Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder - Part One: The Girl in the Empty Lot

Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder - Part One: The Girl in the Empty Lot

In January 1947, a mother walking through a quiet Los Angeles neighborhood made a horrifying discovery — the bisected body of a young woman posed in a vacant lot.

Within hours, newspapers had a headline that would echo for decades: The Black Dahlia Murder.

In this first episode of BROKEN: The Black Dahlia Murder, host Esther Ludlow revisits the shocking discovery of Elizabeth Short’s body and explores how the media turned one of America’s most brutal crimes into legend.

You’ll learn how police handed reporters nearly unrestricted access to the case, how wild speculation replaced evidence, and how myths — from “party girl” to “femme fatale” — erased the real woman behind the name.

Seventy-eight years later, her story is still broken by rumor and sensationalism.

Now, Once Upon a Crime seeks to restore the truth.

In this six-part series, Esther will uncover the real Elizabeth Short — and tell the story the headlines never did.

About This Series

BROKEN: The Black Dahlia Murder is a six-part Once Upon a Crime original series.

Through extensive research, historical records, and firsthand accounts, Esther Ludlow uncovers the truth behind America’s most infamous unsolved murder, separating fact from fiction to rediscover the real woman behind the myth.

Upcoming episode:

Part Two: Discovering Elizabeth - The true biography of Elizabeth Short: her childhood, her dreams, and how her life led her to Los Angeles.

Release date: October 25th

Sources & References

  • Los Angeles Police Department and FBI case archives and reports.
  • “Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood” by William J. Mann, Simon & Schuster, (Advanced Reader Copy), Publication date: January 13, 2026.
  • “Severed: The True Story of the Black Dahlia Murder” by John Gilmore.
  • Historic articles from the Los Angeles Times and The Examiner (1947). (Accessed on Newspapers.com.)


Sponsors:

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https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/


Links:

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Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

Killer Hearts to Hearts: https://www.killerhearttohearts.com/podcast

Crime Salad: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crime-salad/id1457141569


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Monstrous Moms and Dastardly Dads: John List

Monstrous Moms and Dastardly Dads: John List

In 1971, an entire family is found murdered in their home—meticulously executed by the very man who was supposed to protect them. John List, a devout churchgoer and seemingly devoted father, killed his wife, mother, and children before vanishing without a trace. For nearly two decades, authorities searched for the elusive killer. How did he evade capture for so long? And what finally led to his shocking discovery? In this episode of Monstrous Moms & Dastardly Dads, we uncover the chilling case of John List—a man who believed murder was his only way out. 🕵️‍♂️🏡🔫 #TrueCrime #JohnList #FamilyAnnihilator #MonstrousMoms #DastardlyDads 📢 Follow & Support the Show: Email: esther@truecrimepodcast.com Facebook: Once Upon a Crime Podcast Twitter: @UponACrime Patreon: www.patreon.com/OnceUponaCrime See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11 Huhti 20171h 17min

Monstrous Moms and Dastardly Dads: Diane Downs

Monstrous Moms and Dastardly Dads: Diane Downs

A quiet Oregon road. A frantic mother covered in blood. Three children shot in cold blood. In 1983, Diane Downs burst into a hospital emergency room, claiming a stranger had ambushed her family in a brutal attack. But as investigators dug deeper, her story unraveled, revealing a tale of obsession, deception, and unthinkable betrayal. Could a mother really commit the unthinkable? Join us as we uncover the chilling details of this shocking case and the dark secrets that led to one of the most infamous trials in true crime history. 🎧 Listen now—if you dare. 🔗 Support the show and unlock exclusive content: www.patreon.com/OnceUponaCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #TrueCrime #DianeDowns #CrimeStory #MurderMystery #TwistedTales #OnceUponACrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3 Huhti 20171h 7min

Murder Methods - Mass Murder: Female Mass Murderers

Murder Methods - Mass Murder: Female Mass Murderers

Mass murder is often associated with male perpetrators, but history holds chilling exceptions. In this episode, we uncover the rare and terrifying phenomenon of female mass murderers—women who shattered the stereotype and left devastation in their wake. From the U.S. to Germany to Kuwait, these shocking cases reveal the dark motives and deadly methods behind some of the most notorious female mass killers. What drives a woman to commit such an unthinkable act? And how do their crimes compare to their male counterparts? Tune in as we explore these haunting cases and the psychology behind them. 🎧 Listen now—because the truth is often more terrifying than fiction. Resources: 📌 Dept. of Homeland Security – How to Respond to an Active Shooter Situation 📌 ADT Webinar – Active Shooter Preparedness and Response 🔗 More true crime content: www.truecrimepodcast.com 📧 Contact us: esther@truecrimepodcast.com 🎙️ Check out Suspect Convictions: www.SuspectConvictions.com #TrueCrimePodcast #TrueCrime #MassMurder #FemaleKillers #CrimeStory #OnceUponACrime #DarkHistory See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

27 Maalis 201725min

Murder Methods - Mass Murder: The San Ysidro McDonald's Massacre

Murder Methods - Mass Murder: The San Ysidro McDonald's Massacre

July 18, 1984—lunchtime at a bustling McDonald’s in San Ysidro, California turned into a nightmare. A heavily armed man walked in and, without warning, unleashed terror on innocent customers and employees. By the time the siege was over, 21 men, women, and children lay dead in what was, at the time, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. What led to this horrifying act of violence? Who was the man behind the massacre, and what drove him to commit such a brutal crime? In this episode, we examine the chilling details, the harrowing survivor accounts, and the lasting impact of this tragedy. 🎧 Listen now—because history should never be forgotten. 🔗 Support the show and access exclusive content: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime #TrueCrimePodcast #MassMurder #SanYsidroMcDonaldsMassacre #CrimeHistory #DarkStories #OnceUponACrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

20 Maalis 201730min

Murder Methods - Mass Murder: Richard Speck and The Crime of the Century

Murder Methods - Mass Murder: Richard Speck and The Crime of the Century

On a hot July night in 1966, terror descended upon a quiet Chicago townhouse. Eight young student nurses were brutally murdered—one by one—at the hands of a cold-blooded killer. By morning, only one survivor remained to tell the harrowing tale. This is the case of Richard Speck, a drifter with a violent past who committed one of the most shocking mass murders in American history. How did he gain access to the nurses’ dormitory? What psychological demons drove him to kill? And how did the lone survivor help bring him to justice? Join us as we unravel the chilling details of the crime that gripped a nation and changed history forever. 🎧 Listen now—because some nightmares are real. 📖 Book Recommendation: The Crime of the Century: Richard Speck and the Murders that Shocked a Nation – Dennis Breo & William J. Martin 🔗 Support the show and get exclusive content: www.patreon.com/OnceUponaCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #RichardSpeck #CrimeHistory #MassMurder #CrimeoftheCentury #OnceUponACrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 Maalis 201752min

Murder Methods - Mass Murder: Howard Unruh and the Walk of Death

Murder Methods - Mass Murder: Howard Unruh and the Walk of Death

On September 6, 1949, the quiet streets of Camden, New Jersey, became the scene of America’s first recorded mass shooting. Armed with a Luger pistol and a hit list, World War II veteran Howard Unruh walked through his neighborhood, killing 13 people in just 12 minutes. What drove this seemingly ordinary man to commit such a brutal rampage? Was it lingering trauma from the war, personal grudges, or something even darker? In this episode, we break down the events of that fateful day, the psychology behind Unruh’s actions, and how his case shaped the way we understand mass murderers today. 🎧 Listen now—because history’s darkest moments still echo today. 🔗 Support the show and get exclusive content: www.Patreon.com/OnceUponaCrime 📢 Follow for more true crime: 🌐 www.truecrimepodcast.com #TrueCrimePodcast #MassMurder #HowardUnruh #WalkofDeath #CrimeHistory #OnceUponACrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

7 Maalis 201724min

Sweetheart Killers: The Lonely Hearts Killers

Sweetheart Killers: The Lonely Hearts Killers

They promised love—but delivered death. In the 1940s, Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck posed as a charming couple seeking romance through "Lonely Hearts" ads. But behind their affectionate facade lurked something far more sinister. Together, they deceived, robbed, and ultimately murdered vulnerable women searching for companionship. What drove this twisted pair to kill? How did their deadly scheme unravel? And what fate awaited them when justice finally caught up? Join us as we uncover the dark and disturbing true story of The Lonely Hearts Killers—a case of love, deception, and murder. 🎧 Listen now—because not every love story has a happy ending. 🔗 For more true crime content: 🌐 www.truecrimepodcast.com ❤️ Support the show & get exclusive content: www.Patreon.com/OnceUponaCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #LonelyHeartsKillers #SweetheartKillers #CrimeHistory #DarkLoveStories #OnceUponACrime   Thank you and congrats to Podcast 1289 - our 1500th Twitter follower!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28 Helmi 201734min

Sweetheart Killers: Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate

Sweetheart Killers: Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate

In 1958, two teenagers left a trail of blood across America’s heartland. Charles Starkweather, 19, and Caril Fugate, 14, embarked on a brutal killing spree that claimed 11 lives in just two months. Fueled by rebellion, rage, and a deadly sense of invincibility, their crimes shocked the nation and inspired films, books, and even a haunting Bruce Springsteen song. Was Caril a willing accomplice or a hostage trapped in Starkweather’s deadly fantasy? What drove this young couple to kill? And how did their rampage finally come to an end? Join us as we unravel the chilling true story of America’s Teenage Killers. 🎶 Music Feature: Nebraska – Bruce Springsteen 🎧 Listen now—because some love stories are written in blood. 🔗 Support the show & unlock exclusive content: www.patreon.com/OnceUponaCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Spreekillers #TeenageKillers #AmericanMurderers #CouplesWhoKill #OnceUponACrime  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Helmi 20171h 9min

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