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


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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

Killer Kids: Brenda Spencer

Killer Kids: Brenda Spencer

A quiet morning. A sudden hail of gunfire. The first school mass shooting in U.S. history. On January 29, 1979, 16-year-old Brenda Spencer opened fire on Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego, killing two and injuring eight. When asked why she did it, her chilling response shocked the nation: "I don’t like Mondays." What led a teenager to commit such a horrific act? Was there more to her story than a flippant remark? And how did this crime change the way America viewed school shootings forever? Join us as we explore the tragic and disturbing case of Brenda Spencer. 🎧 Listen now—because history has a way of repeating itself. 📖 Book Recommendation: Does Anyone Like Mondays? The Brenda Spencer Murder Case – Eric Hart 🔗 Follow & Subscribe for More True Crime: 🐦 Twitter 📱 Subscribe on ApplePodcast, Spotify, or YouTube.  #TrueCrimePodcast #BrendaSpencer #IDontLikeMondays #SchoolShootings #CrimeHistory #OnceUponACrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

26 Juli 201647min

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