victims' family suspects their son-in-law.
Episode 22: Widow's War
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.
Episode 17: Portrait of a Killer
A teenager said after he killed an elderly couple “it felt amazing.” Now a controversial new California law could set him free at 25. "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty investigates.
Episode 23: Live to Tell: The Vendetta
A judge and her son are ambushed in front of their home. Shot multiple times, the judge refuses to be intimidated and works to stop other attacks. CBS News' Jim Axelrod reports.
Episode 16: Live to Tell: Standoff at Trader Joe's
"48 Hours" Live to Tell: Hostages chillingly reveal the terrifying three hours they spent held captive by a gunman inside a California supermarket. CBS News' Jim Axelrod reports.
Episode 24: In Jason's Name
An Irish businessman is killed by his American au-pair-turned-wife and her father. They claim self-defense -- the dead man’s sister fights to clear his name. "48 Hours"' Maureen Maher investigates.
Episode 15: Was Kevin Cooper Framed? Part 2
Episode 25: A Death in Payson Canyon
A teenager’s death appeared to be a suicide -- but investigators say she was helped by a friend who recorded it and weeks earlier texted “it's like getting away with murder.” CBS News' David Begnaud investigates.
Episode 14: Was Kevin Cooper Framed? Part 1
Nearly 20 years ago a death row inmate wrote to "48 Hours" that he was framed for the murder of four people. Was evidence planted? New DNA tests could answer that question. Correspondent Erin Moriarty investigates.
Episode 26: The Case Against Enrico Forti
A former TV producer and windsurfing champion says he’s in prison for a murder he didn’t commit -- the only physical evidence against him: a teaspoon of sand. "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty investigates.