Bonus: The First Suspects - The Black Dahlia Files

Bonus: The First Suspects - The Black Dahlia Files

In this bonus episode, Esther takes listeners back to the earliest days of the Black Dahlia investigation — before the world even knew the victim’s name.

Detectives faced a gruesome and mystifying crime scene in a quiet Los Angeles neighborhood. Who was the young woman whose body had been staged so deliberately? And who could have committed such a shocking crime?

Using witness statements, police reports, and historical accounts, Esther reveals how investigators built their first list of suspects — and how each was eventually ruled out.

From Elizabeth Short’s friends and lovers to shady landlords and reluctant witnesses, these early leads laid the groundwork for a case that would haunt Los Angeles for decades.

🎧 Next Time on Broken

In the next episode, we’ll examine the shocking details of the crime scene and autopsy — how Elizabeth Short was killed, the forensic evidence left behind, and what it tells us about her murderer.

We’ll also start piecing together theories about motive — and why her killer may have wanted her body to be found.

Make sure you’re subscribed and that your app is set to automatically download new episodes so you don’t miss what’s next in Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder.

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

Severed: The True Story of the Black Dahlia Murder by John Gilmore

The Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood by William J. Mann (upcoming)

Contemporary newspaper archives, LAPD records, and witness interviews


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Episoder(397)

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

Halloween Tales: Volume 2

Halloween Tales: Volume 2

Urban legends are meant to thrill and terrify—but what if some of them were true? In this special episode, we unravel eerie tales that have haunted communities for decades, revealing the real-life crimes that inspired them. From the sinister letters of The Watcher to the terror spread by Son of Sam and The Zodiac Killer, these infamous cases prove that sometimes, reality is even more chilling than fiction. Which legends are based on fact? And what really happened behind the myths? Tune in for a spine-tingling look at the true crimes lurking beneath the surface of these urban legends. 🔪👁️ #TrueCrime #UrbanLegends #SonOfSam #ZodiacKiller #TheWatcher #3xKiller Podcast Recommendations: 🎧 Murder Road Trip 🎧 They Walk Among Us 🎧 Ticklish BusinessSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

23 Okt 201736min

Fakes, Frauds and Liars: The Warrior Eli Hoax

Fakes, Frauds and Liars: The Warrior Eli Hoax

When a pregnant mother tragically dies in a car accident, thousands of Facebook friends come together to grieve. But what if everything they believed—her life, her family, her heartbreaking story—was a lie? In this episode, we unravel the shocking Warrior Eli Hoax, a case of Munchausen by Internet that fooled an entire online community. How was the deception uncovered? And what drives someone to fabricate an entire existence online? Join us as we dive into one of the most elaborate internet hoaxes ever exposed. 🎭🕵️‍♂️ #TrueCrime #OnlineDeception #WarriorEliHoax #MunchausenByInternet #FakesFraudsLiars Thanks to Taryn Harper Wright for her help with this episode. Find her at www.warriorelihoax.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/warriorelihoax. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16 Okt 201729min

Fakes, Frauds and Liars: Belle Gibson

Fakes, Frauds and Liars: Belle Gibson

She preached wellness. She promised hope. She built an empire on a lie. Belle Gibson was an Australian wellness influencer who captivated millions with her story—claiming she had terminal brain cancer and had miraculously cured herself through natural remedies. She sold books, launched an app, and gained a devoted following, all while profiting from her supposed survival story. But when journalists began asking questions, her carefully crafted world came crumbling down. How did she deceive so many for so long? What was the truth behind her fraudulent claims? And what happened when the world found out she was lying? Join us as we uncover one of the biggest wellness scams in modern history. Support Disaster Relief Efforts If you’d like to contribute to relief funds for victims of natural disasters and tragedies, consider donating to: Hurricane & Earthquake Relief: Direct Relief Puerto Rico Recovery: Hispanic Federation Help Animals Affected by Disasters Humane Society of the United States: www.humanesociety.org Humane Society International: www.hsi.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 Okt 201736min

With Friends Like These: Christine Paolilla

With Friends Like These: Christine Paolilla

In the summer of 2003, four young friends were brutally gunned down in Clear Lake City, Texas. The crime scene was shocking, and the motive seemed unimaginable. At the center of the mystery was Christine Paolilla—a girl who had once been bullied until these very friends took her under their wing. Had their kindness unknowingly sealed their fate? What led to this horrifying betrayal? Join us as we uncover the chilling true story of Christine Paolilla—a case of friendship, insecurity, and a tragic turn to violence. 🔪💔 #TrueCrime #ChristinePaolilla #ClearLakeMurders #WithFriendsLikeThese #Betrayal 📖 Resources: Never See Them Again by M. William PhelpsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2 Okt 20171h 9min

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