Everything Everywhere Daily – The Black Dahlia
Host: Gary Arndt
Episode Date: September 17, 2025
Overview
In this episode, Gary Arndt delves into the infamous murder of Elizabeth Short, widely known as the Black Dahlia. He traces her life, the mysterious circumstances of her 1947 murder, the media’s sensational response, key suspects, and enduring theories. The episode emphasizes the cultural impact of the unsolved case and explores why it continues to fascinate the public and true crime enthusiasts alike.
Key Topics & Insights
1. Elizabeth Short’s Early Life and Struggles
- Background: Born in Boston in 1924, one of five daughters to Cleo Alvin Short Jr. and Phoebe Mae Sawyer. Her father faked his death during the Great Depression, only to resurface 12 years later (06:15).
- Health issues: "Elizabeth would develop severe asthma and bronchitis, forcing her to undergo lung surgery." (07:20)
- Frequent moves: Due to her health and family instability, Elizabeth split time between Boston, Miami, and California.
2. Elizabeth’s Pursuit of Stardom
- Move to Los Angeles: After failed relationships and the tragic death of her fiancé, she moved to LA in hopes of becoming an actress (09:35).
- Last days: On January 9, 1947, she was last seen being dropped off at the Biltmore Hotel by her boyfriend, Robert Manley (10:30).
3. Discovery of the Body
- The crime scene: On January 15, 1947, Elizabeth’s mutilated body was found at Leimert Park, cut in half and drained of blood.
- Forensics: Hemicorporectomy surgery and evidence of medical expertise noted by police (14:18).
- "Hemicorporectomy has only been reported 66 times in medical literature... leading investigators to believe that whoever killed Elizabeth had medical knowledge and training." (14:25)
4. Media Frenzy and Sensationalism
- Reporter’s deception: The Los Angeles Examiner’s call to Elizabeth’s mother began with false hopes before revealing her death (16:04):
- "The reporter first told her that her daughter had won a beauty contest... before finally revealing that her daughter was not a beauty contest winner, but rather a murder victim."
- Naming and press coverage: The nickname "Black Dahlia" stemmed from contemporary film and Short’s rumored style. The media’s handling was exploitative and made the case a spectacle (16:45):
- "The case quickly became a sensationalized spectacle, dominating front page news for months."
5. Police Investigation and Early Leads
- Immediate response: 750 LAPD investigators assigned; collaboration with universities and a $10,000 reward posted (18:42).
- False confessions: Hundreds of false confessions were received, which only muddied the investigation (19:02).
- Killer's taunting messages: The so-called "Black Dahlia Avenger" mailed items belonging to Short, cleaned with gasoline to remove evidence (18:00):
- “An envelope was then sent... Inside was a letter written from cut up paper clippings... the packet had been cleaned with gasoline.” (18:15)
6. Suspects and Theories
- Robert Manley: Her last known companion, cleared by polygraph (21:10).
- George Hodel: LA physician; accused by his own son, Steve Hodel. Police surveillance caught discussions about the crimes, but no charges were filed (23:08).
- Leslie Dillon: Former mortician’s assistant—the subject of a 2017 book was connected via alleged evidence from the Astor Motel (24:31).
- Other theories:
7. The Crime’s Enduring Legacy
- Death and exploitation in Hollywood remain intertwined with the Black Dahlia story.
- "The case has endured as a symbol of Hollywood's darker underbelly, tied up with themes of exploitation, broken dreams and sensationalist media." (27:02)
- The murder remains unsolved and continues to attract attention and speculation.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the Media’s Sensationalism:
- "A significant aspect of the case's notoriety stemmed from the media sensation surrounding it. The examiner selling the most copies it had since the end of the second World War." (16:35)
- On Medical Expertise:
- "Hemicorporectomy... leading investigators to believe that whoever killed Elizabeth had medical knowledge and training." (14:25)
- Enduring Fascination:
- "Despite all of the theories, the Black Dahlia's killer has never been found and justice for Elizabeth Short has never been served." (27:55)
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 06:15 | Elizabeth Short’s father fakes his death | | 10:30 | Last seen at the Biltmore Hotel | | 12:00 | Discovery of Elizabeth’s body and crime scene description | | 14:25 | Explanation of hemicorporectomy and implications | | 16:04 | The Examiner’s cruel trick on Elizabeth’s mother | | 16:45 | Origins of the Black Dahlia nickname and press frenzy | | 18:15 | The killer’s taunting letter and evidence sent to examiner | | 21:10 | Suspect: Robert Manley cleared | | 23:08 | Suspect: George Hodel and LAPD investigation | | 24:31 | Suspect: Leslie Dillon and new theories | | 25:58 | Theory: Cleveland Torso Murders connection | | 26:30 | Theory: Chicago Lipstick Murders connection | | 27:02 | The Black Dahlia as a cultural symbol; unsolved mystery | | 27:55 | Closing statement on the enduring mystery and lack of resolution |
Conclusion
Gary Arndt delivers a concise yet thorough account of the Black Dahlia mystery. The episode balances Elizabeth Short’s personal tragedy with the sensationalism of her case, scrutinizes suspects and evidence, and reflects on the societal obsessions that keep the story alive.
It’s a must-listen for fans of true crime and anyone curious about America’s most haunting unsolved murder.