More than 10 years ago, Steve Hodel came forward to claim that he has evidence that can end the mystery surrounding the infamous Black Dahlia murder case, which involved the grisly mutilation and killing of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short in 1947, The Guardian reported.
"A former LAPD homicide detective, Steve Hodel, claims to have solved the mystery and has published his findings in a new book, Black Dahlia Avenger," the British publication noted. "The most remarkable aspect of Hodel's claim is the identity of the supposed killer: Dr George Hodel, the detective's own father."
Now, about 11 years later, Hodel has returned to say that there is new evidence to support his claim that his own dad was behind the shocking, unsolved murder.
"Analysis of soil taken from a location indicated by the cadaver dog found chemical markers for human decomposition, said the scientist who performed the labwork at the request of the retired detective," NBC News said. "Hodel believes his father committed murders in or near the house, and in some cases buried the remains nearby in unmarked graves."
"I see him as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Unfortunately, the monster, Mr. Hyde, was stronger and over-ruled the good," Hodel revealed.
The former homicide detective first suspected of his father's involvement after going through the personal effects of his father after he died. "Writing books and continuing his research, Hodel came to suspect his father had killed repeatedly before fleeing to Asia in the late 1940s," NBC News continued.
During the decade of the Black Dahlia case, the Hodels lived in the Sowden House, now a Hollywood landmark. Record in the District Attorney's office also revealed that Hodel's doctor dad had "come under suspicion" in relation to the case and that a bug was even planted in the house.
"Transcripts reveal that detectives heard him discussing the Dahlia at one point. At another time, they heard from the basement what sounded like a woman being attacked," the news source said.
After Hodel was able to return to the Sowden House in 2012 and also got permission to work with a search dog, "a scent of human decomposition at several locations, including in the alley behind the house." However, Varpad Vass, Ph.D., a forensic anthropologist and pioneer in chemical analysis of human decomposition, explained that "where the scent is picked up does not necessarily mean that is where the chemical remains are located; carried over time by water or gravity, the marker molecules can migrate considerable distances."
A soil ample culled from the said alley was tested last year and was found "positive for human remains because there are a number of human-specific markers," according to Vass. However, the time of death ranged from 20-100 years ago. Despite this, Vass said the findings were "consistent" with Hodel's suspicions about homicide victims being buried in shallow graves nearly a century ago.
Although the LAPD has not shown interest in investigating Hodel's lead, the former cop has not thrown in the towel yet and vowed to "keep digging."
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