LAPD "Dahlia Gatekeeper" Brian Carr retires

     

Robbery-Homicide detective, Brian Carr, self professed “gatekeeper” of the LAPD Black Dahlia Files officially retired from the LAPD,  effective May 9, 2009.

In a September, 2006,  television interview with investigative journalist, Bill Kurtis of  A&E Cold Case Files, Carr when queried about my investigation had this to say:

Carr: I don’t have the time to prove or disprove what he [Hodel] says. I’m buried in other cases that do have evidence that are possibly solvable.

Kurtis:  Do you think it [Black Dahlia] will ever be solved?

Carr:  No. 

(Nine of LAPD and LASD’s top commanders (past and present) along with lead DA investigator, Lt. Frank Jemison (then) and  Head Deputy DA Stephen Kay (now) have all separately indicated, “the  Black Dahlia Case was solved.”  ( See FAQ 24.2 for their verbatim statements.)

When I was a rookie detective at Hollywood Division back in 1969, the first thing my old-school homicide partner told me was, “Kid, you’re the only one standing in the victim’s shoes  Never forget it!” I didn’t. 

LAPD’s relatively new, Cold Case Unit has a 2009  motto, which to my ear, seems to mimick my partner’s words from forty-years past. Their new motto:

                                         “No case is too old or too cold.”

That’s very encouraging to hear. Let us all  wish LAPD’s CCU  all the success in the world as they look back to look forward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Comments

  1. Kathy on June 1, 2009 at 8:26 pm

    Brian Carr was just buried in cases, yet he had time to do that interview while standing in front of the Black Dahlia file cabinet… Hope the new gatekeeper has a better attitude!

  2. Steve Hodel on June 1, 2009 at 9:44 pm

    I don’t expect any change or review from LAPD, at least during the current administration.
    In my 2006 HarperCollins updated chapter, “Forensics & New Evidence” I reported this response from LAPD Chief William Bratton to a question he was asked during a talk/booksigning he gave at the popular, BOOK SOUP Bookstore, on the Sunset Strip, in November, 2004. BDA page 544:
    Audience voice: Isn’t it about time we released all the information about the Black Dahlia case? [applause]
    Chief Bratton: I just told our Cold Case Squad guys to give it [the Dahlia investigation] up. I’m more concerned about the nine murders we had last week than one going back that many years….I know that is problematic for some people who would like to see it solved. But,what would you have to write about if it was solved? Better it go unsolved. There are more and more books being written about it all the time. [Absolute silence from the crowd for ten seconds]

  3. […] LAPD has largely ignored him. As Lt Brian Carr, the officer who was responsible for the files told Cold Case in 2009, “I don’t have the time to prove or disprove what [Hodel] says. I’m buried in other […]

  4. Marcia on April 20, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    It had to be a Medical doctor that did this to Elizabeth Short he was the only person that has the knowledge to be able to do this to a person and maybe get a way with a horrible crime

  5. Marcia on April 20, 2017 at 5:18 pm

    PS the police at the time was corrupt and might have done anything for money and for a prominent person

Leave a Comment