Fauna Hodel Dies at age 66-May She Rest In Peace

September 30, 2017
Los Angeles, California

Fauna Hodel
August 1, 1951 – September 30, 2017

I just received this posting a few hours ago, announcing the death of my niece, Fauna Hodel, who passed away at her home under hospice care at age 66. Fauna had been fighting cancer for over a year, and it had recently metastasized to other vital organs.

Fauna was the daughter of my half-sister, Tamar who at age fifteen gave birth to Fauna in 1951.  Tamar, an unmarried teenager told the San Francisco hospital staff that the “unnamed father was a negro” and Fauna was subsequently adopted and raised by a Black family in Sparks, Nevada.

Fauna as an adult was able to locate and reconnect with her birth mother, Tamar and reunited with her in Hawaii in the Seventies. Tamar passed away in 2015, almost two years to the day of Fauna’s passing.

My condolences to Rasha and her sister Yvette, and to and to the rest of Tamar’s children,  Deborah (Fauna II) , Peace, Love, and  Joy.

Rest in Peace Fauna.

Love,   Uncle Steve

 

46 Comments

  1. Lucas Pickford on October 2, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    Our heart felt condolences Steve. 66 is really quite young. If GHH was a shadow and Tamar’s life, you my friend were a source light and something good. Rest In Peace Fauna Hodel. – Lucas & Kristin Pickford

    • Steve Hodel on October 2, 2017 at 6:53 pm

      L&K Pickford: Thanks for the condolences.

    • France on August 7, 2018 at 10:01 pm

      Out of the blue I connected with Fauna and she made me feel like I mattered. We had a link from Gerry Stober and… mes sympathies à tous ceux qu’elle a touché en plein dans l’âme ❤️

  2. Kenneth Green on October 3, 2017 at 7:30 pm

    Sorry for your loss. I’ve spoken to Fauna twice over the phone. They were wonderful encounters. And we were Facebook friends. She had a wonderful spirit. RIP

    • steve hodel on October 3, 2017 at 9:01 pm

      Kenneth G: Thank you. Much appreciated. Steve

      • Rexx on February 9, 2022 at 4:23 pm

        I was watching the rerun of ghost adventures and decided to look Fauna up on Instagram.
        I went through her photos, seeing the post about began diagnosed with breast cancer.
        Then I saw that her posts stopped in 2017.
        I said, Oh no, to myself. Then checked the website she added to the bio – the domain name was available – an I knew.
        This website confirmed my fear. She was gone.
        I’m saddened by it even though I didn’t know her.
        Seeing the rerun, on right now, is harder to watch because of her passing.
        Rest in peace, Fauna 🙏

  3. Angela Navarro on October 3, 2017 at 11:17 pm

    So very sorry Steve, please express my love to Kelly and Angel. So young and so beautiful. Much love to all.

    • Steve Hodel on October 4, 2017 at 1:40 am

      Angela N: Thanks. I will be seeing them tomorrow for Kelly’s Birthday and I will.
      Best, Steve

  4. Kathy G. on October 4, 2017 at 2:06 am

    So sorry for your loss Steve. She was a good person trying to find her way in this world. So sorry for her children as well. 66 is really too young. Rest in Peace Fauna.

    • Steve Hodel on October 4, 2017 at 9:15 am

      Kathy G. Thank you for the thoughts. Steve

  5. Teresa M on October 4, 2017 at 4:39 am

    I read her delightful book she wrote and she had a strength and tenacity she had and always seemed to remain so positive and loving. I checked on her recently and saw there was going to be a tv series based on that book she wrote I am so glad she was able to hear that news. She was a bright lite in this world. I am sorry to hear of her passing. My condolences to you and your family rest in peace now Fauna

    • Steve Hodel on October 4, 2017 at 9:17 am

      Teresa M: Thank you, Teresa. Steve

  6. Kim H. on November 1, 2017 at 11:09 pm

    I am sincerely saddened and in shock to hear of Fauna’s passing. I have read the books you have written Mr. Hodel and was unaware of Fauna’s story up to about 2 months ago. I am actually in the process of reading it right now and find her to be an inspiration in the face of such adversity. To, by chance, have come across her book in the first place and now to discover there will not be any opportunity to let her know that her story has affected people in a thought-provoking and positive way, seems such a loss. May there be consolation in knowing that there are still people discovering her story each day and that Fauna will continue to have a positive impact in the years to come. My sincerest sympathy to your family at this most difficult time.

    • Steve Hodel on November 1, 2017 at 11:32 pm

      Kim H: Thank you Kim. Much appreciated. Steve

  7. Robert Palmer on December 15, 2017 at 1:02 pm

    I AM ABSOLUTELY SPEECHLESS.
    IF ANYBODY I KNOW THAT HAD A LOT OF PRACTICE AT BEING AN ANGEL—IT’S FAUNA.
    YOU ARE FINALLY HOME AMONGST YOUR PEERS.

    FAUNA, ASK THEM TO GO LIGHT ON US DOWN HERE.????????????????❤️
    WE’LL ALL SEE YOU SOON BRIGHT STAR; R.I.P.
    Robert Palmer

  8. Charles porter on February 14, 2018 at 10:05 pm

    What about the movie about her life that shr filmed in Reno nv , is the story still gona be told…My name is Charles Porter i went to school with fauna , i also playwd a role in the movie… 7

    • Steve Hodel on February 14, 2018 at 10:22 pm

      Charles P. I have no information on the earlier film that was made. I think it was originally called “Pretty Hattie’s Baby”. According to my half-sister Tamar (Fauna’s mother), there were legal problems/battles and it never made it to the big screen. Have no idea what the current status is? Regards, Steve

  9. Fire Wilson on October 5, 2018 at 5:46 am

    Oh hell, what a shame.i had no idea so sorry, Steve.im a year younger. Really very ill. If we can see each other where ever we go next I hope to osee her.for many years I have been wondering if I will be able to meet Beth short in the next stage of our existence I think of her so much.like a few days ago I was in the hospital where I am a frequent flyer and the bed said I weighed 121 pounds my mind thought of Beth short and she weighed about 115 I thought of how her body would look in comparison to mine.pretty weird, huh.sometimes I think about the time George told fauna about the carpet nether regions and stomped on it.really out landish nuts did I ever tell you that I know a guy who has files from donahoe the cop, in his basement? Swear to God it’s true he also has a silver cigarette lighter that is engraved sherry she was the girlfriend of one of those club owners in Hollywood back then.old kind of lighter has a little stick wick thing that unscrews to strike on the bottom . Oh, another thing, ever hear of the suspect Morrison named by Arnold Smith in John Gilmore severed book? Smith aka Jack Wilson claimed Morrison present during Elizabeth murder well Gilmore says the FBI and LAPD not able to find Morrison I found him he was the owner of the mocambo e mail me if you want me to see about getting you the box from donahoe stuff the guy who has it got it from the detective house as a gift when d retired the house near by dodger stadium I think the guy was a kid who was a fan of the detective who took him under his wing so to speak.god bless lovely fauna.best wishes always and take care of yourself fire Wilson

    • Steve Hodel on October 5, 2018 at 9:28 am

      Fire W. Sorry for your poor health. Wishing you well. As far as a Donahoe box, sure if it still exists and you have access to it happy to take a look. You never know. Best Regards, Steve.

  10. b on October 21, 2018 at 11:06 pm

    But she’s also your sister

    • Steve Hodel on October 21, 2018 at 11:12 pm

      No, not my sister. Fauna was my half-sister, Tamar’s daughter, so she was my niece.

      • ProfNo on January 22, 2019 at 2:54 am

        So you’re saying your father wasn’t also her father? I read her book and it seems as if you’re in denial.

        • Steve Hodel on January 22, 2019 at 6:41 pm

          ProfNo: If when you say “her father” if you mean Fauna, yes that’s correct. I’m not in denial. Tamar and I shared the same father, Dr. George Hill Hodel. Fauna Hodel’s father was an Italian living in San Francisco. Tamar became pregnant with Fauna after our father left the U.S.

  11. Jack Morinaga on October 22, 2018 at 12:30 pm

    TNT is soon to be showing a Mini series titled I AM THE NIGHT which is supposed to be a dramatized version of Fauna’s life story. Did they ask you to consult on this?

    • Steve Hodel on October 22, 2018 at 1:02 pm

      Jack M: No, I was not consulted on the upcoming TNT miniseries and know nothing about where they are going with the story, other than what has been publicized. Its a fictionalized story “based on” Fauna’s life as presented in her book. I’ll have to wait and see where they go with and how they connect it to the Dahlia investigation? Regards, Steve

  12. Laura Gramenz on January 3, 2019 at 6:17 am

    So sorry to hear of Fauna’s (and Tamar’s) passing. I’ve read your books concerning the mountain of evidence that GHH was one of the most cunning killers in history and had seen Fauna on some television shows. I apologize for the lateness of my condolences. While looking into a miniseries “based on” her life airing later this month, I saw that she’d lost her battle with cancer shortly after Tamar passed. Hopefully the show does her and your half sister justice.

    • Steve Hodel on January 3, 2019 at 10:36 am

      Laura G: Thank you for the condolences. Much appreciated. Steve

  13. STEVEN INGLEDUE on January 25, 2019 at 11:42 pm

    Hi I was honored to work with Fauna here in hawaii at a Art Gallery and become her friend and we were in touch over the years here in hawaii and when we both lived in Los angeles… I am happy that her story will finally be told to the world… but nothing will compare to the time I had spent with her and her children … she worked with a great magazine in Los Angeles and had a radio show that she interview women of power and influence … Fauna had a glow about her always and she touched so many people’s lives with love and inspiration…

  14. Harold Jones on January 28, 2019 at 11:36 pm

    My condolences I would have loved to have met her.may she RIP I want to read her book

    • Steve Hodel on January 31, 2019 at 5:01 pm

      Harol J: Thanks for the kind words.

  15. Stacie on January 29, 2019 at 1:45 pm

    Many prayers to all of the family. May you have peace and love.

    • Steve Hodel on January 31, 2019 at 4:49 pm

      Stacie: Thank you for the kind words. Much appreciated.

  16. Karen Stearns on January 29, 2019 at 8:18 pm

    Dear Steve, Did Fauna ever locate her bio-dad?

    • Steve Hodel on January 31, 2019 at 4:48 pm

      No, not to my knowledge. My half-sister Tamar indicated he was an Italian living near her home in San Francisco back in 1951, but no name?

  17. Debra Lee Sparks on February 1, 2019 at 6:12 am

    I just watched the pilot of “ I am the night. “ I understand how Tamar felt about the love black people have for their families. I am from a Irish American family who NEVER touched, kissed, or really cared what happened to any of us. A couple of years ago, I was in church, and when the preacher said to hug our neighbors around us, an old black lady came up to me and hugged me for a long time. I was so greatfull I kissed her cheek. She, a complete stranger did something that my mother never did. I can’t wait to watch the rest of the series.

    • C.A.Giacoma on October 25, 2021 at 2:33 am

      Thank you for sharing this.

  18. Jesus T Alonzo on February 2, 2019 at 3:07 pm

    Steve; I want thank you for your books. It just confirms to me that someone beyond this world
    has given you the strength, wisdom, and the fortitude to write these books!

    To your Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Mother who are with in Heaven I believe they are in
    Peace Thanks be to God.

    Jesus T Alonzo

    • Steve Hodel on February 2, 2019 at 3:10 pm

      Jesus A: Thank you for the kind words for me and my family. Greatly appreciated. Best Wishes to you and yours.

  19. Jacqueline Denney on February 18, 2019 at 11:25 pm

    I am watching the series I Am The Night. So was Fauna half black or not? You said her father was Italian, but was he a white Italian? I know some Italians can be a little on the dark skinned side, but not of African descent. I had an Uncle of Italian descent who was pretty dark skinned for a white guy. Did she ever do a DNA test like on Ancestry.com, which can match you with blood relatives, as well as snow your genetic makeup.

    • Steve Hodel on February 18, 2019 at 11:59 pm

      Jacqueline D: No, According to my half sister Tamar her daughter was White. A White Italian not Black. Again, keep in mind the miniseries is fiction. I’m not watching any of the episodes so don’t know where they are going with it.

      • Jacqueline Denney on February 20, 2019 at 2:27 pm

        Thank you for answering my questions. The mini series isn’t done yet, but in it, they showed her birth certificate as saying the mother was white and the father was black. Then They have a female Hodel relative tell Fauna that she isn’t really half black and that her father was a French ballet dancer. Did the real Fauna live with a black family like in the movie? I’m confused why if she wasn’t part black. Did she keep contact with her black family in real life, once she reunited with the Hodel family? Of course we have to remember that Fauna was a real person and not a character in a mini series. It’s nice to hear that she reunited with her family in real life and it sounds like she was warmly accepted. And loved. It’s sad that she was gone from your lives too young. I lost my mother to cancer when she was only 62.

  20. Fauna Elizabeth H. Wilson on February 19, 2019 at 4:51 pm

    Thank you Uncle Steve for answering these many questions, and taking the time time to do so. If I may speak for and my sister, Tamar, (mom) always said she was raped and didn’t know his name. My sister was afraid her father was George, I have never believed that to be true. For one, it was too risky for Grandfather George, ( blood test were available) and Tamar didn’t want his child! We all Miss Fauna VERY, VERY MUCH❣ I miss sister talks and lunches most of all….

    • Steve Hodel on February 19, 2019 at 5:20 pm

      Fauna E.H.W: Fauna as I think I told you, George Hodel was out of the country when Fauna I became pregnant, so it would have been a physical impossibility that he could have been her father. I’m sorry for your loss. As you know, I only met your half-sister a few times in life, but she passed on way too young. As you know, I lost my brother. Michael, to cancer, when he was just 47, so I know how hard it is. Uncle Steve

  21. Clif Tibbits on February 20, 2019 at 12:07 pm

    Our father in heaven, receive our sister, may her presence be as warm wind,i in a cold breeze, may her light be of a helpful one as angels do ,Prayers are never too late, until that great day…when we all return home…May Peace and Calm be with our sister,,…Thank you Lord, May her soul be with you ,In Heaven forever more, Truly Greatfull, Thankfull and I Await my Return….Home Father….

  22. Linfda Lazaroff on March 28, 2019 at 10:29 am

    I have watched the mini series and purchased Fauna’s book, One Day She’ll Darken and Steve’s book, Black Dahlia Avenger III. I have spent many hours on the internet reading about Fauna and the Hodel family. I was sad to hear that Fauna had passed away and would have loved meeting and getting to know her. What a sad life. May Fauna rest in peace knowing her story has been told. I saw the interview on the Dr .Phil show yesterday (March 27th). Just hearing Steve talk about using a cadaver dog in the home many years later and the dog locating human remains in the dirt was very disturbing. I don’t know if I could bring myself to enter that home. Thank you Steve and Fauna for sharing your story.

    • Steve Hodel on March 28, 2019 at 10:46 am

      Linfda L: Thank you for the kind words and condolences for my niece Fauna. Yes, “Buster” was an amazing dog and one of the best. He located many WWII MIA graves in Europe and in the Pacific islands. He like Fauna passed away just a few years ago also from cancer. Regards, Steve

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