Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia A Skilled Surgeon
Feb 20, 2019
Guest Steve Hodel, former LAPD Homicide Detective, discusses the Black Dahlia murder case and how his own father fit the profile of the killer. The podcast explores the emotional journey of discovering one's true heritage, reflects on the family's dark history, and analyzes the gruesome crime scene and careful planning of the murder. It also mentions other suspects and provides a detailed background of a person's early life.
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Calculated Killer with High Skill
- The Black Dahlia murder required high executive function and planning, unlike impulsive reactive violence.
- The meticulous mutilation and posing of the body shows the killer was highly calculated and organized.
Crime as Entertainment in 1947
- The Black Dahlia case became a media spectacle in 1947, selling papers with sensational details and the nickname Black Dahlia.
- Crime functioned as entertainment during that era, fueling public fascination with grisly murders.
Killer's Surgical Precision Revealed
- Elizabeth Short's body was bisected surgically with precision, indicating the killer was a skilled surgeon.
- The cut was made between the second and third lumbar vertebrae to avoid cutting through bone.