Michael Connelly's Podcast Links Marvin Margolis to Both Zodiac and Black Dahlia Murders
Michael Connelly's upcoming podcast asserts that Marvin Margolis, a long-time Black Dahlia suspect, is also the Zodiac killer, sparking fresh debate.
A West Virginia investigator's hypothesis that the Zodiac killer and the Black Dahlia murderer are the same person has been amplified by author Michael Connelly, whose forthcoming podcast season presents former WWII medic Marvin Margolis as the common perpetrator. Connelly cites Margolis's wartime service, a post-mortem drawing signed “Marty Merrill ‘92,” and a 1947 Compton motel advertisement that matches a newspaper report of a man seeking a bathtub room.
Although Margolis was previously considered a possible suspect, the new narrative emphasizes his brief cohabitation with Elizabeth Short and alleged surgical skill. However, documentary producers claim blood evidence excludes him, and other investigators remain unconvinced. The claim has polarized true-crime enthusiasts, with Connelly insisting the case is "completely convincing" despite criticism that he may be exploiting the story for profit.
Why it matters
The renewed claim could reshape public understanding of two infamous unsolved murders.
In this story
