Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder - Part Two: Becoming Elizabeth

Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder - Part Two: Becoming Elizabeth

Before she became The Black Dahlia, Elizabeth Short was simply Beth — a young woman with big dreams, an open heart, and a longing for something beyond the ordinary. In Part Two: Becoming Elizabeth, we step back in time to uncover the story of the woman behind the legend.

From her childhood in Medford, Massachusetts, through family tragedy, illness, and the Great Depression, we follow Elizabeth’s journey into adolescence — a girl fascinated by Hollywood glamour and determined to create a better life for herself.

We trace her adventures from the frozen streets of New England to the sun-drenched beaches of Florida and the military bases of California during World War II. Along the way, we meet the men who loved her — and the heartbreaks that would shape her fate.

This episode explores the making of Elizabeth Short: the beauty, the dreamer, and the woman who walked fearlessly into a world that would one day remember her by another name.

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.

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.)


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Episoder(393)

The 12 Crimes of Christmas: Laci Peterson - Part 2

The 12 Crimes of Christmas: Laci Peterson - Part 2

I continue my discussion of the Laci Peterson case with my guest co-host, Yolanda from Not Perfect or Functional. Together, we take a deep dive into the background and psychology of Scott Peterson and examine the factors that may have contributed to his crime. Plus, enjoy special holiday greetings from some of our favorite true crime and paranormal podcasts: 🎄 The True Crime Guys 🎄 The Fall Line 🎄 Hillbilly Horror Stories 🎄 Not Perfect or Functional Wishing all our listeners a safe and happy holiday season! 💬 Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts and theories with us on social media or in the comments! 📌 Support the Show: If you enjoy our content, please consider leaving a review and following us for more deep dives into true crime cases.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19 Des 20171h 15min

The 12 Crimes of Christmas: Laci Peterson, Part 1

The 12 Crimes of Christmas: Laci Peterson, Part 1

On Christmas Eve day, 2002, an 8-month pregnant woman went missing from her home. A large-scale search was started right away, but suspicion immediately fell upon her husband, Scott Peterson.  This episode will be a little different for OUAC. I have a special co-host, Yolanda Norris from the Not Perfect or Functional Podcast who will be discussing the case with me. Yolanda is my sister so this is a real holiday treat for me - and I hope it will be for you too! Also, while you may think you know this story, we've come at it from a different angle. First, it will be in response to the A&E program "The Murder of Laci Peterson" in which they lay out a case for the reasons some believe Scott Peterson was tried in the media and should have been found not guilty. Second, we will do a deep into the background and psyche of Scott Peterson to give our take on why we think not only is he guilty, but that there were signs pointing to how and why Scott may have been able to so casually murder his wife and unborn son.  This episode is Part One of a two-part special episode. Part Two comes out tomorrow! Happy Holidays!  Holiday Greetings in this episode were shared with you by: Podcasts We Listen To Twisted Philly  True Crime Sweden  Minds of Madness  Misconduct  They Walk Among Us FBI Retired Case File Review with Jerri Williams In the Myx and Criminal Musings by Myxter Hyde  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19 Des 20171h 32min

The 12 Crimes of Christmas: Holiday Hijinx

The 12 Crimes of Christmas: Holiday Hijinx

Get into the holiday spirit—true crime style! In this special holiday edition episode, we’re talking Black Friday madness, Grinchy burglars, and other wild holiday crime stories. Plus, enjoy holiday greetings from some of our favorite true crime podcasts: 🎄 Canadian True Crime 🎄 True Crime Garage 🎄 Southern Fried True Crime 🎄 Insight Podcast 🎄 True Crime Island 🎄 Murder Road Trip 🎄 The Cleaning of John Doe 🎄 Killifornia Dreaming 🎄 Done Disappeared Wishing all our listeners a happy and safe holiday season! 💬 Join the Conversation: What’s the craziest holiday crime story you’ve heard? Let us know on social media! 📌 Support the Show: Love the podcast? Leave a review and follow us for more true crime content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 Des 201721min

The 12 Crimes of Christmas: Very Bad Santa

The 12 Crimes of Christmas: Very Bad Santa

We’re kicking off the true crime holiday season with shocking tales of Santas who strayed far from the nice list. From heists to historical crimes, these bad Santas prove that not everyone in a red suit spreads holiday cheer. 🎅🔪 #ChristmasCrime #BadSantas #HistoricalCrime Stay tuned for more festive felonies, and don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

5 Des 201725min

Murder in the Family: Fritz Klenner and Susie Lynch

Murder in the Family: Fritz Klenner and Susie Lynch

Family bonds can be unbreakable—but in this case, they were deadly. Fritz Klenner and Susie Lynch, cousins from a wealthy and prominent family, turned against their own relatives in a shocking tale of revenge, paranoia, and murder. Stay tuned for more true crime cases, and don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes! Resources: Books: Bitter Blood: A True Story of Southern Family Pride, Madness and Multiple Murder by Jerry Bledsoe Movies/Television: In the Best of Families: Marriage, Pride and Madness (Also known as "Bitter Blood") starring Harry Hamlin and Kelly McGillis (1994)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28 Nov 20171h 2min

Murder in the Family: Sante and Kenny Kimes

Murder in the Family: Sante and Kenny Kimes

A mother’s influence can shape a child’s future—but in the case of Sante and Kenny Kimes, it led to a dark path of deception, fraud, and murder. This mother-son duo was more than just a team of seasoned con artists; their elaborate financial schemes eventually escalated into cold-blooded killings. Together, they manipulated, stole, and killed to protect their web of lies. How did a life of scams and cons spiral into murder? And what finally brought them down? Tune in as we uncover the shocking true story of Sante and Kenny Kimes. 🔪🎭 #SerialKillers #SanteKimes #KennyKimes #ConArtists #TrueCrime Patreon: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Nov 20171h 12min

Murder in the Family: The Chilling Crimes of the González Sisters

Murder in the Family: The Chilling Crimes of the González Sisters

In 1964, a shocking discovery in Jalisco, Mexico, revealed one of the most prolific serial killer families in history. The González Sisters ran a sinister operation under the guise of a boarding house, luring in vulnerable women with promises of work—only to exploit, imprison, and ultimately murder them. Fueled by greed and cruelty, these sisters built a deadly empire, leaving a trail of victims in their wake. How did they evade capture for so long? And what finally led to their downfall? Join us as we uncover the horrifying true story of the González Sisters—one of the darkest chapters in Mexico’s true crime history. 🖤🔪 #TrueCrime #SerialKillers #GonzalezSisters #MurderInTheFamily #CrimeHistory www.Patreon.com/onceuponacrime - become a Patron starting at only $2 month for merch, early release episode, series wrap-up discussions and bonus episodes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 Nov 201735min

Murder in the Family: The Brutal Crimes of the Briley Brothers

Murder in the Family: The Brutal Crimes of the Briley Brothers

Some families share an unbreakable bond—but for the Briley Brothers, that bond was built on violence. In the late 1970s, Linwood, James, and Anthony Briley unleashed a reign of terror in Richmond, Virginia, committing a series of brutal murders during an eight-month crime spree. Driven by a thirst for power and bloodshed, the brothers targeted strangers and acquaintances alike, leaving a community paralyzed with fear. Their crimes were so ruthless that even hardened criminals were shocked by their brutality. How did three brothers become some of the most feared killers in Virginia’s history? And what finally stopped their murderous rampage? Join us as we unravel the chilling true story of the Briley Brothers. 🔪🔥 #TrueCrime #BrileyBrothers #MurderInTheFamily #SerialKillers #CrimeSpreeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

7 Nov 201743min

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