How does someone as famous as a prime minister simply vanish? In 1967, Australian PM Harold Holt did just that. As authorities searched fruitlessly, no trace of the man was ever found. With his disappearance leaving a multitude of unanswered questions, conspiracy theories quickly erupted. Was Holt at the center of a twisted plot or the victim of a tragic accident? The answers have yet to be revealed, but there are many ideas to be explored surrounding this event. Holt has become more famous for his death than his life; his achievements as PM are overshadowed by this mystery.   “A Breath of Fresh Air” Harold Holt. Source: National Museum Australia   When Harold Holt ascended to the role of prime minister in January 1966, he brought a fresh perspective to the office and country. Holt had been involved in government for many years, serving as a member of Australia’s parliament for over 30 years before attaining his new role.   In 1939, he became Australia’s youngest parliamentary minister. For the majority of his career, he served under Prime Minister Robert Menzies. A foil to his dour predecessor, Australian National University professor of politics John Warhurst called Holt “a breath of fresh air.” Holt was more progressive than Menzies in his politics and popular with the people.   He was 59 when he became PM, and today is considered the first “modern” leader. Though he ended up serving in office for just under two years, he made several accomplishments during that time. During his tenure, Australia switched its currency to dollars and cents instead of its outdated pounds and pence system.   Holt made diplomatic achievements, ending the “White Australia” policy. This governmental act, which had been instituted in 1901, restricted non-white immigration to the Australian continent and took steps to deport multitudes of immigrants who were already in the country and considered “undesirable.” This blatantly racist policy was actively enforced until Holt’s term began.   His administration introduced new laws that subjected all potential immigrants to the same rules and restrictions, regardless of country of origin. In May of 1967, Holt’s administration oversaw a public vote that removed a clause in the Constitution that decreed that Aboriginal people were not counted in the census. Further working toward equality, Holt’s tenure saw the first Australian woman to lead a governmental department when Annabelle Rankin became Minister for Housing.   Holt, second from left in back row, as part of a Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders delegation canvassing parliament in April 1967. Source: National Museum Australia   Communism during this time was considered a threat to the democratic way of life in Australia, as it was in many areas of the world. The PM was especially friendly with US President Lyndon B Johnson, dating back to 1942 when the pair met. Holt declared his support for the United States as they entered the conflict in Vietnam. Thousands of Australian troops were sent to Vietnam to support US efforts, sometimes against loud public opposition.   He also made efforts to build and repair relationships between Australia and its neighbors, particularly in Southeast Asia. Holt made several trips to Asia, meeting with government leaders and military personnel. He established an Australian embassy in Taiwan, a possible affront to the communist government of mainland China.   Holt and his wife Zara welcomed many government officials to their home in between trips abroad, including during the first official visit to Australia by a US president. Holt also made efforts in science and technology, overseeing the opening of the Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station, which was imperative in NASA’s Apollo missions, and commissioning a US global communications station in Western Australia. November 19, 1967 saw the first launch of an Australian satellite.   A Perfect Day for a Swim Harold Edward Holt by William Edwin Pidgeon, 1970. Source: Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House Art Collection Australia   Despite Holt’s impressive record in his short term as prime minister, those endeavors are overlooked in the face of his reputation as the third Australian PM to die in office.   In December 1967, Holt flew to the beach for a quiet weekend. He and his family owned a home at Cheviot Beach, Portsea, on the coast of Victoria. Holt was known as an enthusiastic and sporty fellow who enjoyed swimming, diving, spearfishing, and tennis, among other pursuits.   Though he had recently had shoulder surgery, Holt could not resist the excellent weather and decided to take a swim before lunch on Sunday, December 17, 1967. He was not the only person enjoying Cheviot Beach that day, and several eyewitnesses reported seeing and speaking to the PM.   Despite the nice weather that day, the tide was recorded to be unusually high, with strong currents present. Despite the water conditions, Holt seemed to be enjoying his swim and headed further and further from the beach. One eyewitness reported that the water around Holt became suddenly turbulent, almost as if it was boiling. The PM suddenly disappeared under the surface, swallowed by the ocean. This was the last time anyone saw Harold Holt.   The United States Navy named a ship for Holt, the USS Harold E. Holt, pictured here off the coast of San Diego. Source: National Archives US   The search for the missing prime minister began immediately and was widespread. At times, over 300 people were actively on the hunt for any sign of Holt. No sign of the man was located, no body, no personal effects besides those he had intentionally left on the beach. It was almost immediately suspected that Holt drowned, and if so, he would not be the first person to drown from the Cheviot coastline without any recovered remains.   Without any clues, Holt was officially presumed dead on December 19, and a memorial service was held for him on December 22. This service would be listed as the largest gathering of world leaders in Australian history. Additional services were held at different locations worldwide, including in Washington DC. The search, which included everyone from the police to the military to public volunteers, was officially called off on January 5, 1968.   A Stunned Nation and a Government in Turmoil A bust of John Gorton by Victor Greenhalgh, 1970. Source: National Portrait Gallery Australia   Holt’s sudden disappearance left the national government of Australia in upheaval. John McEwen was sworn in as Prime Minister on December 19 to replace Holt. His role was temporary until Holt’s Liberal Party officially appointed a new leader, and John Gorton replaced him on January 10, 1968.   Gorton lasted only three years before leaving the job on his own accord after a vote of confidence came back as tied. Australia’s leadership would remain tumultuous for the next several years, with a series of ineffective leaders following Gorton. The Liberal Party never regained momentum after Holt’s disappearance, allowing the Labor Party to return to the Australian government after a 23-year absence.   The turmoil culminated in a Constitutional crisis in 1974 before the government was back on a smooth course. In perhaps a macabre homage to their lost prime minister, Australians named a swimming center after Holt in 1969. The facility, originally built in 1927, underwent a series of renovations and was reopened not long after Holt’s death.   At the time, Prime Minister Gorton relayed that Holt would have been proud of the facility and the fact that his name was associated with it. He spoke in regard to the re-opening, stating that Holt would have appreciated that his name was associated with a “magnificent complex” that emphasized fitness and the opportunity for children to learn to swim.   Conspiracies Holt drawn in pencil by Louis Kahan. Source: National Archives Australia   The official ruling from a joint report by Commonwealth and Victoria police, issued in January after the conclusion of the search, determined that there was no evidence that Holt’s disappearance and assumed death was “anything other than accidental.” Regardless of this statement, the public in Australia and worldwide couldn’t help but postulate alternate theories regarding the disappearance of the PM.   Conspiracies soon abounded as people worldwide began wondering how a highly visible political figure could simply evaporate into thin air. Many of these conspiracy theories were related to the ongoing Cold War; others were more elaborate. Some postulated that Holt was kidnapped by an underwater entity, such as a submarine, and removed to another location to be held and questioned by a foreign government.   A 1983 book by Anthony Grey suggested that the prime minister was not loyal to Australia and his friends in America but was instead a Chinese spy. As a result of this affiliation, the author theorized that Chinese scuba divers whisked Holt away to a safe location.   Lyndon Johnson, at the microphone, and Holt at the Canberra Airport in 1966 in a photo by David Moore. Source: National Portrait Gallery Australia   Unrelated to his political actions, it was suggested that Holt simply wished to start over amid frustrations in his marriage or job, faking his own death and running away, perhaps with a mistress. The idea arose that perhaps the PM committed suicide. So many of these ideas proliferated that in 1985, a documentary was released by Ten Network that examined the possibilities. Titled The Harold Holt Mystery, the film still resides in the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.   Despite the number of theories, there is little evidence supporting any of them in particular. Experts and law enforcement officials related to the case attribute the popularity of conspiracy theories to the multitude of unknowns still surrounding the case. People want answers and are not satisfied with the lack of resolution offered by the investigation. In addition, the fact that Holt was a famous person makes it hard for the public to accept that he could get into an accident just like anyone else. Still, they stand by the official ruling that the case was nothing but an accidental drowning.   Holt, left, meets with President John F. Kennedy, center, and Australian ambassador Sir Howard Beale, in 1963. At the time, Holt was the Minister of the Treasury for Australia. Source: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum   Regardless of what happened to Harold Holt, his cryptic disappearance largely overshadowed his time as Australia’s Prime Minister. Over 50 years after he vanished, Holt still looms mysteriously in the minds of Australians and the world.

  Shocking the nation on January 15, 1947, a body was discovered in a Los Angeles neighborhood. Later, it was revealed to be that of 22-year-old Elizabeth Short, and she had been brutally murdered. Short’s case instantly captivated and frightened not only locals but also the imaginations of the nation. The mystique of this beautiful young woman compounded the horror of the scene and the frustration faced by law enforcement as they hit dead end after dead end in the investigation. Still unsolved, Short’s gruesome murder is one that the world is not soon to forget. Here are eleven facts about the Black Dahlia case.   1. The Name Came From a Popular Movie Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake starred in The Blue Dahlia in 1946. Source: Paramount Pictures   Even though Short had been identified by law enforcement, the nickname “Black Dahlia” soon became the chief way she and the case were referred to in the press. A 1946 crime film starring Alan Ladd, called The Blue Dahlia, was popular, and coupled with the black clothing Short was rumored to favor, the name emerged.   2. The Woman Who Found the Body Thought It Was a Mannequin Unfortunately, the woman who discovered the body was not looking at a mannequin as she suspected. Source: Markus Spiske via Pexels   Betty Bersinger was taking her three-year-old daughter for a morning walk when she became the person who discovered the Black Dahlia. When she came upon a white figure lying in the grass, Bersinger said she believed that the way the body was posed and the paleness of the flesh made her think it was a mannequin. The form rested just a few feet off the sidewalk in a vacant lot. However, upon closer inspection, Bersinger was shocked to discover that the body was neatly bisected and organs were present—this was no mannequin. She quickly ran away from the scene to contact the authorities.   3. Despite The Brutality of the Scene, No Blood Was Found Elizabeth Short received knife mutilation to her face, causing a similar depiction to that of the Joker’s “Glasgow Smile.” Source: DC Comics & Warner Brothers Entertainment   Short’s body was cut in half, and organs had been removed from and left with the body. She had several areas of mutilation on her face and body, including a “Glasgow Smile” carved onto her cheeks. The body had ligature marks at the wrists, ankles, and neck, and the autopsy revealed that she had likely been dead for 10-12 hours when discovered. The cause of death was determined to be cerebral hemorrhage and shock. The hemorrhage was attributed to heavy blows to her face. Despite this, no blood was found at the scene that Bersinger discovered. This indicated to authorities that the murder and abuse had likely occurred elsewhere and that the body had been transported and intentionally dumped.   4. Hoping to Cover Their Tracks, The Killer Used Gasoline The cover of the Los Angeles Examiner on January 28, 1947 shows letters received by the media in relation to the case. Source: Los Angeles Examiner   Though there was no denying the damage that had been inflicted on Short’s body, her murderer made efforts to ensure that there was no evidence of their involvement in the crime. The body was found to have been wiped with gasoline in an effort to remove fingerprints. The case evolved further when, just over a week after the body was discovered, an envelope was mailed and addressed to the local media. It included a note stating, “Here is Dahlia’s belongings,” along with Short’s birth certificate, address book, and business cards. The items, like the body, had been wiped with gasoline in an effort to remove trace evidence. No significant leads erupted from the recovery of Short’s possessions, but police officers began contacting men from the address book to remove them from suspicion. Seventy-five interviews were conducted, but no one was arrested.   5. Short Was Identified via a Fingerprint Database A police bulletin asks the public for information on Short’s death. Source: Los Angeles Police Department   Short’s body was identified only 56 minutes after her fingerprints were taken, remarkable in an age before the internet. Her fingerprints appeared in two databases. The first was as a result of a job application at Army Camp Cooke, the second from a 1943 arrest in which she was nabbed for underage drinking at nineteen. Short’s mug shot was provided to the press and added fuel to the fire of rumors that began spreading about the young woman. Short was later officially identified by her mother, Phoebe, at the morgue.   6. Short’s Mother Learned of Her Daughter’s Death in a Cruel Way Reporters told Short’s mother she’d won a beauty contest. Source: Museum of New South Wales   While Elizabeth Short lived and worked in California, her mother remained in her hometown in Massachusetts. Before law enforcement had a chance to contact her mother Phoebe or any of Elizabeth’s four sisters, the press beat them to it.   A reporter from the Los Angeles Examiner called Phoebe on the telephone and began prying her for information about Elizabeth’s life. The reporter claimed that Phoebe’s daughter had won a beauty contest and they were looking for details to publicize about the winner. After Phoebe had shared some details, the reporter cruelly revealed his true reason for calling: her daughter had been brutally murdered.   The paper then flew Phoebe to California to identify her daughter’s body but kept her guarded and hidden to the best of their ability to prevent other members of the media from gaining access. Elizabeth’s death and the related investigation were front-page news around the country for several weeks.   7. Baseless Rumors Spread About the Victim, Titillating Media Audiences Her famous nickname and widespread rumors painted Elizabeth Short in an often unflattering light. Source: ri1yad via Pixabay   Due to a news media hungry for a salacious story and her shocking demise, Elizabeth Short soon gained a tragic reputation. There were rumors that she was a prostitute, “man-crazy,” and a party girl. However, despite her arrest as a teenager, Short did not drink, smoke, or swear. She was known to frequent social hotspots with friends, but there is no evidence of a life of sexual deviance.   Short had come to California, as many young women did, hoping to become a successful actress. However, she had yet to realize her dreams, so she worked at Camp Cooke and as a waitress. Originally from Medford, Massachusetts, another reason she had traveled to California was with hopes of reconciling with her father, who had left her family when she was young.   Unfortunately, they were unable to repair their relationship, and Short struck out on her own. She was briefly engaged to Major Matthew Gordon, but he was killed in 1945 as World War II was winding down. Despite her sensationalized image, Elizabeth Short was a fairly typical woman of her era, with hopes and ambitions.   8. Hundreds of Officers & False Confessions Were Involved in the Case Short’s mug shot from her underage drinking arrest, along with her fingerprints. Source: FBI   The Black Dahlia case may be one of the country’s most famous cold cases, but it wasn’t for lack of effort by law enforcement. Over 750 investigators from varying agencies were involved in the case but to no avail. Hundreds of interviews were conducted, and a $10,000 reward was offered for information about the case. Still, no major progress was made in the case, with the glaring lack of physical evidence a major contributor. Further muddling the investigation was the fact that more than 60 people came to the police and falsely confessed that they had committed the crime.   9. Medical Students Became Murder Suspects The police thought someone with medical training must be involved. Source: Gustavo Fring via Pexels   Elizabeth Short’s body was neatly bisected before it was disposed of by the killer. As a result, law enforcement began to suspect that the killer may have had medical training. The cuts on Short’s body were extremely precise, leading investigators to believe that the offender had experience in the healthcare field. The attention turned to possible suspects with medical backgrounds, and the investigators served a warrant at the University of Southern California medical school. However, this search turned up nothing of merit, and the lead was abandoned.   10. Two Different Authors Think Their Father Was the Killer This photo of a black-haired woman was found by Steve Hodel in his father’s possessions. Source: Steve Hodel   Despite the police’s lack of progress, armchair detectives were and continue to be hard at work on the case. In fact, two different people have postulated that their own fathers were the killer.   Former LAPD detective Steve Hodel believes his father, Doctor George Hodel, was involved. Dr. Hodel was known to have sadistic proclivities, including a dark basement in his home where he was known to engage in questionable activities and abuse his children.   Hodel was even recorded on tape saying, “Supposin’ I did kill the Black Dahlia. They can’t prove it now,” but was never treated as a suspect. While the younger Hodel’s claims are somewhat controversial, the case for Dr. Hodel’s involvement has been called “compelling.”   In 1995, Janice Knowlton wrote a book titled Daddy Was the Black Dahlia Killer. She claims that at age 10, she witnessed her father beat Short to death with a hammer and that she accompanied him to dispose of the body. However, her account has been discredited by family members and reporters over the years.   11. Is Black Dahlia Linked to Another Case? Famed investigator Eliot Ness was troubled by his inability to solve the Cleveland Torso murders. Source: Cleveland Police Museum   Some people suspect that the Black Dahlia murder may be connected to other murders that took place in the US around the same time. On February 10th, 1947, a young woman named Jeanne French was also murdered in Los Angeles. Known as the “Lipstick Murder,” French’s death was almost instantly tied to Short’s death in the media. Some even speculated that George Hodel was responsible. French’s murder was never solved, either.   Others speculate that the death of the Black Dahlia was tied to murders that had taken place in Cleveland, Ohio prior to Short’s murder, from 1935-1938. These 13 murders included mutilations and dismemberment that resembled the surgical precision used in Short’s case. The bodies in both cases were arranged in similar positions. A letter was received by Cleveland investigators in which the writer claimed to be the Torso killer and said he had moved to California and was performing “medical experiments.” No further progress was made, and the Torso Murders also remain unsolved.

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