What was the real name of the Black Dahlia murder victim of LA?

Elizabeth Short (July 1924 – January 1947) was an American actress; she is the actual person who was known as the Black Dahlia of Los Angeles, California. The Black Dahlia was a nickname given to Elizabeth Short who was the victim of a much publicized murder in 1947. Short acquired the moniker posthumously from newspapers in the habit of nicknaming crimes they found particularly lurid. The "Black Dahlia" nickname may have been derived from a film noir murder mystery, The Blue Dahlia, released in April 1946.

Short was found mutilated, her body sliced in half at the waist, on January 15, 1947, in Leimert Park, Los Angeles, California. Short's unsolved murder has been the source of widespread speculation, leading to many suspects, along with several books, television and film adaptations of the story. Short's murder is one of the oldest unsolved murder cases in Los Angeles history.

At one point in time, it was known that the police had as many as 25 viable suspects in the Black Dahlia murder — seven of whom were doctors.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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37 Comments

Judith Elaine Admire

Several interesting books written on this, one of which was written by the son of one of the suspects. The "Black Dahlia" was supposed to be very glamorous, but in real life, she was a girl down on her luck with constant dental pain. She filled the holes in her teeth with white candle wax before going out for the night. That kind of poor. Whatever, she didn't deserve this end.

Annie

Elizabeth Short - her name. She needs to be remembered as a person.

dlh

No person deserves what happened to Elizabeth or to only be remembered for a murder! God grant her peace!

steve

This gruesome, unsolved murder isn't just a cold case. It has been in the deep freeze for over 70 years!! This sordid affair speaks poorly of the LAPD, which has a history of being corrupt and derelict in their duties. Investigations over the years have been hindered by evidence that has been "lost' or is "missing," and suspects that have been prematurely "cleared." There is a period of about a week between the last sighting of Elizabeth Short, and the discovery of her mutilated, blood-drained corpse. Most of the answers probably can be found in that week, but by now, too much has been forgotten or successfully covered up by associated deaths.

Stephen Forest

I believe the statistic is only about 30 percent of murders are solved in the US, depending on where you live. Not surprising this one not solved.

JohnnyRoulette

The book Severed is the best I’ve read on this case. The details will haunt you forever. Much more disturbing than any movie could depict. Her genitalia was apparently only partially formed, making traditional intercourse impossible. Based on a wound above that area, it could have been the motive.

wandajaneburlinson

An intriguing mystery.

wendyakin new

That is not the answer I clicked

Donna Smith

Missed it.. because I never heard of her.

Juniperbrenda

What an awful story! We have enough current murders, and unsolved murders. Don't need one brought back from 1947! Sad for Elizabeth Short, her family and friends.

Aaron Freeman

The case has been covered numerous times including on True Crime podcasts

Jade L. Bernis

Anita Clark Morton, that was Elizabeth Smart

dvdeaton

Read a bit about her. She desired to live among the wealthy but never completely shed her "humble" background. Is considered one of the first sadistic "serial killer" type homicides..