An American woman, often described as an aspiring actress, who was found brutally murdered and mutilated in Los Angeles, California. She was posthumously nicknamed 'The Black Dahlia'.
Elizabeth Short Born
Elizabeth Short, the future 'Black Dahlia', was born in Boston, Massachusetts.
Short Moves to California
Elizabeth Short relocated to Vallejo, California, to live with her estranged father.
Short Leaves Father's Home
After arguments, Elizabeth Short moved out of her father's home in Vallejo.
Short Applies for Job at Camp Cooke
Elizabeth Short applied for a job as a clerk at the commissary of the Army's Camp Cooke in California.
Short Arrested for Underage Drinking
Elizabeth Short was arrested by Santa Barbara police for underage drinking.
Short Acquires "Black Dahlia" Nickname
Elizabeth Short acquired the nickname "Black Dahlia" in a Long Beach drugstore, possibly due to her dark hair, penchant for black clothing, and in reference to the film 'The Blue Dahlia'.
Short Moves to Los Angeles
Elizabeth Short moved to Los Angeles, California, where she would spend the last six months of her life.
Last Confirmed Sighting of Elizabeth Short
Robert "Red" Manley dropped Elizabeth Short off at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. She was last seen making phone calls from the hotel lobby.
- Robert Manley dropped Short off at the Biltmore Hotel.
- Short was seen pacing the lobby and making frantic phone calls from the Biltmore Hotel.
Estimated Time of Death
Elizabeth Short was murdered, likely sometime during the evening of January 14 or the early morning hours of January 15, as medical examiners determined she had been dead for about ten hours prior to the discovery of her body.
Discovery of Elizabeth Short's Body
Elizabeth Short's naked, bisected, and severely mutilated body was discovered by Betty Bersinger in a vacant lot on South Norton Avenue in Leimert Park, Los Angeles.
- Betty Bersinger, walking with her daughter, discovered the body in a vacant lot.
- Bersinger initially mistook the body for a mannequin due to its pallid appearance.
- Upon realizing it was a human body, she ran to a nearby residence to call the police.
Autopsy Performed
An autopsy on Elizabeth Short's body was performed by Los Angeles County coroner Frederick Newbarr.
Killer Sends Package to Newspapers
A manila envelope addressed to "The Los Angeles Examiner and other Los Angeles papers" was discovered, containing Elizabeth Short's birth certificate, business cards, photographs, and an address book, all cleaned with gasoline.
Short's Belongings Found in Dumpster
Elizabeth Short's purse and one high heel were found in a dumpster several miles from the crime scene.