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Crime & Justice • Unsolved crimes

Black Dahlia

The Black Dahlia is the posthumous nickname of Elizabeth Short, an American woman whose 1947 murder in Los Angeles remains unsolved.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Black Dahlia is the posthumous nickname of Elizabeth Short, an American woman whose 1947 murder in Los Angeles remains unsolved. The case became one of the most famous unsolved crimes in U.S. history after her mutilated body was found in Leimert Park and the press widely publicized the nickname.

Background

Elizabeth Short was born in Boston in 1924 and later moved to California, where she hoped to pursue acting. She became known posthumously as the Black Dahlia after the Los Angeles press popularized the nickname.

Murder and discovery

Short was found dead on January 15, 1947, in Los Angeles. The crime scene and injuries drew immediate attention because of the severity and unusual nature of the mutilation.

Investigation

The Los Angeles Police Department investigated extensively, interviewing many people and receiving numerous confessions. Despite years of speculation and many suspects, the case was never solved.

Legacy

The Black Dahlia case became one of the most notorious unsolved murders in the United States. It has inspired books, films, television programs, and continuing public interest.

Key facts

  • Elizabeth Short was a 22-year-old aspiring actress and model when she was killed in Los Angeles in January 1947.
  • Her body was found in a vacant lot in the Leimert Park area of Los Angeles on January 15, 1947.
  • The press nicknamed her the “Black Dahlia,” reportedly as a play on the film title *The Blue Dahlia* and her association with black clothing.
  • The case drew intense publicity, numerous tips, and many confessions, but no one was charged.
  • The murder remains one of the most famous cold cases in American crime history.
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Canadian context

The Black Dahlia case is often discussed in Canadian true-crime coverage, books, and documentaries as one of the most notorious unsolved murders in North American history.

Frequently asked questions

Who was the Black Dahlia?
The Black Dahlia was Elizabeth Short, a 22-year-old American woman whose murder in Los Angeles in 1947 was never solved.
Why was she called the Black Dahlia?
The nickname was created and popularized by the press, reportedly as a play on the film title *The Blue Dahlia* and Short’s association with black clothing.
When was her body found?
Her body was discovered on January 15, 1947, in Los Angeles.
Was anyone ever charged in the case?
No one was ever formally charged or convicted in connection with the murder.
Why is the case famous?
It became widely known because of the brutality of the killing, the large investigation, and the fact that it remains unsolved.

References

  1. Federal Bureau of Investigation — https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/black-dahlia
    Supports: Identifies Elizabeth Short as the Black Dahlia and states the murder remains unsolved.
  2. Biography — https://www.biography.com/crime/black-dahlia
    Supports: Provides Elizabeth Short’s birth details, death date, nickname, and unsolved-case status.
  3. Crime Museum — https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/famous-murders/the-black-dahlia-murder/
    Supports: Describes the discovery of the body, the nickname’s origin, and the case’s notoriety.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Black-Dahlia
    Supports: Summarizes the murder, public attention, investigation, and lack of charges.