Black Dahlia murder signifies change in times
By Daily Bruin Staff
Sept. 23, 2006 9:00 p.m.
With the Great Depression over, the United States ““
specifically Los Angeles ““ was looking forward to a bright
new era. Hollywood was the center of attention for its movie stars
and media blitz.
But on Jan. 15, 1947, not even Hollywood could have imagined the
graphic story that unfolded within its very suburbs when the body
of a 22-year-old woman was found cut in half in a vacant lot.
Elizabeth Short, better known as “The Black Dahlia”
by L.A. newspapers, not only became a national news headline for
months, but remains a 60-year-old unsolved crime.
Given the recent media attention regarding Brian De
Palma’s film, I was inspired to try to find the truth about
Short and why the murder remains unsolved.
While researching the topic, I found that in the 60 years since
her body was found, the Black Dahlia has accumulated countless
conspiracy theories and rumors.
The truth about Short is that she was a lost individual. She
involved herself with a number of men, using their generosity for
free dinners and money.
Men interviewed by the detectives had similar stories about her:
They met her on the street, took her out to dinner once or twice,
and never heard from her again.
Due to her nature, the police could never pinpoint a suspect,
although 22 were investigated.
Newspapers covered the Black Dahlia murder religiously, which
many claim caused more damage than good.
People still write about it, only adding more conspiracies and
unproven facts to the table. They have only confused those who wish
to learn more about Short as circumstantial evidence, and false
claims fill their pages.
The murder unfortunately was also a precursor to the decline of
Los Angeles itself. The Black Dahlia murder is a symbol of change
from what was once a young and innocent Los Angeles to a dark and
gloomy Hollywood.
The crime rate since World War II has increased in Los Angeles,
and areas that were once considered middle-class neighborhoods have
turned into rundown areas over a period of 20 years.
What I have learned in the end is that the murder is not only a
loss of a young life, it is also a loss of old-fashioned Hollywood.
In the following years, race riots, immigration and civil rights
have changed Los Angeles to what it is today; leaving all what was
of “Hollywoodland” behind, and bringing with it the
unsolved case from a time that is gone but not forgotten.
Chitsaz is a third-year history student.
