- Los Angeles' Most Gruesome Murder Ever

Elizabeth ("The Black Dahlia") Short's Murder Still Unsolved

On January 15, 1947 a woman walking on the sidewalk in the 3800 block of Norton St., in Liemert Park, Los Angeles caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a department store mannequin lying in the weeds on the side of the street; the top half separated from the lower half. As she approached the mannequin, the woman quickly realized that it was actually the nude body of a woman.

It was eventually discovered that the body was that of Elizabeth Short, better known at the time as The Black Dahlia. Though numerous disturbed individuals would come forward claiming responsibility during the years following the grisly discovery, no one has ever been officially charged in the case. You can read more about the death of The Black Dahlia here or scroll down and see the gruesome police photos.

Scroll down to see the photos. But consider yourself warned. They are not pretty.

 Read more about Elizabeth Short's (The Black Dahlia's) story here

The Condition of Elizabeth Short's Body
The official cause of death was "hemorrhage and shock due to concussion of the brain and lacerations of the face." Although the Los Angeles Police Department will not comment on the specifics of the weapon used to sever Beth's body, it is believed the killer used a butcher knife to eventually saw her in two.

Following are excerpts from the official coroner's report:
There are multiple lacerations to the midforehead, in the right forehead, and at the top of the head in the midline. There are multiple tiny abrasions and lacerations. The trunk is completely severed by an incision, which is almost straight through the abdomen.... There are multiple crisscross lacerations in the suprapubic area, which extend through the skin and soft tissues.

There are lacerations of the intestine and both kidneys. The uterus is small and no pregnancy is apparent. The tubes, ovaries, and cul-de-sac are intact.... Within the vagina and higher up there is lying loose a piece of skin with fat and subcutaneous tissue attached. On this piece of loose skin there are several crisscrossing lacerations. Smears for spermatozoa have been taken.

The anal opening is markedly dilated and the opening measures 1 1/4" in diameter.... There are multiple abrasions.... Smear for spermatozoa has been taken.....

The stomach is filled with greenish brown granular matter, mostly feces and other particles, which could not be identified. All smears for spermatozoa were negative.

It appeared as though many of the lacerations, including the dilation of the anal opening, were done after the woman's death.

Suspects
Among the more than 50 "confessing Sam's", people who admit to a crime they didn't commit in order to gain popularity, none were ever arrested and put on trial. The only person ever actually arrested was Red Manley. The 26-year old married man was placed under intense investigation and was even paraded in front of the press in handcuffs. Manley passed every lie detector test and was eventually cleared of all suspicion.

Read more about the Death of Elizabeth Short