On January 15, 1947, Elizabeth Short’s body was found — nearly 80 years ago today.
The infamous Black Dahlia murder case remains unsolved, but previously undisclosed details are leading armchair detectives to new theories. While the 22-year-old was found drained of blood and left on the side of the road, Short’s murder has long been one of the most compelling unsolved mysteries of old Hollywood.
Short's mutilated body was discovered in an undeveloped Los Angeles neighborhood, and despite the gruesome circumstances, news of her murder spread quickly throughout the country. The media dubbed Short the "Black Dahlia" after a 1946 film, The Blue Dahlia, as well as her propensity to wear black clothing. While the initial investigation led to a false confession and dead ends, the case is still one LAPD detectives are seeking answers about in 2026.
People revealed that according to a police officer who saw Short prior to her murder, she was fearful for her life, and details from their interaction have recently resurfaced, leading to new theories. After learning about Short "sobbing in terror" ahead of her death on January 9, 1947, some investigators have been connecting the gruesome murder to other unsolved cases.
Emmy-nominated producer Eli Frankel shared in his recent book, Sisters In Death, that the connection between Short's murder and the death of heiress Leila Welsh six years prior could be something tangible. By sharing that there was a pattern of violence, stalking, and knowledge of their suspected murderer, Frankel makes it clear that there's still much to be investigated surrounding Short's murder.
While Welsh was murdered in Kansas City, Frankel believes the same man who was stalking and ultimately killed Welsh likely did the same to Short. After Welsh suffered similar levels of "unspeakable trauma" to Short, something connecting the two cases hasn't added up for decades.
Despite some new documentation coming out to support Frankel's theory, the Black Dahlia case remains unsolved.