2026
“Joe Hunter’s Mission”
A family’s pursuit of justice after a suspicious death—and the legislation inspired by the case.
Gracie Award · New York Press Club Award
Bio
01 / 03Michelle Fanucci is a multi-Emmy Award-winning journalist and producer. She is currently a development producer for CBS News’ 48 Hours, where she produces primetime specials, original true-crime investigations and award-winning documentaries about law, justice and extraordinary stories of courage and survival.
Most recently, Fanucci produced Joe Hunter’s Mission, an acclaimed 48 Hours investigation chronicling a family’s pursuit of justice after a suspicious death—a case that inspired Joanna’s Law, legislation strengthening investigations of suspicious deaths involving domestic violence. The documentary won the 2026 Gracie Award and a New York Press Club Award.
Her other award-winning work includes 39 Days, which chronicled the student-led movement that emerged after the Parkland school shooting and earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding News Special and an Edward R. Murrow Award for News Documentary; and The Long Road Home, which followed a survivor’s eight-month recovery after the Brussels airport bombings and received a Sigma Delta Chi Award and an Edward R. Murrow Award.
Fanucci has covered major national and international stories, breaking news, and some of the nation’s highest-profile criminal cases. She also contributes to Post Mortem, the official 48 Hours podcast.
Her work has been recognized with three Emmy Awards, two Edward R. Murrow Awards, a Gracie Award, a Sigma Delta Chi Award and multiple New York Press Club Awards.
She began her career in morning television at NBC News’ TODAY and later worked at NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams and Dateline NBC. She studied Legal Studies/Law & Politics at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and served as a White House intern.
02 / 03
Stories beyond
the headline.
Fanucci’s work is grounded in rigorous reporting, hard-won access, and the trust she earns from the people at the center of each story.
2018
“39 Days”
The student-led movement that emerged after the Parkland school shooting.
Emmy Award · Edward R. Murrow Award · George Foster Peabody Award Nominee
2016
“The Long Road Home”
A survivor’s eight-month recovery following the Brussels airport bombings.
Sigma Delta Chi · Edward R. Murrow Award
2026
“Beverly Hills 911”
A widow is found dead below a staircase in her Beverly Hills mansion as detectives search for answers.
2024
“Scott Peterson: Case in Question”
A renewed examination of the case against Scott Peterson after his death sentence was overturned.
2024
“The Menendez Brothers’ Fight for Freedom”
An exclusive jailhouse interview with Lyle Menendez.
2024
“Justice for Amie”
The murder of Hollywood therapist Amie Harwick becomes a fight for justice—and a trial that exposes gaps in California’s stalking laws.
2025
“Christy and Hilda’s Last Dance”
After two young women are dumped outside Los Angeles hospitals, a “48 Hours” investigation follows the trail from unanswered questions to a courtroom reckoning.
2021
“A Sister’s Fight for Her Brother”
A sister wages a relentless fight to overturn her brother’s murder conviction—and expose the possibility that an innocent man was sent to prison.
View story ↗2020
“The Ambush of Kevin Harris”
A cold-case investigation into the ambush killing of a rising music star, pursued alongside police and the FBI as they search for answers.
Awards
03 / 03Journalism
recognized.
2026
Gracie Award
“Joe Hunter’s Mission”
2026
New York Press Club Award
“Joe Hunter’s Mission”
2019
Emmy Award · Outstanding News Special
“39 Days”
2019
Edward R. Murrow Award
“39 Days”
2019
George Foster Peabody Award Nominee
“39 Days”
2018
New York Press Club Award · Special Event Reporting—Television
“A Nation Divided”
2017
Sigma Delta Chi Award
“The Long Road Home”
2016
News and Documentary Emmy Award Nominee
“48 Hours: Paris Under Attack”
2011
Emmy Award · Outstanding Morning Program
“Today Show”
2010
Emmy Award · Outstanding Morning Program
“Today Show”
2014—NOW
CBS News · “48 Hours”
Development Producer
2012—14
NBC News · “Dateline NBC”
Associate Producer
2007—11
NBC News · “TODAY”
Researcher / Producer
EARLIER
The White House
Intern
Contact