Ep 1. Chain of Death

In the first episode of the 21st season of The First 48, titled "Chain of Death," we follow the investigation of a shooting that took place in broad daylight in Memphis, Tennessee. The episode opens with the discovery of the victim's body on the street, surrounded by onlookers and police officers. From the beginning, it's clear that this is going to be a difficult case as there are no witnesses, no surveillance footage, and no leads.

The victim is quickly identified as a 39-year-old man named Kedrick Jenifer who was known to be involved in gang activity. The lead detective, Tony Mullins, and his team begin to investigate the case by first reaching out to Kedrick's family and friends to get a sense of who might have wanted him dead. They learn that Kedrick had been involved in a feud with another gang that had been ongoing for years, and that tensions had recently escalated after a shooting in a nearby park.

As the investigation progresses, Detective Mullins and his team struggle to make progress as they attempt to piece together what happened in the moments leading up to Kedrick's murder. They comb through surveillance footage from nearby businesses, interview potential witnesses, and gather evidence at the crime scene, but all of their efforts seem to lead to dead ends.

Things take a surprising turn when a witness comes forward with information that leads the investigation in a completely new direction. The witness tells detectives that they saw a car leaving the scene of the crime that matched the description of a car that was stolen earlier that day. Using this new lead, the detectives are able to track down the car and eventually identify the suspect, leading to a tense standoff and a dramatic conclusion to the episode.

Overall, "Chain of Death" is a gripping episode that highlights the challenges faced by detectives in investigating homicide cases. It shows the painstaking work that goes into building a case, from interviewing witnesses to analyzing forensic evidence, and reveals how even the smallest piece of information can lead to a breakthrough in a case. With its realistic portrayal of police work and its tense, dramatic moments, this episode is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.