48 Hours “The Rx Defense” February 7 2026 Recap & Preview
This Saturday, 48 Hours investigates a tragic shooting and an unusual defense in an all-new episode titled The Rx Defense, airing February 7, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Correspondent Tracy Smith travels to Friendswood, Texas, where a deadly shooting just before Christmas 2023 left one teen dead, another seriously wounded, and a community searching for answers.
On December 23, 2023, police responded to a call at a suburban home and discovered that two teenagers had been shot. Eighteen-year-old Ethan Riley died from his injuries, and nineteen-year-old Ben Bliek survived the attack. Their friend, 17-year-old Connor Hilton, was arrested and later confessed to the shooting. But what followed took an unexpected turn—Hilton claimed the act was triggered by a violent psychological reaction to a commonly prescribed acne medication.
In an exclusive interview, Connor Hilton and his parents, Johnece and Neal Hilton, speak publicly for the first time. They describe the days leading up to the shooting and Connor’s dramatic change in behavior. According to Hilton, the medication caused him to spiral mentally, leading to homicidal thoughts he says he couldn’t control. His defense team argues the drug’s potential side effects were overlooked. Prosecutors, however, firmly reject the claim, pointing to what they believe is clear evidence of intent and premeditation.
The episode features interviews with survivor Ben Bliek, his mother Shannon Bliek, former detective Nick McCanless, and Kayla Allen, the lead prosecutor on the case. Also contributing is Dr. Douglas Bremner, a professor of psychiatry at Emory University, who offers insight into the potential psychiatric side effects of certain prescription medications.
The Rx Defense raises difficult questions about medical accountability, mental health, and personal responsibility. Don’t miss this compelling episode of 48 Hours, Saturday night on CBS. It will also be available for streaming on Paramount+.
