Root of Evil

**Root of Evil: *The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia*** is a companion podcast to TNT Suspense Collection's “I Am the Night”. It dives into the story of George Hodel, a primary suspect in Elizabeth Short’s 1947 unsolved murder — and it’s told by his great-granddaughters.

Produced in partnership with Cadence13, will premiere the first of eight episodes on February 13th, 2019.

## Synopsis

*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.*

## Production

On December 17, 2018, it was revealed that the true events that inspired TNT drama *I Am the Night* will be turned into a companion podcast. The cable network is partnering with Cadence13 to release eight-part podcast, titled *Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia* that will feature interviews with the real people impacted by the Black Dahlia murder. *Root of Evil* debuts February 13, 2019, on Apple Podcasts and other podcasting platforms.

The real-life daughters of Fauna Hodel, Yvette Gentile and Rasha Pecoraro, host *Root of Evil*, telling their family history through interviews with their family members. The podcast was executive produced by Cadence13's Zak Levitt. "Root of Evil will satisfy as a stand-alone piece of suspenseful entertainment and, for those who both watch and listen, also provide a whole new level of real-life, nail-biting mystery," said TNT chief marketing officer Michael Engleman.

Added Levitt, "this is a story more than 70 years in the making. The Black Dahlia has generated incredible interest and attention through the years, but nothing has gotten to the heart of the incredibly painful, and ultimately triumphant story of the family that has had to carry the Hodel name — a name synonymous with the most brutal unsolved murder in American history. Through fresh interviews with the Hodel family, and a trove of never-before-heard archival audio, we hope Root of Evil will be the most three-dimensional Black Dahlia story yet."

## References

1. ↑ *iTunes, Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia.*
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 *iTunes Podcast, Root of Evil - Episode Synopses.*
3. ↑  *Hollywood Reporter, TNT to Launch 'I Am the Night' Companion Podcast*