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)

S1 Ep16: Fatal Fans: Chapter 4: John Hinckley

S1 Ep16: Fatal Fans: Chapter 4: John Hinckley

John Hinckley, Jr. tries to impress an actress by killing President Ronald Reagan. Was he legally insane? This is the final chapter in the series "Fatal Fans".  Please rate and review us on ApplePodcast! Twitter: @UponACrime Facebook: OnceUponaCrimePod     Resources: "At the Edge of Death" by Edmund Morris for Newsweek, October 4, 1999. Dutch: A Memoir of Ronald Regan by Edmund Morris, Random House, 1999. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11 Okt 201647min

S1 Ep15: Fatal Fans: Chapter 3: John Lennon

S1 Ep15: Fatal Fans: Chapter 3: John Lennon

Mark David Chapman stalks and murders John Lennon on a New York city street in 1980. This is Chapter 3 of Fatal Fans. Resources: Let Me Take You Down: Inside the Mind of Mark David Chapman by Jack Jones  www.facebook.com/OnceUponACrimePod See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11 Okt 20161h 5min

S1 Ep14: Fatal Fans: Chapter 2: Rebecca Schaeffer

S1 Ep14: Fatal Fans: Chapter 2: Rebecca Schaeffer

An unhinged fan has murderous plans towards young actress Rebecca Schaeffer. Resources: "An Innocent Life, A Heartbreaking Death" by Pete Axthelm, People Magazine, July 31, 1989.  "In the Mind of a Stalker" by M. Tharp, U.S. News and World Report, Feb 17, 1992.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4 Okt 201626min

S1 Ep13: Fatal Fans: Chapter 1: Theresa Saldana

S1 Ep13: Fatal Fans: Chapter 1: Theresa Saldana

A young actress is stalked by an unhinged drifter who is intent on killing her. Facebook: OnceUponACrimePod Twitter: @UponACrime Celebrity crime, stalking victims, true crime. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

13 Sep 201640min

S1 Ep12: The Day the Music Died: Chapter 4: Selena

S1 Ep12: The Day the Music Died: Chapter 4: Selena

The Queen of Tejano Music is gunned down by a fan in 1995. Resources: Music: Selena - Ones - (Greatest Hits Album) DVD: Selena - the Movie  Book: To Selena with Love - by Chris Perez To connect with the show: On Twitter: @uponacrime On Facebook and Instagram @OnceUponaCrimePod Website: www.truecrimepodcast.com      See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 Sep 201638min

S1 Ep11: The Day the Music Died: Chapter 3: Tupac and Biggie

S1 Ep11: The Day the Music Died: Chapter 3: Tupac and Biggie

Two of music's biggest rap stars are cut down in their prime. But, who killed them? This week's episode - Tupac and Biggie. Follow us on Twitter @UponACrime and on Facebook and Instagram @OnceUponaCrimePod Resources for this episode: Music: 2Pac's Greatest Hits The Notorious B.I.G. Greatest Hits   Books: Tupac Shakur: The Life and Times of an American Icon - Tayannah Lee McQuillar and Fred L. Johnson III, PhD Notorious C.O.P.: The Inside Story of Tupc, Biggie and Jam Master Jay Investigations - Derrick Parker The Rose that Grew from Concrete: Poems by Tupac Shakur Movies and Documentaries: Tupac: Resurrection Notorious Biggie and Tupac: The Story Behind the Murders of Rap's Biggest Superstars  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28 Aug 201659min

The Day the Music Died: Kurt Cobain

The Day the Music Died: Kurt Cobain

In the second installment of our series on tragic musical icons, we examine the life and mysterious death of Kurt Cobain, the legendary frontman of Nirvana. Known for shaping the sound of a generation, Cobain's raw talent and emotional lyrics made him a voice for the misunderstood—until his untimely death in 1994, ruled a suicide… but still clouded in speculation.We’re joined by Justin Evans from The Generation Why and The Peripheral podcasts to discuss the controversial documentary Soaked in Bleach and the murder theory that continues to stir debate. Was it really suicide—or is there more to the story?📚 Sources used in this episode:– Heavier than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain by Charles R. Cross🎥 Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck🎥 Soaked in Bleach🔗 Check out our guest:www.TheGenerationWhyPodcast.comwww.theperipheral.libsyn.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

17 Aug 20161h 36min

The Day the Music Died: Marvin Gaye

The Day the Music Died: Marvin Gaye

This series uncovers the haunting stories of iconic musicians whose lives were cut short by violence or shrouded in mystery. In Chapter One, we delve into the heartbreaking murder of Marvin Gaye, the soulful voice behind classics like What’s Going On and Sexual Healing.At the height of his fame, Marvin struggled with personal demons, fame, and a volatile relationship with his father—tensions that would ultimately lead to his tragic death just one day before his 45th birthday. We explore his rise to superstardom, the turmoil behind the scenes, and the chilling events that unfolded in his final moments.📚 Sources used in this episode:– Marvin Gaye: My Brother by Frankie Gaye– Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye by David RitzSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2 Aug 201654min

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