Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder - Part Two: Becoming Elizabeth episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 20, 2025 · 34 MIN

Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder - Part Two: Becoming Elizabeth

from Once Upon A Crime

Before she became The Black Dahlia, Elizabeth Short was simply Beth — a young woman with big dreams, an open heart, and a longing for something beyond the ordinary. In Part Two: Becoming Elizabeth, we step back in time to uncover the story of the woman behind the legend.From her childhood in Medford, Massachusetts, through family tragedy, illness, and the Great Depression, we follow Elizabeth’s journey into adolescence — a girl fascinated by Hollywood glamour and determined to create a better life for herself.We trace her adventures from the frozen streets of New England to the sun-drenched beaches of Florida and the military bases of California during World War II. Along the way, we meet the men who loved her — and the heartbreaks that would shape her fate.This episode explores the making of Elizabeth Short: the beauty, the dreamer, and the woman who walked fearlessly into a world that would one day remember her by another name.About This SeriesBROKEN: The Black Dahlia Murder is a six-part Once Upon a Crime original series. Through extensive research, historical records, and firsthand accounts, Esther Ludlow uncovers the truth behind America’s most infamous unsolved murder, separating fact from fiction to rediscover the real woman behind the myth.Sources & ReferencesLos Angeles Police Department and FBI case archives and reports.“Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood” by William J. Mann, Simon & Schuster, (Advanced Reader Copy), Publication date: January 13, 2026. “Severed: The True Story of the Black Dahlia Murder” by John Gilmore.Historic articles from the Los Angeles Times and The Examiner (1947). (Accessed on Newspapers.com.) Sponsors: See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website:https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcastMortal Musings Podcast: https://mortalmusingspodcast.com/ Visit the new OUAC MERCH SHOP! For a limited time, get up to 27% off all products — including $16 tees — during our Grand Opening Sale. But hurry, deals end October 31st!Shop now at onceuponacrime.dashery.com.✈️ Travel with Us to Mexico City! 🇲🇽 We’re taking Once Upon a Crime on the road—and you’re invited! In March 2026, join us for a fun, fabulous 4-day group trip to vibrant Mexico City. Explore incredible sights, savor delicious food, and connect with fellow true crimefans on an unforgettable adventure.Reserve your spot today with just 25% down—but hurry, space is limited and will sell out fast!🔗 Click here to learn more and book your spot now!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before she became The Black Dahlia, Elizabeth Short was simply Beth — a young woman with big dreams, an open heart, and a longing for something beyond the ordinary. In Part Two: Becoming Elizabeth, we step back in time to uncover the story of the woman behind the legend.From her childhood in Medford, Massachusetts, through family tragedy, illness, and the Great Depression, we follow Elizabeth’s journey into adolescence — a girl fascinated by Hollywood glamour and determined to create a better life for herself.We trace her adventures from the frozen streets of New England to the sun-drenched beaches of Florida and the military bases of California during World War II. Along the way, we meet the men who loved her — and the heartbreaks that would shape her fate.This episode explores the making of Elizabeth Short: the beauty, the dreamer, and the woman who walked fearlessly into a world that would one day remember her by another name.About This SeriesBROKEN: The Black Dahlia Murder is a six-part Once Upon a Crime original series. Through extensive research, historical records, and firsthand accounts, Esther Ludlow uncovers the truth behind America’s most infamous unsolved murder, separating fact from fiction to rediscover the real woman behind the myth.Sources & ReferencesLos Angeles Police Department and FBI case archives and reports.“Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood” by William J. Mann, Simon & Schuster, (Advanced Reader Copy), Publication date: January 13, 2026. “Severed: The True Story of the Black Dahlia Murder” by John Gilmore.Historic articles from the Los Angeles Times and The Examiner (1947). (Accessed on Newspapers.com.) Sponsors: See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website:https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcastMortal Musings Podcast: https://mortalmusingspodcast.com/ Visit the new OUAC MERCH SHOP! For a limited time, get up to 27% off all products — including $16 tees — during our Grand Opening Sale. But hurry, deals end October 31st!Shop now at onceuponacrime.dashery.com.✈️ Travel with Us to Mexico City! 🇲🇽 We’re taking Once Upon a Crime on the road—and you’re invited! In March 2026, join us for a fun, fabulous 4-day group trip to vibrant Mexico City. Explore incredible sights, savor delicious food, and connect with fellow true crimefans on an unforgettable adventure.Reserve your spot today with just 25% down—but hurry, space is limited and will sell out fast!🔗 Click here to learn more and book your spot now! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NOW PLAYING

Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder - Part Two: Becoming Elizabeth

0:00 34:39

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

MG Show MG Show The MG Show, hosted by Jeffrey Pedersen and Shannon Townsend, is a leading alternative media platform dedicated to uncovering the truth behind today’s most pressing political issues. Launched in 2019, the show has grown exponentially, offering unfiltered insights, comprehensive research, and real-time analysis. With a commitment to independent journalism and factual integrity, the MG Show empowers its audience with knowledge and encourages active participation in the political discourse. Ask A Spaceman Archives - 365 Days of Astronomy Ask A Spaceman Archives - 365 Days of Astronomy Podcasting Astronomy Every Day of the Year French Your Way Jessica: Native French teacher founder of French Your Way Boost your French listening skills and test your comprehension with this one of a kind series of podcasts. Get the chance to listen to a real conversation between native speakers talking at normal speed AND customise your learning experience through carefully designed sets of questions (2 levels of difficulty) available for download at www.frenchvoicespodcast.com. All interviews also come with the transcript. French teacher Jessica interviews native speakers of French from around the world who share a bit of their life and passion. Where else would you meet in one same place a French yoga teacher based in Melbourne, a soap manufacturer from Provence, or a couple cycling around the world? The Small Business Startup School – Business Notes | Financial Literacy | Retail Psychology – For Professionals & Entrepreneurs The Small Business Startup School Inc. Starting or buying a small business? While personal circumstances may vary, business patterns remain timeless. On The Small Business Startup School, we explore strategies, insights, and practical solutions to help entrepreneurs confidently navigate their journey.Hosted by Ola Williams—a retail entrepreneur, fintech founder, and financial coach with over two decades of experience—this podcast marries financial awareness and retail psychology with optimism to deliver actionable takeaways.Join us to learn, grow, and connect as we uncover the keys to business success.Let’s continue to learn together and be encouraged to keep on connecting!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Once Upon A Crime?

This episode is 34 minutes long.

When was this Once Upon A Crime episode published?

This episode was published on October 20, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Before she became The Black Dahlia, Elizabeth Short was simply Beth — a young woman with big dreams, an open heart, and a longing for something beyond the ordinary. In Part Two: Becoming Elizabeth, we step back in time to uncover the story of the...

Can I download this Once Upon A Crime episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!