Category Archives: Homicide

August 27,1958: Woman kills husband over singing, Reds win against Dodgers

August 27, 1958: Was the late Benjamin Beynon, stabbed to death by his wife, an abusive husband or just a bad singer? Continue reading

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George Hodel: Ask Me Anything, August 2025

This month’s Ask Me Anything on George Hodel and Steve Hodel in the Black Dahlia case. Continue reading

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August 11, 1969: Ritual Killings Terrorize L.A.

Here is Deputy District Attorney Vincent Bugliosi’s opening statement in the Tate-La Bianca murders of August 9-10, 1969. Continue reading

Posted in #courts, @news, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Television | Comments Off on August 11, 1969: Ritual Killings Terrorize L.A.

Aug. 11, 1947: Two Men Found Shot to Death in Bizarre Mystery

August 11, 1947: Two men are found shot to death in a motel room on Cahuenga Boulevard. They were fully clothed except for their shoes. Continue reading

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Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, August 2025

This month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case, including a progress report on Heaven Is HERE! and look at William Mann’s forthcoming “Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood.” Continue reading

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Aug. 5, 1947: Hitchhiking Couple Confess to ‘Kiss of Death’ Murder

August 5, 1947: Joseph Hardy and Lois Hunt were hitchhiking and killed a California man who picked them up. They pulled off in a forest in Nevada and Hardy excused himself while Lois began kissing James W. McLain. Hardy came back and shot McLain three times in the head. After burying McLain, they took his car, gambled away his money and flipped his car. Continue reading

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Dead Man’s Last Words: ‘Here’s a Good Spot to Shoot, Baby,’ July 25, 1944

July 25, 1944: William B. Smith’s last words to his angry girlfriend were “Here’s a good spot to shoot, baby,” after he said he was going back to his wife. Continue reading

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July 24, 1947: Honor Student Vesta Belle Sapenter, 17, Strangled

July 24, 1947: Jefferson High honor student Vesta Belle is found strangled in her bedroom. Continue reading

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George Hodel: Ask Me Anything, July 2025

This month’s Ask Me Anything on George Hodel and Steve Hodel in the Black Dahlia case. Continue reading

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Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, July 2025

This month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case, including a progress report on Heaven Is HERE! and a summary of the forthcoming book that “solves” the Black Dahlia case, Eli Frankel’s “Sisters in Death.” Continue reading

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George Hodel: Ask Me Anything, June 2025

This month’s Ask Me Anything on George Hodel and Steve Hodel in the Black Dahlia case. Continue reading

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Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, June 2025

This month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case, including a progress report on Heaven Is HERE! and a summary of the forthcoming book that “solves” the Black Dahlia case, Eli Frankel’s “Sisters in Death.” Continue reading

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George Hodel: Ask Me Anything, May 2025

This month’s Ask Me Anything on George Hodel and Steve Hodel in the Black Dahlia case. Continue reading

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Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, May 2025

This month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case, including a progress report on Heaven Is HERE! and a summary of the forthcoming book that “solves” the Black Dahlia case, Eli Frankel’s “Sisters in Death.” Continue reading

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George Hodel: Ask Me Anything, April 2025

This month’s Ask Me Anything on George Hodel and Steve Hodel in the Black Dahlia case. Continue reading

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Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, April 2025

This month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case, including a progress report on Heaven Is HERE! and forthcoming books that “solve” the Black Dahlia case by William Mann and Eli Frankel Continue reading

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Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights: M.E. Firman, Lady Detective

In an encore post, Mary Mallory looks at the career of Marie E. “M.E.” Firman, early “lady detective” of Los Angeles Continue reading

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George Hodel: Ask Me Anything, March 2025

This month’s Ask Me Anything on George Hodel and Steve Hodel in the Black Dahlia case. Continue reading

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Black Dahlia: Ask Me Anything, March 2025

This month’s Ask Me Anything on the Black Dahlia case, including a progress report on Heaven Is HERE! and a forthcoming book on the Black Dahlia case by William Mann. Continue reading

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When Doctors Turn Deadly: Hallie Rubenhold’s ‘Story of a Murder: The Wives, the Mistress, and Dr. Crippen’

An advance look at Hallie Rubenhold’s forthcoming “Story of a Murder.” Well-written and suspenseful!
@hallierubenhold.bsky.social Continue reading

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