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.)


Sponsors:

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

https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/

Links:

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

Mortal Musings Podcast: https://mortalmusingspodcast.com/


Visit the new OUAC MERCH SHOP!

For a limited time, get up to 27% off all products — including $16 tees — during our Grand Opening Sale. But hurry, deals end October 31st!

Shop now at onceuponacrime.dashery.com.

✈️ 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!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Avsnitt(394)

Till Death Do Us Part - Jordan Graham and Cody Johnson

Till Death Do Us Part - Jordan Graham and Cody Johnson

A new bride decides she's made a mistake in tying the knot. The decision she makes in order to end the marriage will be a shocking act of cruelty.  Resources:  "A Murder in Glacier Park" by Justin Franz for The Flathead Beacon, Dec 17, 2013 "Newlywed Cliff Death" by Ryan Owens for ABC News, Sept 11, 2013 "Glacier Park Murder: Friends warned Kalispell man not to marry" by Alice Miller for The Missoulian, Sept 11, 2013 "Montana's Jordan Graham Case" by Crime Watch Daily. Uploaded by True Crime Daily on YouTube.com, March 16, 2020. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

8 Juni 202048min

Till Death Do Us Part: Wendy Trapaga and Michel Escoto

Till Death Do Us Part: Wendy Trapaga and Michel Escoto

In this series, I'll share cases of newlyweds whose lives were cut short by the person who vowed to love them forever.   In this first case, a young bride is unaware that her new spouse married her to collect on a $1 million dollar life insurance policy.   Resources: 'The Other Woman' Testifies in Newlywed Murder, CBS Miami 4, March 25, 2014.  Several articles on Wendy Trapaga murder case from CBS Miami 4 online.  Till Death Do Us Part: A Collection of Newlywed Murder Cases by JJ Slate, RJ Parker Publishing, 2015.   Links: Watch MurderMurderNews here.  GoodPods -  Get Goodpods here.  Search for Motive for Murder and add a question in the discussion tab. Then join me for an exclusive discussion with the host of Motive for Murder, Josh Mankiewicz on June 4th!  You can follow me on GoodPods at @estherlu.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1 Juni 202038min

Last Dance: The Pelley Murders - Part 2

Last Dance: The Pelley Murders - Part 2

This is Part 2 of "The Pelley Murders". In this episode I'll tell you about Jeff Pelley's trial, theories of the murders, and give you a strange and compelling story about who else may have been responsible for the murders of Bob Pelley and his family.  Resources: The Prom Night Murders: The True Story of a Twenty Year Mystery by Carlton Smith, St. Martin’s Press, 2009 “A trail of broken promises, debt and death” by Peter Franceschina for The News-Press, Oct 6, 1991.   “Cold case unsolved: Fort Myers developer Clarence Eric Dawson shot, found buried on Estero property 30 years ago” by Michael Braun, The News-Press, Nov 23, 2018   "Case Study: 17-year-old murderer, 20-minute timeframe, circumstantial evidence, normal behaviour, maintains innocence...Jeff Pelley Convicted for 160 Years", on Reddit.com - r/serialpodcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

18 Maj 202043min

Last Dance: The Pelley Murders - Part 1

Last Dance: The Pelley Murders - Part 1

A 17-year-old is suspected in the murder of four of his family members because he was forbidden from attending his prom. Was this a case of a homicidal teen or a rush to judgement?   Resources: The Prom Night Murders: The True Story of a Twenty-Year Mystery by Carlton Smith, St. Martin's Press, 2009 "Inconsistent with the Laws of Nature" by Mark Gribben for The Malefactor's Register   Links: Patreon: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime YouTube: https://bit.ly/2UDxhEG Website: www.truecrimepodcast.com Let's Taco 'Bout True Crime: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/lets-taco-bout-true-crimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11 Maj 202043min

Last Dance: Adam Sapikowski

Last Dance: Adam Sapikowski

In this series, "Last Dance", I share stories of crimes that happened on prom night.  In the first episode, a teenager commits an act of parricide then attends his prom and holds a party at the crime scene.  Resources: Adam Sapikowski - crime and trial reported by WRAL.com over several articles - https://www.wral.com/news/local/asset_gallery/1066030/ "Adam Sapikowski Sentenced" - ABC 11 News, Feb 8, 2008. Links: Facebook Fan Page: https://bit.ly/2VuSgtM YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/2UDxhEGSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4 Maj 202035min

StepMonsters: Joshua and Jerome Ellis

StepMonsters: Joshua and Jerome Ellis

An abusive stepfather gets his comeuppance when his stepsons turn on him resulting in a grisly murder.  Resources: "Joshua and Jerome Ellis guilty of stepfather killing", BBC News, Feb 26, 2014.  "Kids Who Kill: Responsible Child inspired by the true story of two young brothers who stabbed their stepfather", Graeme Culliford for The Sun, Dec 17, 2019.   Links: Let's Taco 'Bout True Crime - Listen here: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/lets-taco-bout-true-crime Subscribe to our YouTube channel! https://bit.ly/2UDxhEG  Once Upon a Crime Facebook Fan Page: https://bit.ly/2VuSgtM See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

27 Apr 202027min

StepMonsters: Tracey Wright

StepMonsters: Tracey Wright

A child, unwanted from birth and neglected by her birth parents, is hopeful that her new stepmother will love her like a daughter. It is not to be and her story will become a cautionary tale in the U.K. of how the child protective system spectacularly failed Lauren Wright.  Resources: "Tragic tale of a child unwanted from the day of her birth" by Terri Judd for The Independent, Oct 2, 2001.  "A Life of Abuse and Neglect" by Paul Kelso for The Guardian, Oct 1, 2001.  A series of articles in BBC News - "Doctor examine girl before death", Sept 5, 2001; "Stepmother 'loved Lauren'", Sept 20, 'Mum punched Lauren' says son", Sept 25; "Lauren inquiry demanded", "A lifetime of abuse" - all Oct 1, 2001.  Links: To listen and subscribe to "Let's Taco 'Bout True Crime" : https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/lets-taco-bout-true-crime Once Upon a Crime Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1730325570622505/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

20 Apr 202034min

StepMonsters: The Disappearance of Charlie Bothuell

StepMonsters: The Disappearance of Charlie Bothuell

In our new series, “StepMonsters,” I’ll share stories of bad stepparents whose actions became true crime news.  In this first episode I'll share the story of a young boy who went missing and was found in a very unlikely place.  Was he the victim of abuse as he would claim and, if so, who was the person most responsible - his stepmother, his own father or both?   Resources: "Charlie Bothuell V, Boy Found in Basement, Says His Home was a 'Terrible Place'", by Tara Fowler for People Magazine, April 29, 2015. "Dad of Boy Found in Basement Wants Trial" by Holly Fournier for The Detroit News, January 5, 2016.  Audio Clip: "Nancy Grace tells dad missing son found alive", retrieved from HLN on YouTube, https://youtu.be/TAQTR6_FTyI Links: Once Upon a Crime's YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/2UDxhEG Patreon: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime Let's Taco 'Bout True Crime: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/lets-taco-bout-true-crimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

6 Apr 202027min

Populärt inom Samhälle & Kultur

mardromsgasten
podme-dokumentar
en-mork-historia
rattsfallen
aftonbladet-krim
p3-dokumentar
killradet
creepypodden-med-jack-werner
skaringer-nessvold
flashback-forever
nemo-moter-en-van
badfluence
p1-dokumentar
kod-katastrof
hor-har
svenska-fall
larm-vi-minns
rss-sanning-konsekvens
aftonbladet-daily
historiska-brott