Episode 602: The Black Dahlia Murder Part III - Blood and Brown
Last Podcast On The Left
Deep Dive
Why was Leslie Dillon considered a key suspect in the Black Dahlia murder?
Leslie Dillon was a small-time crook associated with the same underworld figures Elizabeth Short was linked to. He contacted Dr. Joseph Paul DeRiver under a pseudonym, expressing interest in collaborating on a book about psychopathic cases. Dillon had a soft, modulated voice similar to the Black Dahlia killer, experience with draining bodies from his work as a mortuary assistant, and knowledge of mutilation methods not publicly known. Additionally, he carried phenobarbital pills and a dog leash that appeared to have been used to hang something of human weight.
What role did the Astor Motel play in the Black Dahlia investigation?
The Astor Motel was a key location in the investigation. Leslie Dillon’s mother mentioned he stayed there, just 15 minutes from where Elizabeth Short’s body was found. Cabin number three was discovered covered in blood and feces on the day of the murder, and the motel had a suspiciously large laundry bill afterward. Witnesses claimed to have seen a woman resembling Short at the motel during the ‘missing week,’ and clothes matching her last known outfit were found bundled in cabin nine.
What evidence connected Mark Hansen to the Black Dahlia murder?
Mark Hansen, a Danish nightclub owner, was linked to the case through his strained relationship with Elizabeth Short. She had lived at his house before her murder and called him on the day she disappeared. Hansen was also described by motel owner Henry Hoffman as the ‘man from Batavia’ who stayed at the Astor Motel during Short’s time there. Additionally, Short’s personal documents, including an address book with Hansen’s name, were found at the Los Angeles Examiner.
Why did the LAPD back away from Leslie Dillon as a suspect?
The LAPD initially suspected Leslie Dillon but later claimed he was in San Francisco at the time of the murder. Dillon was released without charges and even sued the LAPD for $100,000, which he dropped after the LAPD threatened him with evidence of a Santa Monica safe robbery. The LAPD’s decision to back away from Dillon was likely influenced by corruption and a desire to avoid implicating organized crime figures connected to the case.
What was the significance of the blood and feces found in cabin three at the Astor Motel?
Cabin three at the Astor Motel was found covered in blood and feces on the morning Elizabeth Short’s body was discovered. The room was thoroughly cleaned, and the motel had a large laundry bill afterward, suggesting an attempt to destroy evidence. The blood and feces were consistent with Short’s mutilated and drained body, leading investigators to believe it was the kill site. However, the LAPD dismissed the findings, claiming other substances were present.
How did police corruption impact the Black Dahlia investigation?
Police corruption severely hindered the investigation. Officers like Finnis Brown, who was indebted to Mark Hansen, actively derailed leads pointing to Hansen or organized crime. The gangster squad, tasked with the investigation, was disbanded after a corruption scandal, and key evidence, such as the Astor Motel registration records, was destroyed. The LAPD’s focus on protecting its own interests and powerful figures left the case unsolved.
What did the grand jury conclude about the Black Dahlia murder?
The grand jury declared that the investigation was marred by systematic corruption, leading to an increasing number of unsolved homicides in Los Angeles. They noted that the police officers involved were evasive, corrupt, and prone to misconduct. However, due to insufficient evidence, they concluded that Leslie Dillon and Mark Hansen could not be further investigated. The case remained unresolved, with the LAPD’s corruption playing a significant role in its failure.
What was Dr. Joseph Paul DeRiver’s role in the investigation?
Dr. Joseph Paul DeRiver, the LAPD’s psychiatrist, played a controversial role in the investigation. He lured Leslie Dillon under false pretenses, convinced Dillon was the killer, and conducted unconstitutional interrogations. DeRiver’s involvement led to a grand jury investigation, but his efforts were undermined by the LAPD, who retaliated by firing him and abolishing his position. DeRiver was harassed by the police for years after the case, with officers shooting at him and leaving dead fish on his doorstep.
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