The Black Dahlia Murder: Inside Elizabeth Short’s Unsolved Killing | ET Uncovered
In the dark underbelly of Hollywood’s past lies one of the most notorious unsolved murders in history – the tragic death of Elizabeth Short, known as the Black Dahlia. ET takes a closer look at the twisted tale that continues to captivate the public nearly seven decades later.
On January 15, 1947, the mutilated body of 22-year-old Elizabeth Short was discovered in Leimert Park, Los Angeles. A reporter, in a rare interview with ET, recounted stumbling upon Short’s remains before the police arrived at the scene. The young woman had gained notoriety for her head-to-toe gothic appearance, which led newspapers to dub her the Black Dahlia, in reference to Veronica Lake’s 1946 film noir.
The gruesome murder sparked an unprecedented media frenzy and a manhunt for the killer. However, despite the efforts of LA detectives and countless cleared suspects, the case remains unsolved to this day. Inspired by the chilling mystery of Short’s death, bestselling crime novelist James Ellroy penned ‘The Black Dahlia’ in 1987, reigniting public interest in the cold case.
Over the years, numerous individuals have come forward claiming to know the identity of Short’s killer, but their theories have all remained unsubstantiated. One such theory involves George Hodel, a one-time suspect in the case, whose son Steve Hodel believes matches the profile of the Black Dahlia’s murderer. This theory was further explored in Brian De Palma’s film adaptation of Ellroy’s novel, as well as in Patty Jenkins and Chris Pine’s miniseries, ‘I Am the Night.’
Through various adaptations and retellings of the Black Dahlia story, the public’s fascination with the case endures. From Mia Kirshner’s portrayal of Short in the 2006 film to Mena Suvari’s appearance in ‘American Horror Story,’ the mystery surrounding Elizabeth Short’s death continues to haunt Hollywood to this day. Despite the numerous theories and suspects, no one has ever been formally charged in connection with the Black Dahlia murder, leaving the case shrouded in darkness and intrigue.
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