Crime Author Steve Hodel to Unveil New Black Dahlia Evidence at the Library on 8/22

Steve Hodel, New York Times bestselling author of “Black Dahlia Avenger: A Genius for Murder” and his latest, 2012’s “Black Dahlia Avenger II” will return for an encore ‘Author Night’ appearance in the South Pasadena Public Library Community Room on August 22 at 7:00 p.m.  In 2008  and 2011 Hodel appeared before full house audiences in the venue and revealed a wealth of compelling evidence that his father, Dr. George Hodel, was 1947’s Black Dahlia murderer, the perpetrator of one of the most infamous crimes in Los Angeles history. 

George Hodel (1907-1999) grew up a mere stone’s throw from South Pasadena on an estate on Monterey Road. He was identified as a child musical prodigy and the Hodel home was even visited by famed composer Rachmaninoff. Later George Hodel was declared a boy genius after scoring 186 on an IQ test, purportedly 1 point higher than Einstein. George graduated early from South Pasadena High School and in 1923 at only age 15 entered Cal Tech. Later as Dr. George Hodel, a physician, he hobnobbed with Hollywood socialites. 1n 1949 Dr. George Hodel became a Black Dahlia murder suspect and the LAPD planted two microphones in the family home.  George Hodel then quickly disappeared to the Philippines under suspicious circumstances, leaving behind incriminating evidence discovered by his son, Steve Hodel.

Steve Hodel spent 24 years as a homicide detective with the LAPD  earning one of the highest “solve rates” in the department before becoming a  nonfiction crime author.  The publication of “Black Dahlia Avenger”  and “Black Dahlia Avenger II” have garnered national news coverage and television appearances. Experts past and present agree that the Black Dahlia Case is solved:

“I have no doubt in my mind that George Hodel murdered Elizabeth Short. The most haunting murder mystery in Los Angeles County during the Twentieth Century has finally been solved in the Twenty-First-Century.” - Stephen R. Kay,  L.A. County Head Deputy District Attorney

“With the tenacity and patience of the veteran homicide detective he once was, Hodel goes from odd coincidence to rock solid conclusion. Taking us on the intriguing and unsettling journey every step of the way, Hodel’s investigation is thoroughly and completely convincing. So too is this book. As far as I’m concerned, this case is closed.”-  Michael Connelly, New York Times Bestselling author and creator of the Harry Bosch mystery series

“When the transcripts came out from the D.A.’s Office, that took it over the top… unless you find some major holes in Hodel’s investigation, go ahead and clear the Black Dahlia case.” - James McMurray,  LAPD Chief of Detectives

“…In my professional opinion Hodel has put the pieces together and solved the case. [Black Dahlia]”- Thomas Vetter,  Los Angeles Sheriff’s Commander (ret.)

The Author Night program is free and open to the public and presented by the South Pasadena Public Library and the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library. The Community Room is located at 1115 El Centro Street and no tickets or reservations are necessary. Refreshments will be provided. Special thanks to Anneline De Croos & Scott Gandell/South Pasadena Mercantile.