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:

See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website:

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


✈️ Travel with Us to Mexico City! 🇲🇽

We’re taking Once Upon a Crime on the road—and you’re invited! In March 2026, join us for a fun, fabulous 4-day group trip to vibrant Mexico City. Explore incredible sights, savor delicious food, and connect with fellow true crimefans on an unforgettable adventure.

Reserve your spot today with just 25% down—but hurry, space is limited and will sell out fast!

🔗 Click here to learn more and book your spot now!

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S1 Ep23: Holiday Homicides: The Ashland Tragedy

S1 Ep23: Holiday Homicides: The Ashland Tragedy

In the early morning hours of Christmas Eve, 1881, a brutal attack was perpetrated on three sleeping teens in Ashland, Kentucky. Poem: The Ashland Tragedy, composed as a ballad by Peyton Buckner Byrne of Greenup County, Kentucky. Music: The Cherry Tree Carol and Carol of the Bells from An Appalachian Christmas, Composer Mark O'ConnorSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 Dec 201633min

S1 Ep22: True Crime Game Changers: Amber Hagerman and the AMBER Alert

S1 Ep22: True Crime Game Changers: Amber Hagerman and the AMBER Alert

A 9-year-old girl is abducted in Arlington, Texas. The community and, ultimately, the country would call for changes in the way law enforcement responds to missing and abducted children   You can find the video about Amber and her family here: WFAA Amber Hagerman Documentary Click here to find out more about the AMBER Alert System The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children can be contacted at 1-800-THE-LOST or www.missingkids.org . You can see a list of active AMBER alerts here. Tips to keep your children safe: 1) Have a code word phrase. This is a phrase that you would share with your children, especially as it relates to adults they should and can trust. They should know that if you send someone to pick them up from school or any activity, the code word will be used. Make it something funny or personal so it’s easy for the kids to remember. A child should only go with someone who tells them that phrase. 2) Teach your kids that adults don’t need help from kids. If an adult needs directions, help finding a pet or anything else, they should ask another adult, not a child. 3) Let your child know it’s OK to yell, scream, and say no to an adult if they feel uncomfortable or scared. We teach children to listen to adults and not to be disruptive, but there are times they should disobey and be loud. It’s a good idea to practice with your kids. Give them a scenario and have them practice say no firmly and loudly, screaming, and running away. 4) Be careful of sharing too much identifying information on the internet. Of course, we like to share pictures and information about the cute and fun things are children do on Facebook and other social media. But predators can get information about a child's location, routine, etc., if identifying information is shared such as school names, names of parks you frequent, even locations of meeting places like scout troop meetings, sports fields, etc. So, just keep that information to a minimum and without details. Family members and good friends already probably know it so it's not necessary to share.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

5 Dec 201624min

S1 Ep21: True Crime Game Changers: Polly Klaas

S1 Ep21: True Crime Game Changers: Polly Klaas

The murder of a young girls leads to sweeping changes in sentencing laws. Polly Hannah Klaas was 12 years old when she was abducted by a stranger out of her own bedroom. Resources:  People v. Davis, Appeal Record, Superior Court of California, June 1, 2009 "The Man Who Kept Going Free" by Jeffrey Toobin for The New Yorker, March 7, 1994.  Polly's Story - www.pollyklaas.org  "An Angel Named Polly" by Elizabeth Gleick and Maria Eftimiades for People Magazine, Nov 28, 1994.  Book recommendation: American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst by Jeffrey Toobin   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

29 Nov 201634min

Episode 020: Bonus Episode: Holiday Schedule and Shout Outs

Episode 020: Bonus Episode: Holiday Schedule and Shout Outs

Happy Thanksgiving! Just sharing some info about the holiday schedule of podcast releases and some shout outs to listeners and podcasters! Thanks to our new sponsor Audible who is offering our listeners a 30-day free trial and a free audiobook download! Go to www.audibletrial.com/onceuponacrime for your free offer.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Nov 201616min

S1 Ep19: True Crime Game Changers: Francine Hughes and The Burning Bed

S1 Ep19: True Crime Game Changers: Francine Hughes and The Burning Bed

An abused woman spends years being beaten and terrorized by her husband while police and others turn a blind eye. In desperation, she takes the law into her own hands. Resources: The National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.) 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Victim Support (U.K.) www.victimsupport.org.uk Domestic Violence Resource Centre (AU) www.dvrcv.org.au U.S. Dept. of Justice Office on Violence Against Women www.justice.gov/ovw Book: The Burning Bed by Faith McNulty   People show support for the defendant at the trial of Francine Hughes./Farrah Fawcett's portrayal of Francine in "The Burning Bed".    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

17 Nov 20161h 13min

S1 Ep18: True Crime Game Changers: Kitty Genovese

S1 Ep18: True Crime Game Changers: Kitty Genovese

A young woman's murder becomes and indictment on American apathy and changes the way crime is reported. Resources: Film: The Witness Book: Kitty Genovese: The Murder, The Bystanders, The Crime that Changed America - Kevin CookSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

8 Nov 201657min

S1 Ep17: Halloween Tales

S1 Ep17: Halloween Tales

On this special bonus Halloween episode I share something a little different. Instead of the usual true crime case I'm sharing two ghost stories with you. Feel free to listen in the dark! Happy Halloween! #Halloween #ghoststories #spooky Please rate and review the show on iTunes! And tell a friend. Thanks! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28 Okt 201630min

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

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