Deputy Police Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson transfers from Atlanta to Los Angeles to head up a special unit of the LAPD that handles sensitive, high-profile murder cases. Despite a tendency to step on people's toes, Johnson manages to convert even her strongest adversaries with her unique ability to get to the truth, and more importantly, to close cases.
A seemingly routine murder investigation by the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division is interrupted by the arrival of Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson, the new head of the LAPD's Priority Murder Squad. An outsider from Atlanta in her first week of service, Brenda has already begun to face the resistance of long-time high-ranking officers, particularly Capt. Taylor of Robbery Homicide, as well as the questionable confidence of her own squad, who have decided to request transfers en masse. Only her assistant, Sgt. Gabriel, seems willing to try to work with her.Determined to show them what she is capable bringing to the Squad, Brenda embarks on the investigation undeterred. Her victim is a woman killed in the home of technology genius with the secret to a multi-million dollar piece of software, found by his quiet, religious assistant. Drawing on the skills of her officers, particularly Lt. Tao's forensic and technological talents, Brenda soon discovers her victim may be more than meets the eye. But when a former flame, Agent Fritz Howard of the FBI lends a hand, both her investigation and her private life take unexpected turns, leading her to a startling conclusion to the case. In the end she proves to the Squad she is, as billed, a closer.
Brenda and the team must investigate the murder of high-profile model Heather Kingsley, who dies as a result of nicotine poisoning, applied to her scalp via her hair conditioner. Suspicion quickly falls on her movie-star husband, Dean, whose philandering ways and false claims of a pre-nuptual agreement make him the likely killer. As Brenda investigates, she is drawn into the world of celebrity beauty, where illusion is everything, and the standard high. When she undergoes a make-over to meet the Dean's discarded lovers one-by-one, each of whom appears to have a motive to murder, Brenda realizes there may be more to this case than a man trying to get out of a marriage. At the same time, she is slowly seduced by the superficial glamour, which seems to impress her colleagues, and Fritz. As the real killer emerges, Brenda comes to the realization that she can only be who she is, and that the rest is just an illusion.
Brenda investigates the death of a high-priced Russian call girl whose client list reveals the name of Danny Booth, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer and close friend of Brenda's boss, Pope. Brenda's investigation into the murder also puts her in the FBI's headlights, and in a possible conflict with Fritz.
Brenda forms an alliance with a man while searching for a sniper, but her trust is put to the test when he manipulates and out-maneuvers her, causing a gang backlash.
Brenda's investigation into the murder of a psychiatrist and the drug trial he was conducting is disrupted when Pope leaks confidential information that Flynn uses against her.
Brenda works to solve the rape and murder of a congresswoman's daughter.
Priority Homicide investigates the murder of a judge, and Brenda must bond with his autistic son to find the killer.
Brenda is asked to prove a hate crime, but Taylor's interference may finally be enough to ruin the case.
Brenda's investigation into the rape and murder of a young girl begins to affect her emotions, and in order to close the case she makes an unlikely deal.
Brenda tangles with a meddling deputy D.A. as she investigates the possible murder of a butler made to appear as suicide.
The investigation of the murder of a Middle Eastern businessman and his bodyguard is complicated by the FBI who believe the case to be related to terrorism.
Brenda is asked to help keep a criminal imprisoned when the woman he was convicted of murdering shows up recently dead, and her actions alienate everyone. Meanwhile, Captain Taylor makes a fateful decision about supporting one of his men.
Captain Taylor makes his move against Brenda, meaning she must juggle concerns of an I.A. investigation with solving the murder of a famous producer.
Brenda investigates the murder of an off-duty L.A.P.D. officer, and Fritz pressures her for a decision.
When a juror dies during a mob boss trial, Brenda has to finesse her way to questioning the remaining jurors. Meanwhile, an unannounced visit put her plans with Fritz on hold.
The murder of two USC students in an apparent gang shooting that leaves another in the hospital has Brenda juggling responsibilities for entertaining her mother and solving the case.
When a father, mother and daughter are found stabbed to death in their home, the surviving son is found cowering in the attic, high and claiming innocence.
The discovery of a body at a building site dating back to the L.A. Riots puts Brenda on a collision course with a priest, a politician, and one of her team.
Brenda becomes the most downloaded video on YouTube after being assaulted by a bride whose wedding she's stopped due to a corpse falling out of a casket.
Brenda investigates the murder of a woman and the wild fire she was found in, complicated by the reappearance of Bill Croelick who is either the likeliest suspect or the best resource she'll ever have to find the killer.
The team investigates the hit-and-run death of one of Flynn's old cases, and Brenda works on her political skills when it turns out the case may lead to a Hollywood director and his wife.
A girl is dead. At Commander Taylor's entreaty, Brenda steps beyond her purview to bring a high school rapist protected by his intimidating policeman father to justice.
Four family members are killed in their home - innocent victims in an attempted execution of a trial witness, all because the killer went to the wrong address.
Brenda and her team step into the delicate kidnapping case of a real estate mogul accused of fraud, which is complicated by frozen assets, an FBI case, obnoxious relatives, and a victim who may not be victimized.
When Sergeant Gabriel wounds an unarmed suspect, Brenda finds herself at odds with the FID Captain - a woman who is as single-minded and as intense as she is - jockeying for position and Gabriel's career.
While Major Crimes struggles to get comfortable in their new, state-of-the-art surroundings, Brenda investigates the murder of a contractor who was having an affair with the wife of one of his clients.
Brenda's case involving a murdered Hispanic nanny escalates into a serial rapist investigation, but why is Captain Raydor shadowing her in this case and scrutinizing her every move?
As Brenda contemplates applying for the promotion, her case involving the possible suicide of a drug addict becomes complicated when she uncovers a custody battle between the victim and a dying father.
Flynn and Provenza's double date with a pair of flight attendants gets Major Crimes caught in the middle of a pair of murders connected to drug trafficking, after Provenza finds a dead body in the woman's apartment.
While the team investigates a massacre that included an up and coming rapper, Delk begins a major restructuring at Major Crimes, including a surprising new boss for Brenda.
Pope becomes interim chief after Delk's death, but he doesn't cancel Raydor's investigation into Brenda. Meanwhile, Major Crimes tackles a case involving a house sitter who was killed while the family who hired her was on vacation.
To make some easy money on the side by serving a convicted embezzler, Flynn, Provenza and Buzz get in trouble when their actions result in the death of a man hired to be his impostor.
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Investigation into the murder of an owner of a trendy restaurant is complicated by Brenda's odd behavior.
When Flynn and Provenza put sky box tickets over duty, the repercussions could bring the unit down.
Brenda investigates the apparent suicide of a "stalkerazzo," and Fritz receives a disturbing phone call.
Brenda's investigation into the murder of a porn star who was subsequently dismembered brings up emotions that may or may not be related to the case.
The discovery of two bodies, a Japanese woman and her daughter in an apparent murder/suicide, puts the team on the trail of a possible multiple murderer.
An 8-year-old boy dies and his distraught friend blames himself for his death. As the grieving mother casts blame on the doctors, the detectives look into her as the responsible party.
The death of a meth-head has Brenda looking at the Narcotics division, and a deposition may reveal a deeply held secret.
A fender-bender while on duty interferes with Brenda's investigation into an apparent triple murder with no bodies that may have ties to illegal immigration.
The shooting of a witness may free a murderer, and as the team investigates the involvement of a Catholic school's Civics class, a bombshell is dropped in the "murder room."
The death of an FBI informant's wife and an agent puts Fritz in the role of peacekeeper between the FBI Special Agent in charge and Brenda.
Brenda, on paid administrative leave after the station shooting, is bored from inactivity. Salvation in the form of a covert ops assignment may be more than she bargained for, even if it means regaining her team.
Although Brenda has extorted her team back, the consequences may prove deadly as she probes deeper into a young man's death.
When a little girl is abducted, Sergeant Gabriel steps over a line for results, jeopardizing the case and his career.
Brenda finds herself investigating the goings on at a retirement facility when a man confesses to seven murders and refuses to give his name.
Brenda, while ill and with most of her team forced into WMD training, has to solve a murder with just Provenza.
A suspected gang retaliation double murder takes a different turn, and Brenda continues to feel ill.
Brenda seeks a serial killer who murders in groupings of three, brands the feet of his tortured victims and dumps the bodies along the Pacific Coast Highway, a sadist who has resumed after an eight-year hiatus.
A reporter dies while Brenda helps him profile the LAPD, but Pope bars her from participating in the case until the department psychiatrist clears her for duty. At home, she and Fritz await her parents for a visit.
Brenda leaves Fritz in charge of her visiting parents while she investigates the death of a Chinese tour bus guide, much to Fritz' and her parents' irritation.
A relentless Homeland Security auditor is found dead, but it wasn't the car crash that killed her. Fresh from surgery, Brenda is on the case but soon contracts a case of poison oak.
The murder of a prominent divorce attorney goes to trial despite evidence that isn't as iron-clad as Priority Homicide normally produces (in the main, no confession).
When an alibi, previously thought fictitious, turns up to derail Prosecutor Garnett's efforts in the Shafer trial, Brenda discovers a second house that provides the motive.
Brenda tracks a robbery-homicide suspect back to Atlanta, Georgia, where her parents resent being lead to believe she's returned home to visit them for Christmas.
Brenda, her parents, Fritz, Wesley, Flynn and Provenza begin a cross-country RV trip to return her suspect to LA. Along the way, she administers one of her blackest lies.
A murdered man wearing a wire is discovered in an alley. Once he's identified, his ties to an FBI drug case put Brenda in conflict with Fritz.
Carjackers compromise Priority Homicide's successful murder-for-hire sting operation when they make off with Lt. Provenza's car, containing all the compiled evidence.
A 13-year-old boy goes missing, and the more Brenda's team looks into it, the more they can't find anyone who wouldn't want him dead.
Det. Julio Sanchez' little brother Oscar is shot and killed, leaving Julio beside himself with grief and seeking his killer any way he can, which threatens the investigation.
A movie studio hair-stylist is found beaten to death, making her physically abusive, soon-to-be-divorced husband the prime suspect.
Brenda takes on the Catholic church and the obnoxious Ricardo Ramos as the team investigates the deaths of two Mexican policeman while facing the possible end of the Priority Homicide unit.
Brenda and her newly christened Major Crimes Division investigate the victim of a crude pipe bomb that exploded too soon, a case that leads them to disaffected teens with a plot that will make one of the team a deadly target.
Dr. Morales calls in a favor when he believes a suicide is murder, interfering with Brenda planning her wedding with her parents.
Brenda's personal day is ruined when the body of an obese jewel thief is found in the trunk of his car, without the diamonds he stole.
Brenda and her team match wits with a sex offender's lawyer in a case involving murder and a serial rapist, and when Deputy DA Garnett forces an unpalatable plea bargain, no one is prepared for the result.
Fritz' sister, a newly-discovered 'intuitionist', assists Brenda and her team with a case that involves text messages that imply a murder and a suicide that isn't what it seems.
Brenda and Fritz both deal with cases on the day before their wedding; Provenza puts his foot down, resulting in a resignation.
Special agent Howard asks Brenda for Major Crimes' help in finding a "missing person;" however, when that person turns out to be a murdered drug dealer-turned FBI informant, the sparks begin to fly.
A reformed former convict is shot and killed outside a community center in gang territory. The team tries to solve the crime while Brenda tries to assure a public that has grown wary and skeptical of police cooperation.
Brenda deals with a psychotic wannabe detective who holds the keys to her case involving the murder of a pick-up artist. Unfortunately, he also holds her evidence and Chief Pope's career in his delusional hands.
Two officers are shot and killed in the line of duty; however, Captain Raydor's internal investigation could jeopardize Major Crimes' chances of finding the killers.
Brenda works with a retired detective on a case involving an accused killer who is murdered, but they clash because Brenda wants to find the killer's killer while the detective is more concerned about closure for the killer's victims.
When a confessed killer gets an important detail of the murder wrong during his allocution, Brenda suspects that he may be covering for his schizophrenic son. Meanwhile, Brenda gets a visit from her mother and teenage niece.
A cooler containing a body over three years dead comes to Major Crimes, leading Brenda to consider four hostile suspects. Meanwhile, Brenda's niece outstays her welcome with Brenda and Fritz.
Brenda uses her niece Charlie without her knowledge to uncover a motive after a schoolyard shooter kills one teenager and leaves another seriously wounded.
Texas authorities help Major Crimes catch a serial killer, but will Brenda allow the killer to be extradited to Texas to face the death penalty? Meanwhile back at home, she must decide whether Charlie can stay and live with Fritz and her.
When the younger brother of a gang leader and two other gang members are killed, Major Crimes suspects that they are victims in a gang war; however, when a stolen ATM card is recovered at the scene of the crime, a new motive emerges.
Major Crimes runs into a problem when it is forced to reopen an old murder case and discovers that the detective who closed it (Provenza's ex-partner) had a sex change and is now a woman.
Tension between Captain Raydor and Major Crimes escalates as Chief Pope asks Brenda to discretely investigate the abuse of one of Raydor's detectives. Meanwhile, Fritz has news that could change his and Brenda's life together.
Major Crimes takes a homicide that appears to be a Mexican cartel murder, but they soon discover a possible alternative motive. Meanwhile, Provenza questions whether Sanchez is actively searching for Ruben's mother.
The tension between Brenda and chief Pope comes to a head when he takes over her case involving the murder of a California Parole Board commissioner.
While Major Crimes tries to identify a team of bank robbers, Fritz is named FBI liaison for the LAPD, and chief Pope and Brenda find out who's on the short list for police chief.
In order to satisfy military authorities after three Army Rangers are killed outside a nightclub, Brenda is forced to make an immunity deal with a gang member who is the twin brother of one of the victims, which backfires badly.
While Major Crimes tracks down a man suspected of murdering a woman he met on an Internet dating website, Brenda begins to get cold feet before her final interview for police chief.
While Brenda awaits the mayor's final decision for police chief, Pope forces her to work with one of her competitors on a case involving a man who murdered a pair of paramedics and may hold a grudge against first responders.
Brenda tries to prove that a man from one of Det. Flynn's old convictions hired a man from prison to have him killed, and bribed a witness to recant her testimony to have his appeal granted.
The new LAPD chief assigns Major Crimes a case involving a string of armed robberies at medical marijuana dispensaries, and gives Brenda an opportunity to replace Chief Pope in the near future.
An apparent Albanian blood feud puts the kibosh on everyone's Christmas getaway plans, all but for Brenda, who's parents have come to announce that they're moving to Los Angeles.
The investigation into the Albanian blood feud uncovers a surprising secret about the identities of one of the family members, and somebody breaks into Brenda's parents' RV.
Will Brenda's pity for an unlikely crackhead found on skid row cloud her judgment in a murder investigation?
The death of a young boy hits close to home for Lieutenant Tao, and Brenda continues to duck Raydor's investigation.
While Major Crimes tackles a case involving the death of a cross-dressing minister, the entire team is served in the Terrell Baylor case - except for Gabriel.
While Major Crimes tries to figure out who killed a registered sex offender and buried him under a retaining wall, Brenda tries to find a way to pay for her new high-priced defense attorney.
An escort appears to have died from an overdose, but her mother, a Phoenix police officer, insists it's not true. Meanwhile, Raydor's continuing investigation makes Brenda comes to terms with a shocking reality.
While Major Crimes tries to stop a hit ordered from prison by a Mexican drug cartel, Brenda's attorney begins the uncomfortable task of find the leak in the department.
While Major Crimes investigates the death of an aspiring teenage pop star's father, Brenda contemplates whether to accept what appears to be a generous offer to settle her case.
Brenda's attorney's efforts at requesting a summary judgment in her case are interrupted when the team is called out to investigate the murder of a deputy sheriff.
As Brenda suspects a good Samaritan high school coach of murdering his new principal to cover instances of pedophilia, Captain Raydor catches Pope off guard with the surprise announcement of her retirement.
A Christmas village Santa is killed in a zip-line accident, and the village's other Santa comes under suspicion. Meanwhile, Brenda's lawyer informs her that his retainer has run out and she needs to pay him $25,000.
Brenda and Fritz butt heads when the FBI appears to sabotage her murder investigation because her main suspect is under their surveillance, and Brenda's parents come to town for the holidays with some bad news
The police commissioner's wife tries to claim that her car was stolen to cover up for her drunken vehicular homicide, but Brenda sees right through her lies.
When Major Crimes finds Peter Goldman's card on a murdered witness to Turell Baylor's death, new questions and suspects emerge in the Baylor case that could ultimately prove Brenda's innocence in the federal suit against her.
Brenda is willing to go to extreme lengths to prove that a sleazy defense attorney from her past is actually his client's accomplice in a rape/murder case.
Flynn and Provenza fail to detect a robbery-homicide in progress at a cash-for-gold store, leading to a messy and awkward investigation for Major Crimes.
The murder of a doctor who treats cancer patients hits close to home for Brenda and gets her in hot water with Pope.
Brenda gets in more trouble with Pope when the Catholic Church stonewalls her investigation into a priest's murder. Meanwhile she also faces pressure at home caring for her sick father.
While Brenda returns early after her mother's death to help Major Crimes solve the murder of a security guard, Raydor uncovers the leak in the department from Brenda's Turell Baylor case.
Brenda puts her career on the line to prove that Philip Stroh is guilty of murder, even though she has no hard evidence or smoking gun.