
True Murder: The Most Shocking Killers in True Crime History SISTERS IN DEATH—Who Killed The Black Dahlia?—Eli Frankel
Dec 1, 2025
Eli Frankel, a true-crime author and documentary producer, dives deep into the infamous Black Dahlia case, revealing shocking insights about Elizabeth Short's brutal murder. He connects this case to the lesser-known killing of Leila Welsh, drawing eerie parallels in mutilation and victim profiles. Frankel uncovers critical evidence that ties a prime suspect, Carl Balsiger, to both murders, while challenging longstanding myths about Short. His theories on the killer's psyche and motives enrich this captivating exploration of dark history.
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Famous Tableau Was A Police Reconstruction
- The famed posed tableau of Elizabeth Short was created by police after officers moved the body during an initial nine-minute gap on scene.
- Eli Frankel says Betty Bersinger first saw the torso hidden in weeds about 14 feet from the sidewalk, not the displayed corpse next to the path.
Contacting The Original Witness
- Eli Frankel tracked down Betty Bersinger's daughter Ann and reached Betty, then 102, to ask why the body wasn't spotted earlier.
- Betty described seeing a white back in weeds and thinking it was a mannequin before calling police.
A Suspect With Kansas City Links
- Carl Balsiger, who had been with Elizabeth Short in early December 1946, emerged as a top LAPD suspect due to lies and a possible link to a similar Kansas City murder.
- Frankel connects Balsiger to Lila Welsh's 1941 mutilation, showing overlapping social ties and matching signatures.
