The Black Dahlia Murder Case - Lecture 2-April 19, 2022 Frank Wood - William & Mary
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The Black Dahlia
Murder Case
Lecture 2—April 19, 2022
Frank Wood
frwood2@comcast.net
Frank Wood, April 2022Black Dahlia—Lecture 2 Overview
• Questions/Comments from last lecture
• Autopsy and Cause of Death
• 1947 LAPD investigation
• Late 1948-early 1949 developments
• 1949 L. A. County Grand Jury re-investigation (November
1949—March 1950)
• Subsequent developments
Frank Wood, April 2022Black Dahlia—Recently Discovered
Information Source
• Series of You Tube videos made by Darcana Investigations
• Seventeen videos to date. Average length about 30 minutes
• Videos date from December 2021
• Refers to Black Dahlia case as “minefield of fact, myth and speculation”
• No uniquely new information, but in-depth and appears to identify myths and
speculation
• Profiles several of the “solutions” to the crime and goes into depth about
various suspects
• Videos are copyrighted by David Johanek who appears to be a self-published
horror fiction writer (reference to a Facebook listing)
Frank Wood, April 2022Autopsy and Cause of Death
Black Dahlia Murder Case
Frank Wood, April 2022Black Dahlia—Circumstances/Cause of Death
• Autopsy conducted on the morning of January 16, 1947
• Attendance limited to two coroners, Harry Hansen, and Ray Pinker
• Autopsy conducted by Dr. Frederick Newbarr, Chief Autopsy Surgeon for the County of
Los Angeles, with Dr. Victor Cefalu assisting
• Cause of death determined to be hemorrhage and shock due to deep knife lacerations of
the face and repeated blows by a heavy metal object to the face and right forehead.
Estimated time of death was within 24 hours of discovery of the corpse.
• Other mutilations and injuries were post-mortem. No indication of sexual assault.
• Bisection (“hemicorpectomy”) performed with different instrument than used to slash
face. Likely done by someone with “advanced medical knowledge” in a setting with
continuously running water. “One fine piece of surgery”.
• Autopsy kept “sealed”. Photos leaked in 1990’s. Handwritten copies leaked
• Partially read into record at Coroners Inquest on January 22, 1947
Frank Wood, April 2022Black Dahlia—Condition of the Corpse
• Facts • Myths
• Different instruments used to inflict • Infantile sexual organs
facial wounds & bisect body • Asserted but Not Certain
• Ligature marks on wrists, ankles and • Cigarette burns on body
neck
• Body was drained of blood and • Crude hysterectomy
thoroughly washed • Tox screen attempted
• Indication of Bartholian Cyst • Initials carved into pubis
• Trauma to the body: • “Foreign” hair follicles found on body
• Bi-section • Fecal matter may have been fertilizer
• Cuts extending mouth
• Blows to head and face
• Cuts to breasts, pubic region, left thigh
• Flesh inserted into anus and vagina
• Fecal matter in stomach
Frank Wood, April 2022Black Dahlia—Coroner’s Inquest
• Conducted at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, January 22, 1947
• Physical identification made by mother and older sister
• Testimony by: Phoebe Short, Lt. Jesse Haskins, Red Manley, Harry
Hansen and Dr. Frederick Newbarr
• Only a portion of the autopsy report was read at the inquest
• Cause of death determined to be hemorrhage, shock and brain
concussion due to deep knife lacerations of the face and repeated
blows by a heavy metal object to the face and right forehead by
“person or persons unknown”
• Coroners’ jury concluded it was a homicide
Frank Wood, April 20221947 Investigation
LAPD and L. A. Newspapers
Frank Wood, April 20221947 Black Dahlia Investigation--Overview
• Intensive information gathering by LA newspapers and LAPD
• Encompassed mid-January 1947 through February 1947
• Principal Investigative Activities:
• Canvas the area around 39th and S. Norton for witnesses (newspapers & LAPD)
• Identify movements of Elizabeth prior to January 9, 1947 (newspapers & LAPD)
• Identify movements of Elizabeth between January 9 and January 14, 1947– “missing
week” (newspapers & LAPD)
• Identify and interview “known associates” of Elizabeth (newspapers & LAPD)
• Follow-up tips and confessions regarding Black Dahlia murder (newspapers & LAPD)
• Identify where the murder took place (newspapers & LAPD)
Frank Wood, April 2022Black Dahlia—Movements of Elizabeth Short
1/43-9/43
Vallejo, 5/46-7/46 12/8/46-1/8/47
Camp Chicago & San Diego
Cooke & Long Beach staying with
Santa French family
Barbara,
CA
9/43-5/46 8/46-12/46
MA-Summer 4 locations in 1/9/47-1/15/47
FL-Winter Hollywood Biltmore Hotel
CA maybe Fall Missing Week???
‘44 & S. Norton Ave
Summer’45
Frank Wood, April 2022Black Dahlia—1947 Investigation Timeline (1 of 2)
1/18 -1/20/47 1/25/47
Trunk & Luggage Beth’s
Discovered belongings
1/15/47 Red Manley ID’d received by
Crime & Questioned newspapers &
LAPD
1/16/47 1/23/47
Late Jan/Early Feb
Autopsy & J. Richardson
series of BDA notes
receives call
ID of Victim received by newspapers
from BD
and LAPD
killer
Frank Wood, April 2022Black Dahlia—LAPD Bulletin on Missing Week
Frank Wood, April 2022Black Dahlia—1947 Investigation Timeline (2 of 2)
2/5/47 Mid-Feb 1947 During 1947
Confession of Series of news Capt. Donohoe
Corporal stories linking reassigned to
Joseph “lone women” Robbery
Dumais murders Division
2/10/47 February ‘47
A. Underwood 1947-48
Discovery of
corpse of promoted to
City Editor of Ongoing investigation
Jeanne
French LA Herald- Diminished news
Express coverage
Frank Wood, April 2022Biltmore Hotel
• Located at 506 S. Grand Avenue, near
Pershing Square
• Opened in 1923 as largest hotel west of
Chicago
• 70,000 sq. ft., 1,500 guest rooms
• Early home of Academy Awards
• During WWII served as military rest and
recreation facility
Frank Wood, April 2022Black Dahlia—”Missing Week” Chronology
Witness Date/Time Location
Mr. Studholme 1/9/47, 7 to 10pm Biltmore Hotel, Downtown LA
Name withheld by LAPD 1/10/47 evening 7200 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood
Miss Iris Menuay 1/10/47, 8:30pm Chancellor Hotel, Hollywood
Christine Salisburg 1/10/47, 10:00pm 7290 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood
Buddy LaGore 1/10/47, 11:30pm Four Star Bar & Grille, Hollywood
Name withheld by LAPD 1/11/47, 2:30am Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills
Mr. Paul Simone 1/11/47, daytime Chancellor Hotel, Hollywood
Mr. I. A. Jorgenson 1/11/47, afternoon Rosslyn Hotel, Downtown LA
A. Toth, C. Starr, M. Hansen 1/11/47, 9:00pm 6024 Carlos Avenue. H’wood
Mr./Mrs. William Johnson 1/12/47, 11:30am Hotel 300 E. Wash. Blvd, DTLA
Mr. C. G. Williams 1/12/47, 3:00pm Dugout Café, Downtown LA
Frank Wood, April 2022Black Dahlia—”Missing Week” Chronology
Witness Date/Time Location
Ms. Bettie Blake 1/12/47, evening Gay Way Bar, Downtown, LA
Mr. John Jiroudek 1/13/47, unstated hour Hollywood & Highland Sts, H’wood
Officer Mryl Mc Bride 1/14/47, 3:30 to 4:00pm Bus Depot, 6th & Main, DTLA
• Approximately half of the sightings were by individuals who previously knew E. Short
• Two instances seen in 1942 Chrysler coupe driven by a blonde woman
• Two instances seen in company of two women, one a tall blonde, the other with long dark hair
• One instance seen riding in 1937 Ford sedan
• One instance seen with two men and a woman which was the same configuration as visited the
French home in San Diego
Frank Wood, April 2022Robert “Red” Manley
• Hardware salesman who drove Elizabeth
from San Diego to L.A. on January 8 and
9, 1947
• First “hot suspect” in Black Dahlia murder
• Detained for questioning on January 18
• Exonerated via polygraphs and alibi for
evening of January 14
• Told LAPD/newspapers that Elizabeth’s
luggage was at Greyhound Bus Station
• Identified Elizabeth’s purse and shoe after
retrieval from trash on Crenshaw Blvd.
Frank Wood, April 2022Pictures of Beth’s Belongings
Frank Wood, April 2022Beth’s Belongings Received by LA Examiner
• Birth Certificate
• Social Security Card
• ID
• Telegram
• Claim checks for luggage at downtown bus station
• Business cards of acquaintances
• Photographs
• Leather bound address book with pages removed
• Mark Hansen and 1937 embossed on cover
• Contained 75 entries in E. Short handwriting
Frank Wood, April 2022Black Dahlia Avenger Communications--1947
1/25/47 1/29/47 1/31/47
Package of Two notes (cutout Six notes most
items; letters) proposing signed “BDA”.
letter to terms for 1st message w/
follow surrender photo of Robles
1/27/47 1/30/47
Cutout letter 2/1/47
Handwritten
postcard. note indicating
no surrender 2nd message w/
Killer will
surrender because would Photo of Robles
on 1/29 not get “square
deal”
Frank Wood, April 2022Mark Hansen
• Approximately 55 years old in
1947
• Originally from Denmark
• In L.A. since 1920’s
• Owned string of movie theatres
plus Florentine Gardens night club
(girly review)
• Provided housing to young
women trying to break into the
entertainment business
• Alleged ties to organized crime
• Protected by LAPD?
Frank Wood, April 2022Picture of Black Dahlia Avenger Note
Frank Wood, April 2022Jeanne French
The “Red Lipstick
Murder” Victim
• Naked corpse found in vacant lot on
February 10, 1947
• Cause of death: beating and stomping
• Age 44 at time of death
• Married four times
• Nickname “The Flying Nurse”
• Was a studio-contract actress in early
1930’s under name of Jeanne Thomas
• Estranged from her husband and likely
alcoholic at the time of her death
• “Fxxx-you BD” written in lipstick on torso
Frank Wood, April 20221947 Investigation—Overview
• 200 to 300 officers participated in investigations
• Hundreds of leads and dozens of false confessions
• LAPD reportedly had secret suspect elimination questions
• Minimal witnesses to body dump were located
• Questions persisted regarding the character of Beth Short
• Belief that murderer possessed “advanced medical knowledge”
• Suspicion that there was an abortionist connection
• No discovery of where the murder took place
• No motive established
Frank Wood, April 20221947 Investigation—Overview
• No identification of person(s) who taunted the LAPD and newspapers
• “Lost Week” (January 9 through January 14) was officially
unaccounted for despite a number of alleged sightings of Elizabeth
between January 9 and January 14
• Primarily Herald-Express suggested that BD case might be linked to
Jeanne French murder and other “lone woman” murders. Official LAPD
position was that it was stand alone
• Minimal physical evidence. A confession needed for conviction
• No suspect formally charged despite publicity around Manley and
Dumais
• Interest by newspapers waned by the spring of 1947
• Police continued to monitor “tips” and track down KA’s and leads
Frank Wood, April 20221947 Investigation—Loose Ends
• Information from proprietors of an East Washington Boulevard Hotel that
Elizabeth Short and a man (Mr. Barnes) rented a room on January 12
• Account by policewoman Mryl McBride that Elizabeth Short had come up to
her in fear in downtown Los Angeles on January 14
• Witness Bob Meyer’s account of seeing a 1936 or 1937 black Ford sedan stop
at the curb near where the body was found early on the morning of Jan. 15
• Witnesses who claimed to have seen Beth Short between January 9 and 14
often in the company of other women
• Large number of confessions or “tips” about the crime (“confessing Sams”)
Frank Wood, April 2022Follow-up Investigations
1948-1950
Frank Wood, April 2022October 1948 to April 1950--Developments
• New suspect emerged in late 1948/early 1949
• Dr. Paul De River, LAPD Psychiatrist, was monitoring all BD tips and
confessions
• Became very interested in a letter received from Miami, FL on October, 28
1948
• Letter writer “Jack Sand” turned out to be Leslie D. Dillon, a hotel bellboy
who had been in CA at time of BD murder
• Dillon meets with Dr. De River in Las Vegas starting on December 28, 1948
• Extensively questioned by Dr. De River and members of LAPD Gangster
Squad from Dec. 28 until Jan. 10
Frank Wood, April 2022October 1948 to April 1950--Developments
• New suspect emerged in late 1948/early 1949 (continued)
• Presented to newspapers as a “hot suspect” on January 10, 1949
• Released without being charged on Jan. 11; “not in L.A. on date of
murder”
• Dillon sues City of Los Angeles but drops suit after being accused of a
hotel burglary
• Gangster squad detectives continue to investigate movements of Dillon
and identify Aster Motel as a possible murder location
• Dr. De River’s reputation is tarnished and he resigns from LAPD in August
1950 amid a change in Police Chief and pressure from L.A. City Council
Frank Wood, April 2022Dr. J. Paul De River
• LAPD police psychiatrist 1937-1950
• Credited with second ever case of criminal
profiling, Albert Dyer, the Inglewood babes
killer in 1937
• One of the authors of the Sexual Criminal, a
textbook of forensic psychiatry in 1949
• Identified Leslie D. Dillon as Black Dahlia
murder suspect in Oct.-Dec. 1948
• May have been considered a “rat” by certain
members of LAPD for his testimony before
1949 Grand Jury.
• Convicted of improperly maintaining
prescription records in July 1950
• LAPD police psychologist position abolished
in August 1950
Frank Wood, April 2022Leslie D. Dillon
• Originally from Oklahoma
• 27 years old in late 1948
• Dishonorably discharged from
Navy/Marines for theft
• Drifter who worked as bellhop in L.A., S.F.
and Miami
• Suspected to be involved in pimping and
hotel burglaries
• Claimed to have worked as a mortician’s
assistant in Oklahoma City
• Drug user (Benzadrine, Phenobarbital)
• De River pegged Dillon as sexually
frustrated and a “sadist type”
Frank Wood, April 2022October 1948 to April 1950—Developm’ts
(cont)
• 1949 L.A. County Grand Jury
• Took up re-investigating the Black Dahlia case
• Sequenced after investigation into LAPD corruption involving Mickey
Cohen and LAPD involvement with Hollywood madam Brenda Allen
• Principal DA investigators were Lt. Frank Jemison and Sgt. Walter Morgan
• Investigation spanned November and December 1949 and initially focused
on Leslie Dillon. Re-affirmed that Dillion was not in L.A. on January 14 ‘47
• Extensive testimony from LAPD homicide detectives and members of
Gangster Squad, including investigation of Dillon after his release
• DA investigators re-interview many individuals from 1947 investigation
• New suspect, Dr. George Hodel, is identified in late 1949 and investigated
in early 1950.
Frank Wood, April 2022Lt. Frank Jemison
• Migrated from Ohio to West Coast
• Made a fortune in real estate before
becoming a DA’s investigator
• Had a reputation as a man of
impeccable integrity
• Re-investigated BD case in 1949 and
1950
• Maintained a duplicate file of his
investigation which he placed in the
L.A. County District Attorney’s vault
and which was discovered in 2004.
Frank Wood, April 2022Dr. George Hodel
• 40 years old in 1947
• Brilliant, fashionable Hollywood physician
who ran a venereal disease clinic and served
as venereal disease public health officer for
L.A. County
• Dabbled in mystic Eastern religions,
Surrealistic art and the occult.
• Lived on Franklin Ave (Hollywood) in a
house resembling a Mayan temple where he
was rumored to host sex parties
• Speculation of being involved in illegal
abortions
• Accused of incest by his 14 year old
daughter in the fall of 1949. He was
acquitted when his daughter’s credibility
was disparaged partly because she claimed
he was the BD killer
• Investigated by D.A. investigators after his
incest acquittal which included electronic
surveillance of his residence
• Left U.S. in early April 1950, never charged
Frank Wood, April 2022Sowden House
• Located on Franklin Ave. in
Hollywood
• Built by Lloyd Wright (son of Frank
Lloyd Wright) In 1926
• Neo-Mayan design around a
central courtyard
• Owned and occupied by Dr. Geo
Hodel from mid-1940’s until spring
of 1950
• Extensively renovated in 2001
Frank Wood, April 2022April 1947 to April 1950—Developm’ts (cont)
• 1949 L.A. County Grand Jury (continued)
• Conclusion: “Testimony given by certain investigation officers
working on this case was clear and well defined, while other
officers showed apparent evasiveness. There was not sufficient
time left to the jury to complete this investigation, and this
grand jury recommends that the 1950 Grand Jury continue the
probe into the Black Dahlia case”.
Frank Wood, April 2022Situation by End of 1950/Early 1951
• 1950 L.A. Country Grand Jury declined to take up Black Dahlia case
• April 1950—Dr. George Hodel leaves Los Angeles and the U. S.
• August 1950--William Parker becomes Chief of the LAPD
• February 1951--Frank Jemison issues final report to his superiors in District
Attorney’s office
• No conclusions about BD perpetrator, motive or murder site
• Rehashed list of suspects—Dr. George Hodel and Mark Hansen are
listed. A number of suspected abortionists are listed.
• No mention of Leslie Dillon on list of suspects
• 1950 Grand Jury has shown no interest in continuing the investigation
• Agreement with LAPD that case would “never be assumed by DA
again”
Frank Wood, April 2022Black Dahlia Suspects per D. A. Investigators
Frank Wood, April 2022Post 1950 Developments
• Newspaper rehashes every few years on anniversary of crime
• Chapter in Jack Webb’s 1958 True Crime book The Badge
• Made for TV Movie Who Is the Black Dahlia? (1975)
• BD case interwoven into John Gregory Dunne’s fictional novel True Confessions
(1977) which was also a major motion picture (1981)
• Central to the plot of James Ellroy’s fictional novel The Black Dahlia (1987)
• BD Murder featured in an episode of Hunter T. V. series (1988)
• John Gilmore publishes Severed in 1995. 1st true crime “solution” of BD case
• Janice Knowlton and Michael Newton publish Daddy was the BD Killer (1995)
• John Douglas, founder of FBI BAU, publishes a profile of the BD killer
• Mary Pacios publishes Childhood Shadows The Hidden Story of the BD Murder
(1999)
Frank Wood, April 2022Post 1950 Developments (cont)
• Steve Hodel publishes Black Dahlia Avenger (2003) BDA II 2013 and BDA III 2018
• True crime TV shows profile Black Dahlia case (Dateline, 48 Hours, Cold Case Files,
Unsolved Mysteries) (2004 to 2006)
• Larry Harnisch publishes a solution to the crime on his website lmharnisch.com
(2003)
• BD files released by L.A. County District Attorney (2004)
• Donald Wolfe publishes The Black Dahlia Files (2005)
• The Black Dahlia movie (2006) is released based on the 1987 Ellroy fictional novel
• Websites devoted to Black Dahlia murder appear
• Pamela Hazelton (bethshort.com)—Dark since 2016
• Larry Harnisch—lmharnisch.com, ladailymirror.com
• Steve Hodel--stevehodel.com (Squadroom blog)
• Piu Eatwell publishes Black Dahlia, Red Rose (2017)
• Numerous podcasts appear—Most Notorious and Stephanie Harlow recommended
Frank Wood, April 2022Black Dahlia Murder
Lecture 2
Additional Slides
Frank Wood, April 2022Elizabeth Short—Overview of Movements
• Significant movements as discovered by newspapers and LAPD
• January 1943—Travels to Vallejo, CA to reunite with her father
• Spring 1943—Works in PX at Camp Cooke—Lompac, CA
• September 1943—Arrested in Santa Barbara, CA for underage in a bar
• Fall 1943-Spring 1945—Medford and Florida, photos taken with several
servicemen including Major Matt Gordon (claimed fiancé)
• Summer 1945—In Medford for some period. Receives news of death of
Major Matt Gordon
• Spring 1946—Travels from Medford to LA. Travels west to be with Lt. Gordon
Fickling. Spends time in Long Beach. Becomes known as the “Black Dahlia”
• Summer/Fall 1946—Lived temporarily at several places in Hollywood,
including house owned by Mark Hansen, owner of Florentine Gardens
Frank Wood, April 2022Elizabeth Short—Overview of Movements
• Significant movements as discovered by newspapers and LAPD (cont.)
• December 1946—Travels abruptly to San Diego
• December 1946-January 1947—Stays with the French family in Pacific Beach
• January 8 & 9, 1947—Returns to Los Angeles with Robert (Red) Manley
• January 9, 1947—Spends several hours in the lobby of the Biltmore Hotel.
Observed trying to reach someone by phone.
• January 9, 1947—Seen leaving Biltmore by Olive Street door and turns south
• January 9 through 14, 1947—”Missing Week”
• January 15, 1947—Corpse discovered on South Norton Avenue
Frank Wood, April 20221947 Investigation—Selected Dates
• January 16—Autopsy
• January 16—Identification of Victim
• January 18—Detention of Red Manley for Questioning
• January 18 & 20—Discovery of Beth Short’s trunk and luggage
• January 22—Coroner’s Inquest
• January 23—Call received by City Editor L. A. Examiner
• January 24—Beth’s shoe and purse found in trash on Crenshaw Ave.
• January 25—Package of Beth’s belongings received at L. A. Examiner
• Late January-early February—Series of Notes from Black Dahlia Avenger
Frank Wood, April 20221947 Investigation—Selected Dates
(continued)
• February 6—Confession of Corporal Joseph Dumais reported by newspapers
• February 10—Discovery of corpse of Jeanne French. Crime dubbed the “Red
Lipstick Murder”
• Naked corpse found in vacant lot
• Victim was beaten and stomped to death
• Writing on corpse appears to refer to Black Dahlia
• February 1947—Aggie Underwood “kicked upstairs” to become city editor of
L.A. Herald Express
• 1947—Capt. Jack Donahoe summarily transferred from Commander of
Central Homicide to head of Robbery Division
Frank Wood, April 2022You can also read
