Original 1948 True Detective Magazine Confirms the Press, the DA’s Office, and the LAPD Detectives All Believed the 1947 “Black Dahlia Murders” Suspect was a Serial Killer
November 7, 2024
Birch Bay, Washington
In recent weeks, the Los Angeles Times has attempted to revive the 1997 theory coming from its own long-retired copyboy editor, wannabe detective, and self-appointed “Black Dahlia Expert” who has been claiming for twenty-six years that an aged man, “Dr. Walter Bayley,” who had lived a block south of the body dump vacant lot (but, not a resident at the time of the crime in January 1947)-“DID IT.”
The LAT copyeditor (cross your T’s and dot your I’s) came up with his “theory on whodunit” in time for a Los Angeles Times article marking the fiftieth anniversary of the January 15, 1947, infamous murder of Elizabeth Short, known to the world as “The Black Dahlia.” Further, he promised to “reveal all” in a book he began writing back then and is still working on some twenty-six years later.
Setting aside the many problems that he and other “wannabe detectives” present in their separate “theories” (all of whom to date have had zero law enforcement experience in criminal investigations), let me today just focus on their (this includes the LAT copyeditor) insistance that the Black Dahlia murder “was a standalone; a onetime murder, unconnected to any other murders.” (The copyeditor’s insistence comes from the fact that a serial killer would immediately and permanently eliminate his aged Dr. Walter Bayley as the actual killer.)
This assertion ALONE immediately disqualifies his and others “theories.” Law Enforcement agencies, including the assigned detectives, all believed that many of the L.A. Lone Women murders were connected and that an active serial killer was committing the crimes. (In 1947, the term “serial killer” was unknown, and LE’s term was “chain murders.”)
This FAQ (t.3) originally posted circa 2006:
Here, I have reproduced an October 1948 True Detective Magazine lengthy article supporting what LE suspected–that five or more of the crimes were committed by the suspect, calling himself the “Black Dahlia Avenger.”
1949 Long Beach article confirming LAPD suspected nine L.A. Lone Woman Murders might be connected and committed by the same suspect.
Time warp. Great contemporary article on the case.
The description of GHH’s frenzied mind by LAPD ‘s Sex Crimes analyst Dr. J. Paul River, Psychiatrist, set the stage in 1947 for the very active Dr. Hodel to act out his own “therapies” for the abuse he suffered as a young son, student, avid teen lover😔. IMO his frenzied activity started with the death of Fr. Heslin in Colma, CA IN 1921. From then on, George Hodel was a walking time bomb! George Hodel’s superior intelligence gave him great advantage over his victims enabling at least 50 ensuing murders! Was it fear or ennui that “disabled” not only the LAPD, but countless LE agencies nationwide (and probably worldwide) to turn a blind eye to his heinous activities😱! So much to learn here by LE, Medical and Educational agencies! I’m leaning first on Law Enforcement to START the PROCESS & ACKNOWLEDGE AND EXPOSE the murders of George Hill Hodel now!!
Patricia O:
Well said, lady!
Most of the anti-truth forces (against the father or son) on the LAPD are now dead or retired.
I have yet to reveal the WHY of those in the Cold Case Unit who refused to even look at my evidence on the Black Dahlia and L.A. Lone Woman Murders, but that’s another story. Thanks for your longtime support through the decades. Much appreciated.
Hi Steve, Thanks for generousely putting this edition of True Detective up!
When I saw the headline, and after I’d said WOW! Several times,
I thought how long will it take to track this one down. And-BLAM!
You put it up!…As always, Thanks… Mi Amigo Grande….Frans xxx
Frans V:
De nada amigo. This is all about getting the truth out there to the public and trying to correct and dispel THE MYTHS that some “theorists” are trying to peddle to support their theory of a single killer “none before, none after” BS. Like they had nine different suspects back in 1947-1950 running around using the same MO and Crime Signatures tripping over each others bodies between Hollywood and DTLA.
Best to you DownUnder.
Steve, do you believe that George Hodel may also have committed the San Diego killings spoken of in the article? I’m amazed that these savage killings have not received more attention.
Laura:
Yes, I go into detail in my book, “The Early Years Part II (1930s) linking GHH to those San Diego serial crimes and more.
See that book for complete summary of those crimes.