Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia

When Elizabeth Short, also known as The Black Dahlia, was brutally killed in 1947, it gripped the entire country. More than 70 years later, it remains America's most infamous unsolved murder. Many believe Dr. George Hodel was the killer, thanks to an investigation by Hodel's own son. But murder is just part of the Hodel family story, one filled with horrifying secrets that ripple across generations. Now, through never-before-heard archival audio and first-time interviews, the Hodel family opens up to reveal their shocking story. In this eight-part documentary series, sisters Rasha Pecoraro and Yvette Gentile, the great grand daughters of George Hodel, take a deep dive into their family history to try to figure out what really happened, and where do they all go from here? Root of Evil is the companion podcast to TNTs limited series I Am the Night. Inspired by the true story of the Hodel family, the series stars Chris Pine and comes from acclaimed Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins.

Episodes

Introducing Root of Evil

January 22, 2019 • 3 mins

When Elizabeth Short, also known as "The Black Dahlia," was brutally killed in 1947, it gripped the entire country. More than 70 years later, it remains America's most infamous unsolved murder. Many believe Dr. George Hodel was the killer, thanks to an investigation by Hodel's own son. But murder is just part of the Hodel family story, one filled with horrifying secrets that ripple across generations. Now, through never-before-hea...

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Saved By The Ghetto

February 13, 2019 • 42 mins

Fauna Hodel, a biracial girl living in Sparks, Nevada, finds out the truth about who she really is, where she came from, and her terrifying family history.

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Sneak Peek: "You couldn't make this story up."

February 15, 2019 • 4 mins

Steve Hodel, a former LAPD homicide detective, and son of George Hodel - the prime suspect in the Black Dahlia murder, takes us through the gruesome discovery found in Los Angeles on January 15, 1947.

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A Skilled Surgeon

February 20, 2019 • 36 mins

Former LAPD Homicide Detective, Steve Hodel, explains the identity of the Black Dahlia, the circumstances of her murder in 1947 Los Angeles, and how the LAPD's profile of her killer fit Steve's own father, George Hodel.

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George's Gift

February 27, 2019 • 39 mins

A deeper look into the life of George Hodel and his children; his interests, his parties, and the horrifying incident in 1949 that would reshape the Hodel family forever.

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The Minotaur

March 6, 2019 • 43 mins

Steve Hodel receives a phone call that pulls him out of retirement to investigate the Black Dahlia, a murder that had been ice cold for more than 50 years. The deeper Steve gets, the more he comes to accept his father was a sadistic killer.

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Traumatic Reenactment

March 13, 2019 • 54 mins

The vicious cycle of family trauma continues as George Hodel's daughter, Tamar becomes a mother. Her children tell the heartbreaking story of growing up in a shockingly toxic environment.

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Supposin' I Did Kill The Black Dahlia

March 20, 2019 • 65 mins

Steve Hodel uncovers a pile of evidence connecting his father, George Hodel, to the Black Dahlia murder

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The Troubling Questions

March 27, 2019 • 38 mins

Fauna Hodel and her mother, Tamar, both leave their own unique legacies, and their children try to make sense of it all. In doing so, unresolved emotions and crucial questions are raised.

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You Only Have One Family

April 3, 2019 • 43 mins

For the first time in decades, the Hodels gather together in one room to confront their difficult family secrets. They try to collectively make sense of their story and answer the question of how to move forward, knowing they can never escape their past.

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Introducing Gangster Capitalism: The College Admissions Scandal

May 14, 2019 • 5 mins

From the creators of Root of Evil, Gangster Capitalism Season 1 is centered on the 2019 college admissions scandal that is exposing everyone from CEOs to celebrities. Award-winning documentarian, Andrew Jenks uncovers the origins and inner workings of this unprecedented scam, introducing you to the people involved, and exploring the larger debate around higher education in America. The final chapter of this story is still being wri...

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Introducing Somebody Somewhere: The Jungle Murders

June 14, 2019 • 3 mins

In Season 2, David Payne and Jody Gottlieb take you into a world few people ever experience as they investigate a 2016 mass shooting in a Seattle homeless encampment known as "The Jungle." Three teenage brothers were arrested for the crime, but are they the real killers? Only the Jungle knows.

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Introducing "Down the Hill: The Delphi Murders"

February 5, 2020 • 2 mins

Abby and Libby - two young girls murdered. Investigators are searching for the killer using their biggest clue: a recording of his voice from one of the victims' phones ordering the girls Down the Hill. Almost three years later, it's a mystery that still haunts the small town of Delphi, Indiana...and the police say the killer may walk among them.

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Introducing "The Plot Thickens"

April 28, 2020 • 2 mins

Peter Bogdanovich was a young cinephile who quickly rose to become one of Hollywood's top directors. But he soon found himself a victim of jealousy, hubris, public scorn – and a devastating crime. Now, he looks back on a life of fame and failure, and through it all, an enduring love of the movies. A new seven-part documentary podcast from Turner Classic Movies. Subscribe today!

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Welcome to Relative Unknown

August 11, 2020 • 4 mins

From the Peabody Award nominated C13 Originals Studio, and the creators of Root of Evil, comes a new documentary series about the stories, and family we can’t escape.

Jackee Taylor has been hidden in WITSEC, better known as the Witness Protection Program, for almost 40 years. But after a strange and violent incident reveals secrets about her past, Jackee begins a journey to find out the truth about hersel...

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Introducing Mind of a Monster: Jeffrey Dahmer

April 4, 2023 • 36 mins

If you enjoyed Root of Evil, you may like Mind of a Monster: Jeffery Dahmer, a podcast from ID. Listen to the first episode of Season 4 now, and listen to more episodes in the Mind of a Monster feed.

Season 4 of Mind of a Monster examines Jeffrey Dahmer, who from 1978 to 1991 murdered seventeen men and boys, attempted to kill at least two others, and attacked, drugged, and abused countless more. He cannibalized some of his victims...

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Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Introducing Root of Evil

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}Saved By The Ghetto

Sneak Peek: "You couldn't make this story up."

A Skilled Surgeon

George's Gift

The Minotaur

Traumatic Reenactment

Supposin' I Did Kill The Black Dahlia

The Troubling Questions

You Only Have One Family

Introducing Gangster Capitalism: The College Admissions Scandal

Introducing Somebody Somewhere: The Jungle Murders

Introducing "Down the Hill: The Delphi Murders"

Introducing "The Plot Thickens"

Welcome to Relative Unknown

Introducing Mind of a Monster: Jeffrey Dahmer

Popular Podcasts

For You.css-1r2bfgw{margin:0 0 -2px 5px;}

Introducing Root of Evil

Saved By The Ghetto

For You