Echoes in Elysian Park—Cast in Stone: A Tale of Two Hodels and the LAPD Police Academy
August 1, 2025 Birch Bay, Washington The Academy: Born from Reform, Cast in Stone The LAPD Police Academy was dedicated in 1936, built with assistance from the federal WPA under Chief James E. Davis, to clean up a force once riddled with scandal. Nestled in the canyons of Elysian Park, it served both as…
Read MoreManhattan Beach Artist/Surfer Zen Del Rio’s Death at Age 68, Shocks Hundreds of South Bay Friends
July 15, 2025 Birch Bay, Washington Zen Del Rio Sad news to report. Zen Del Rio, the son of artist, Gemma Toccogna, has passed away. Zen, an artist/surfing guru and all around good guy died on June 30, 2025 at age-68. Rest In Peace Zen and Thank You for the Love and Friendship you shared…
Read MoreMike Hodel’s “Negotiations at a Lower Level” originally published in Fantasy Book, November 1982
July 8, 2025 Birch Bay, Washington “Negotiations at a Lower Level” by Mike Hodel My brother, Michael Paul Hodel, passed away in 1986 after a diagnosis of cancer. From diagnosis to death in about 30 days. He was 47 years old. He is greatly missed. He was an author (Enter the Lion) and and for…
Read MoreCathi Unsworth, “Mistress of Crime” Writes an Unsworthy Introduction to Author Brian Robb’s, “Black Dahlia: the art of killing”-World Crime Magazine
July 6, 2025 Birch Bay, Washington This is a follow-up, Part II, to the earlier posted blog, “ForteanTimes, Weird Crime Magazine, Black Dahlia: the art of killing.” …”But it was retired LA cop Steve Hodel’s 2004 Black Dahlia Avenger that convinced everyone from James Ellroy to the LAPD’s former head of detectives*, James McMurray, that…
Read MoreForteanTimes Weird Crime Magazine (UK) 2025 Article on the 1947 Black Dahlia Murder
July 5, 2025 Birch Bay, Washington Here is a posting of the UK’s ForteanTimes 2025 Weird Crime Magazine article by Brian J. Robb, summarizing the 1947 Black Dahlia murder investigation and listing what he considers to be the main suspects investigated through the decades. Overall, this is one of the better researched and well-written articles,…
Read MoreMan Ray/William Seabrook 1930 Photographs: Mysogyny or Surrealists Exploration of Eroticism?
June 28, 2025 Birch Bay, Washington Warning: This blog post contains explicit Sado/Masochistic sexual photographs by Man Ray circa 1930. First, let me give a much belated, thank you, to blog reader “KKD” for his reply/comment below received on January 14, 2023 (synchronistically, the anniversary date of Elizabeth Short’s actual murder) on my two-year-old post,…
Read More92-Year-Old Witness Comes Forward In Support of Tamar Hodel’s 1949 Incest Trial Accusations
June 30, 2025 Birch Bay, California A Most Remarkable Witness Once again, let me share with you, the reader, just how much of a living, breathing phenomenon my investigation into the murder of Elizabeth Short, ‘The Black Dahlia’ continues to be. Though I revealed the cover-up and law enforcement’s solution to this horrific murder…
Read MoreInterview with Artist SaraBeth Kendall on the Making of Her Sculpture “Minotaur After Man Ray”
June 18, 2025 Birch Bay, California This past Monday afternoon, I had an opportunity to speak with the artist SaraBeth Kendall about the making of her life-size crochet sculpture, “Minotaur After Man Ray.” Very interesting. Take a listen. Artist SaraBeth Kendall …
Read More1950 Los Angeles Census Names Guests Staying at “Surgeon” George Hodel’s Sowden/Franklin House
June 13 2025 Birch Bay, Washington I am reposting this interesting find (1950 Census of Hodel residence, 5121 Franklin Avenue, Hollywood) by a reader, Charles D, for both its historical and probative value. It was originally posted several years ago. Based on the timing of the Census (April 1950), I recall seeing some records that…
Read MoreSanta Barbara Police Officer Mary Unkefer Heroine–Her QuicK Actions Saves Victim’s Life in Shootout Several Years Before Her 1949 Linking of Dr. George Hodel to Assault/Att. Overdose of Victim Lillian Lenorak and Black Dahlia Investigation
June 1, 2025 Birch Bay, Washington A big White Hat Shero Award goes to Santa Barbara policewoman Mary Unkefer for her 1940s service to the citizens of that community. In 1943 we know she assisted then-nineteen-year-old Elizabeth Short by arresting her for “Minor Possession” due to her presence inside a local bar with adult servicemen…
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