Most Notorious! A True Crime History Podcast · Blue Ewe Media

424: The Black Dahlia: Another Suspect w/ William J Mann

·1 hr 7 min

This episode of Most Notorious! features host Eric interviewing returning guest William J. Mann, a New York Times bestselling author of Hollywood biographies, about his new book on the Black Dahlia murder. Mann aims to provide a definitive account that focuses on the victim, Elizabeth Short, and the social context of post-World War II America rather than just naming a killer. He critiques previous authors for confirmation bias in naming suspects like Dr. George Hodel, Leslie Dillon, and Carl Balsinger. Mann details Elizabeth Short's movements, including her stays with nightclub owner Mark Hansen and her final sighting at the Biltmore Hotel before her murder. He explains the killer needed surgical skill to bisect the body cleanly and a specific rage to display it in a developing neighborhood. Mann dismisses Carl Balsinger as lacking both surgical experience and the necessary psychological profile for the crime. He references detective Betty Bersinger's account and disputes a recent theory that police moved the body, citing original LAPD reports. The author describes the immense pressure on original detectives Harry Hansen and Finis Brown from sensationalist newspapers like the *Examiner*. He praises the state-of-the-art LAPD crime lab and forensic expert Ray Pinker, who found no evidence to support the Leslie Dillon theory. Mann reveals he systematically cross-referenced over a thousand names from police reports, newspaper articles, and district attorney files to build a timeline. He argues the true Elizabeth Short was an inquisitive young woman exercising her limited agency, not the "Black Dahlia" media myth. The conversation is analytical and educational, examining historical evidence and societal attitudes. Listeners interested in thorough historical research and a victim-centered approach will appreciate this episode. Those seeking a definitive, sensational solution to the murder may be disappointed by Mann's circumspect conclusion.

As heard by us

A careful, guest-led look at the Black Dahlia case with another suspect in play.

The Black Dahlia case gets another careful look as Eric Rivenes and William J. Mann weigh a new suspect against the familiar outline of Elizabeth Short's final days.

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Why you'd press play

You want one more serious pass at the Black Dahlia suspect debate.

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