CBS Video-“Black Dahlia Confidential”—Tamar Hodel, James Ellroy, Michelle Phillips and the Evidence

August 29, 2026
Birch Bay, Washington

Producer David Browning and his crew at the Sowden House filming Black Dahlia Confidential in 2003, shortly after my book Black Dahlia Avenger was published in April of that year.

I personally consider this production the best overall presentation of the case. It included interviews with my half-sister Tamar Hodel, the victim of incest committed by our father in 1949; author James Ellroy, who endorsed my investigation; Michelle Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas, a close friend of Tamar’s; Head Deputy District Attorney Steve Kay; and others.

Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and Papas, Tamar Hodel’s friend since 1958

A massive amount of new witness testimony and hard physical evidence has been developed since that original presentation. But even then, a prosecutable case had been made.

Here is a link to the full one-hour documentary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbjEhvQHRiM

Enjoy.