As far as I know, there is nothing to suggest that KD had any involvement in the murder of the Black Dahlia (Elizabeth Short). He was at one time, suspected of at least having knowledge of the disappearance of bit player Jean Spangler, who went missing in 1949 and has never been found. She was an extra on one of his films. In his first autobiography (published in 1988) he gave a very different version of events than what the police stated at the time. First, he claimed that Spangler's body was found near the Mexican border (he had joked about her disappearance prior to this) and this is what prompted him to speak to the police. Spangler has never been found, dead or alive. Some of her friends stated that Spangler had told them that she was three months pregnant just prior to her disappearance (and yes her purse, found in Griffith Park, did have a note addressed to a Kirk and that she was going to see a Dr. Scott). It's worth noting that KD's retelling of events reeks of misogyny, and this is notable considering that he claims to have barely known her, yet he went out of his way to smear Spangler. Hmm.
I think the reason why you got the two cases confused is that it was speculated that there was a possible link between the murder of Elizabeth Short and the disappearance of Jean Spangler (there was even a newspaper headline about Spangler that read, "Authorities Fear New Dahlia Death").
I don't know if Kirk Douglas had anything to do with Jean Spangler's disappearance or not, or if he knew more than he let on, but his behavior is suspect.
There is no doubt in my mind that Douglas was a sexual predator. In this same autobiography (The Ragman's Son) he admitted to taking out his anger out on women (including during sex) and preying on young girls. The sexual assault he committed on a teenage Natalie Wood has been confirmed by her sister and several of her friends.
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