Today is the 60th anniversary

Elizabeth Short's body was discovered on this day (January 15) 60 years ago in a vacant lot in the 3800 block of South Norton Avenue of the Leimert Park District of Los Angeles. Her body was placed in the lot sometime well after 2:00 AM and before 6:00 AM. The temperature on that winter morning in 1947 in Los Angeles was 38 degrees.

This morning, January 15, 2007, around 5:00 AM, my brother and I drove to the site, now a fully developed housing tract. The exact spot where she was laid, according to the original coroner's inquest, was 54 feet north of the fire hydrant (which is still there), on the west side of the street. Once there I left some flowers in her memory -- for all of those who remember her; along with the flowers was a poster that included her picture and the following words:

"ELIZABETH SHORT (“THE BLACK DAHLIA”)
JULY 29, 1924 — JANUARY 15, 1947

These flowers are laid here in loving memory of Elizabeth Short, whose murdered and dismembered body was discovered on this very morning 60 years ago and on this very spot. Even though she knew much sadness and pain during her short life on earth, it is certain that she has since found peace in heaven."


The temperature at 5:00 AM this morning was 38 degrees.



"The dogs may bark, but the caravan passes on."