Black Dahlia
Unsolved murder victim known as the Black Dahlia.
Elizabeth Short (July 29, 1924 – c. Her case became highly publicized owing to the gruesome nature of the crime, which included the mutilation and bisection of her corpse. Her unsolved murder and the details surrounding it have had a lasting cultural impact, generating various theories and public speculation, and it is frequently cited as one of the most famous unsolved murders in U.S. history.
- born
- July 29, 1924, Hyde Park, Boston, Massachusetts
- field
- Waitress; aspiring actress (no known acting credits)
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Unsolved murder; posthumous nickname 'Black Dahlia'
Lore & Background
Short suffered from bronchitis and severe asthma, and after lung surgery at age 15, she spent winters in Florida. She had no known acting jobs or credits. Her face had been slashed into a Glasgow smile, and her body had been drained of blood and posed. The autopsy revealed ligature marks, cuts, and that the bisection was performed after death. The cause of death was hemorrhaging from facial lacerations and shock from blows to the head.
Reader's Guide
Elizabeth Short's murder, known as the Black Dahlia case, is one of the most famous unsolved murders in U.S. history and one of the oldest unsolved cases in Los Angeles County. The gruesome nature of the crime—including mutilation, bisection, and posing of the body—captured national attention and has been credited by historians as one of the first major crimes in postwar America to do so. Short's life and death continue to be a subject of cultural fascination, though she had no known acting credits and her aspirations to be a film star remain unconfirmed.
Did You Know?
- Elizabeth Short was the third of five daughters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Black Dahlia?
Elizabeth Short was an American woman born in Boston in 1924 who was found dead in Los Angeles in January 1947. Her case became one of the most widely recognized unsolved murders in U.S. history.
How was Elizabeth Short killed?
Her body was discovered in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 15, 1947, after being severely mutilated and cut in half. The graphic nature of the scene turned the case into a national sensation almost immediately.
Who killed the Black Dahlia?
No one has ever been charged or convicted for her death. Despite extensive investigation and decades of speculation, the identity of her killer remains unknown.
Why is she called the Black Dahlia?
The nickname was given to her by a local Los Angeles newspaper following the discovery of her body. It quickly entered the public lexicon and is now the name by which she is universally identified.
What was Elizabeth Short's life like before her murder?
She was born on July 29, 1924, in Hyde Park, Boston, and supported herself as a waitress while hoping to land roles in Hollywood. She had no known professional acting credits before her death.
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