48 Hours “Joe Hunter’s Mission” December 13 2025 Recap & Preview

In an emotional and deeply personal episode, 48 Hours presents Joe Hunter’s Mission on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET/PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Reported by Natalie Morales, the broadcast follows Survivor contestant and Sacramento fire captain Joe Hunter as he seeks answers in the mysterious death of his sister, Joanna Hunter.

Joanna’s death was officially ruled a suicide, but Joe has never accepted that explanation. His public tribute to Joanna on Survivor Season 48 became one of the most unforgettable moments of the season and brought national attention to a case long considered closed. Now, Joe is determined to prove his sister was murdered and bring renewed scrutiny to the investigation that failed to convince him—or his family—of the truth.

Set in West Sacramento, California, the episode includes interviews with Joe Hunter, his wife Kayte Hunter, a former WNBA player and current sideline reporter for the Sacramento Kings, and their mother, Patricia Hunter. Together, they speak candidly about Joanna’s life, her struggles, and the moments that still haunt them.

The episode also features conversations with Solano County Sheriff’s Office Captain Jackson Harris, domestic violence experts Casey Gwinn and Gael Strack from Alliance for HOPE International, and Dr. Bill Smock, a national authority on strangulation evidence. Former members of Joanna’s church, including ex-deputy Daryl Snedeker and former deacon Jacob Cantrell, provide additional insight into the community and relationships that may hold answers.

With Natalie Morales guiding viewers through the emotional and investigative journey, Joe Hunter’s Mission is a powerful story of grief, determination, and one brother’s fight to uncover the truth—no matter how long it takes.

Tune in Saturday night on CBS or stream the full episode on Paramount+.