48 Hours “Fatal First Date” November 2 2024 Recap & Preview
On Saturday, November 2, 2024, 48 Hours presents a powerful new episode titled “Fatal First Date,” airing at 10:00 PM ET/PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Correspondent Erin Moriarty reports on the tragic story of Chris Smith and Leslie Reeves, whose first date took a horrifying turn, resulting in a deadly confrontation.
The incident took place in Farmersville, Illinois, on the night before Thanksgiving in 2021. Smith and Reeves had met online and were excited for their first date, but the evening quickly turned into a nightmare when an intruder broke into Smith’s home around 1:00 AM. In the chaos that ensued, Reeves was shot and killed, while Smith suffered a gunshot wound to the head but miraculously survived.
When EMT Dennis Hobson, a longtime friend of Smith’s, arrived at the scene, he found Smith fighting for his life in a blood-soaked kitchen, with Reeves lifeless in the living room. The absence of a weapon at the scene led investigators to suspect an intruder had been involved.
Following the incident, detectives hoped to gather crucial information from Smith, but he was placed in a medically induced coma for several weeks. After regaining consciousness two months later, Smith struggled with amnesia regarding the attack and had no recollection of Reeves or the events that unfolded that night. “I wish to God I could remember something … even just a smidgen, but I remember nothing,” he shared with Moriarty in an exclusive interview.
The investigation took a turn as authorities began to focus on Reeves’ ex-boyfriend, Robert Tarr, believing he had stalked her and broken into Smith’s home. Eventually, Tarr was convicted of Reeves’ murder and the attempted murder of Smith.
“Fatal First Date” pieces together the terrifying events of that fateful night, providing a detailed look at the investigation and its aftermath. The episode will also feature insights from Tarr, who continues to deny his involvement despite his conviction. This gripping episode promises to shed light on a tragic story that underscores the unpredictability of love and the hidden dangers that can emerge on a seemingly ordinary night.
