The brutal murder of 22-year-old Elizabeth Short in Los Angeles in January 1947 shocked the nation and remains one of the most infamous unsolved murders in American history. Nicknamed “The Black Dahlia,” the case combined horrendous violence, sensational media coverage, and a long list of suspects, but it has never been solved.
The Discovery
On the morning of January 15, 1947, Elizabeth Short’s body was discovered by Betty Bersinger in a vacant lot in the Leimert Park neighbourhood. Elizabeth’s body had been severed in half at the waist, drained of blood, and posed with arms spread. Her face had also been slashed from the corners of her mouth to her ears, creating a chilling “Glasgow smile.” Betty originally thought Short was a mannequin before recognising it was a body and calling the police.
Investigators quickly determined that she had been killed elsewhere and transported to the site. The clean separation of the body suggested medical training or familiarity with anatomy.
The Victim
Elizabeth Short was born in Massachusetts in 1924 and raised during the Depression. In her early twenties, she moved to California with aspirations of becoming an actress. She was described by acquaintances as stylish and ambitious, though newspapers at the time sensationalised her image, dubbing her “The Black Dahlia” after a recent noir film, The Blue Dahlia.
The Letters
In the days following the murder, the Los Angeles Examiner received an envelope containing Short’s personal belongings, including her birth certificate and photographs. They had been cleaned with gasoline to remove fingerprints.
Additional letters followed, some claiming responsibility for the killing, though most were dismissed as hoaxes. The communications echoed later patterns seen in other unsolved cases, such as the Zodiac.
Forensic Evidence
The autopsy revealed extensive trauma. Short’s cause of death was determined to be a combination of cerebral haemorrhage and shock from blows to the head, followed by blood loss. Rope marks on her wrists and ankles indicated she had been bound. Investigators noted ligature marks on her neck, suggesting strangulation attempts before death.
Despite collecting fingerprints from her belongings, none matched suspects or were usable. No murder weapon was ever found. Blood analysis confirmed she was killed elsewhere, likely in an indoor location where her body could be drained and cleaned.
Last Known Movements
Short was last seen alive on January 9, 1947. She was driven from San Diego to Los Angeles by Robert “Red” Manley, who dropped her at the Biltmore Hotel downtown. Staff recalled seeing her in the lobby. Some witnesses later reported sightings at a nearby bar, the Crown Grill, but her whereabouts from that point until her death remain unknown.
The Suspects
Robert “Red” Manley
As the last confirmed person to see Short alive, Manley was the first major suspect. He was interrogated and subjected to polygraph tests, all of which he passed. Police held him under psychiatric observation but ultimately cleared him.
Joseph Dumais
An Army corporal, Dumais confessed to the murder while stationed in Los Angeles. His confession collapsed when military records placed him in New Jersey at the time. He joined a long list of false confessors drawn to the case’s notoriety.
Mark Hansen
A Hollywood nightclub owner, Hansen was acquainted with Short and had given her lodging on occasion. An address book belonging to him was found among her possessions. Though questioned extensively, he denied involvement, and no evidence tied him to the crime.
Dr. George Hodel
Decades later, suspicion focused heavily on George Hodel, a wealthy physician. His medical background aligned with the theory of a skilled dismemberment. In 1949, LAPD wiretapped his home, recording him making suspicious remarks, including one interpreted as an admission. Despite this, he was never charged. His son, retired LAPD detective Steve Hodel, later accused him publicly, pointing to circumstantial evidence and possible police corruption that protected him.
Other Theories
Over 150 suspects have been considered, ranging from medical students to drifters. Some researchers believe organized crime or corrupt police may have played a role, though no hard evidence has ever substantiated these claims.
Legacy
The Black Dahlia murder has remained unsolved for over 75 years. It has become a permanent fixture in Los Angeles folklore, inspiring books, films, and ongoing speculation. Despite advances in forensic science, including attempts at DNA analysis from preserved evidence, no conclusive link has been established to any suspect.
Elizabeth Short’s story endures as both a symbol of Hollywood’s dark underbelly and as a reminder of the human life behind the legend. The identity of her killer remains one of the most haunting mysteries in American crime history.
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