Killer In The Code: Solving The Black Dahlia & Zodiac Cases
Episode: Chapter 9 – Last Man Standing
Host: Michael Connelly
Date: February 12, 2026

Overview

Chapter 9 of Killer In The Code dives deep into the latest discoveries linking Marvin Margolis (a.k.a. Marvin Merrill), the series’ central suspect, to the brutal Black Dahlia and Zodiac killings. Host Michael Connelly unveils new forensic details and discusses their significance with veteran homicide detectives and guest William J. Mann, author of Black Murder, Monsters and Madness in Mid Century Hollywood. Special focus is given to restoring Elizabeth Short’s humanity amidst decades of mythologizing and media sensationalism.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Update on the Investigation and the Elizabeth Sketch

• New Evidence: The "Elizabeth" sketch, created and signed by Marty Merrill (Marvin Margolis) in 1992 while dying of cancer, becomes a focal point. The sketch depicts a nude, dark-haired woman whose wounds and bodily contours closely mirror those suffered by victim Elizabeth Short.
  • Michael Connelly explains how the Baber team and two cold case detectives (Rick Jackson and Missy Ro) cataloged Merrill's property, including the sketch, for forensic examination [01:15–03:57].
• Discovery of Hidden Details:
  • The sketch, when removed from its frame and photographed with a macro lens, revealed a crucial indentation extending from the subject’s mouth—a “Glasgow Smile,” accurately reproducing the torturous wound inflicted upon Short.
  • The sketch had a hidden "Zodiac" word in its shading, strengthening links to the Zodiac case.
  • Rick Jackson describes the forensic discovery:

    “There was an indentation that extended from the left edge of the mouth curled upwards... much like the Dahlia’s body was found with the curled incised wound... It was definitely an indentation...”
    —Rick Jackson [03:57]

  • Connelly clarifies the term (“Glasgow Smile”) as a gang-invented torture method, noting its presence in Short's autopsy and its symbolic significance [05:26].
• Significance:
  • The sketch is seen as a probable “deathbed confession,” offering chilling visual evidence of the link between Margolis and Elizabeth Short [05:26–06:45].

2. Bringing Elizabeth Short into Focus—Beyond the Myth

• Interview with William J. Mann, Author [08:15+]:
  • Mann’s book seeks to humanize Elizabeth (“the victim, not just the myth”).
  • Connelly: “We have not paid enough attention to Elizabeth, the victim... Luckily you have.”
• Elizabeth’s Character – the ‘Wanderlust’:
  • She craved adventure, autonomy, and liberation, motivated by a difficult childhood (father's abandonment, recurring illness, moving frequently for health) [09:24–11:59].
  • Mann notes:

    “She was definitely looking for something, and that wasn’t to be found in her small town.”
    —William J. Mann [11:59]

• Cultural Context:
  • The social transformation of women post-WWII pushed many beyond domesticity, fueling a new sense of agency—Elizabeth Short was part of this trend.
  • Mann: “They had tasted autonomy and... wanted more of it. So Elizabeth was part of that movement of single women making lives for themselves...” [12:16–13:26]

3. Romantic Entanglements and the Lasting Impact

• Matt Gordon and Wartime Romance:
  • Elizabeth became engaged to Matt Gordon (Flying Tigers pilot) after meeting him once; exchanged frequent letters, and he died before their reunion could happen.
  • Mann underscores the emotional blow and speculates on how this loss shaped Short’s longing and independence [13:53–15:35].

4. The Myth vs. The Woman: The ‘Black Dahlia’ Persona

• The Black Dahlia name, created by newspaper reporters posthumously, gave rise to a seductive, noir archetype that bore little resemblance to the real person.
  • Mann highlights:

    “The Black Dahlia is so different, completely different from Elizabeth Short.... She was rather puritanical. She loved to flirt, but she rarely slept with a guy...”
    [15:59–17:40]

  • The myth of her as a “sex worker” or “femme fatale” is shown to be largely fabricated by media narrative.

5. The Media as Villain

• The sensationalist coverage fed red herrings, false confessions, and overwhelmed the police investigation.
  • Mann: “If they didn’t have New Dahlia News, they made stuff up... The media is one of the main reasons why the detectives were unable to zero in on somebody early on.” [18:02–19:48]

6. Contenders and Eliminations—Arriving at the ‘Last Man Standing’

• In both Mann’s research and Baber’s investigation, Marvin Margolis emerges as the sole plausible suspect.
  • Mann details: He possessed both the “how” (medical training, surgical competence) and the “why” (PTSD, deep psychological scars, simmering resentment).

  • “He had the how because he had been in the military... assisted in surgical procedures, and he had the why... rage and resentment at the world, plus the surgical skills.”
    —William J. Mann [21:05]

• Other suspects lacked the constellation of skills, opportunity, and motivation.
• Margolis initially provided an alibi via his wife but reappeared as a suspect in later investigations when old evidence was re-examined [24:53].
  • He moved, changed his name, and even adopted elements of Matt Gordon’s persona.
  • Connelly and Mann find this psychological mimicry—Margolis conflating himself with Gordon—deeply suggestive.

  • “Instead of being the frustrated surgical assistant... now he’s a member of the Flying Tigers... Did Elizabeth ever compare him unfavorably?”
    —William J. Mann [27:10–28:02]

7. Restoring Dignity to Elizabeth Short

• Mann emphasizes remembering Elizabeth Short’s life, not just her murder:

  “Her death was grisly and sensational, but her life, while it was ordinary and unremarkable, is still more important than her death.”
  —William J. Mann [28:55]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the Sketch Discovery:

  “It’s very, very clear... It matches right in line with the curl smile.”
  —Rick Jackson, on the forensic evidence [03:57]

• On Elizabeth’s Myth:

  “She was just a young woman who was 22 years old... just going from place to place, seeing what she could find.”
  —William J. Mann [17:14]

• On the Investigation’s Failings:

  “If they didn’t have New Dahlia News, they made stuff up... The media is one of the main reasons why the detectives were unable to zero in on somebody early on.”
  —William J. Mann [18:02]

• On the ‘How + Why = Who’ Equation:

  “He had the how... and he had the why...”
  —William J. Mann [21:05]

• Humanizing Elizabeth Short:

  “Her life... is still more important than her death.”
  —William J. Mann [28:55]

Important Timestamps

• [00:33] Michael Connelly introduces the episode and the new evidence.
• [03:57] Rick Jackson describes the forensic discovery on the Elizabeth sketch.
• [05:26] Connelly explains the criminal significance of the “Glasgow Smile”.
• [09:24] William J. Mann discusses Elizabeth Short’s wanderlust and early life.
• [13:53] The true story behind Elizabeth’s wartime engagement.
• [15:59] The myth-making around the Black Dahlia persona.
• [18:02] The destructive role of the media in the original investigation.
• [21:05] Why Marvin Margolis stands as the prime suspect.
• [24:53] Margolis’ reemergence as a suspect and change of identity.
• [27:10] Psychological analysis of Margolis' behavior post-crime.
• [28:39] Closing thoughts on remembering Elizabeth Short's legacy.

Tone & Conclusion

The episode balances a somber, investigative tone with moments of empathy, aiming to both break new forensic ground and shift focus from myth to personhood. It challenges listeners to reconsider not just the "who" and "how" of the Black Dahlia mystery, but also "who" Elizabeth Short really was—restoring her humanity after decades of distortion.

For more details and forensic imagery, listeners are directed to episode 9 resources on killerinthecode.com.