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The Ruthless Murder of Elizabeth Short
Better known as “The Black Dahlia,” Elizabeth Short was found dismembered in Los Angeles. Her murder remains unsolved.
Elizabeth Short was born on July 29,1924, to Cleo and Phoebe Mae Short in Hyde Park, Massachusetts. Cleo and Phoebe lived at 115 Salem Street in Medford, Massachusetts. She was the couple’s third of five daughters, and her family called her “Betty.”
Elizabeth grew up to be an exotic beauty with striking blue eyes and black hair that contrasted her porcelain skin. She was vivacious and flirty. Elizabeth attended Medford High School until June of 1940 when she moved to Hollywood in hopes of becoming an actress.
Cleo and Phoebe became estranged around 1940; the Federal census shows Phoebe as head of household that year. Rumors that Cleo faked his own suicide and abandoned his family are entirely unsubstantiated. In fact, Elizabeth’s father left money in a trust to help his Phoebe care for their girls before he moved to Vallejo, California, in 1943.
Elizabeth wrote a letter to her father asking him to send money so she could live with him in California. She made it to Vallejo, but her relationship with Cleo was strained. He wanted his daughter to stay home nights. But Elizabeth drifted south to Los Angeles and was arrested for underage drinking. After the arrest, Cleo kicked Elizabeth out, and she returned to Medford.
In 1944, Elizabeth experienced respiratory problems brought on by asthma and bronchitis. Her doctor advised her to move to a warmer climate during the harsh Massachusetts winters. Elizabeth moved to Florida and met Major Matt Gordon Jr.
Elizabeth and Michael frequently exchanged letters and before long, the two fell in love. Matt purchased a wedding ring and planned to marry Elizabeth. Tragically, Matt died in an airplane crash over India on August 10, 1945. Elizabeth kept a telegram in her…
