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

TNT / Cadence13
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.

Season 1

  1. Saved By The Ghetto

    EPISODE 1

    Saved By The Ghetto

    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    46 min
  2. A Skilled Surgeon

    EPISODE 2

    A Skilled Surgeon

    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    40 min
  3. George's Gift

    EPISODE 3

    George's Gift

    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    43 min
  4. The Minotaur

    EPISODE 4

    The Minotaur

    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    47 min
  5. Traumatic Reenactment

    EPISODE 5

    Traumatic Reenactment

    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    58 min
  6. Supposin' I Did Kill The Black Dahlia

    EPISODE 6

    Supposin' I Did Kill The Black Dahlia

    Steve Hodel uncovers a pile of evidence connecting his father, George Hodel, to the Black Dahlia murder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 9m
  7. The Troubling Questions

    EPISODE 7

    The Troubling Questions

    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    42 min
  8. You Only Have One Family

    EPISODE 8

    You Only Have One Family

    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    47 min

  9. EPISODE 9 BONUS

    Introducing: Fear Thy Neighbor

    Check out Fear Thy Neighbor, from ID. Listen to Season 2 Episode 1, Intimidation Tactics here, and follow Fear Thy Neighbor wherever you get your podcasts. What would you do if the person you feared most… was living right next door? On Fear Thy Neighbor, dive deep into stranger than fiction stories about neighbors gone wrong. We’ll hear these true stories as told by the victims, their families and their neighbors... featuring real 911 calls and surveillance archives. Tune in to hear what happens when simple issues turns into living nightmares with horrific and often fatal consequences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    35 min
  10. Introducing Root of Evil

    SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Introducing Root of Evil

    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 TNT's 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

    BONUS

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

    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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    6 min

Trailer

Hosts & Guests

4.6
out of 5
18,149 Ratings

About

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.

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