He was the author whose mother was murdered when he was a child and it inspired him to start writing grisly murder mystery novels.

I thought it was a fascinating case, and I hadn't seen anything discussed on it on here.

More, though I was interested in crime novels I hadn't heard of this guy except from the UM broadcast. I remember him saying he wanted to still find his mom's killer.

Was there ever an update on this and did he have any luck finding any info on her killer? And has anyone ever read any of his novels? Or does anyone else remember this segment and wish to discuss it?

I think it came out in the mid 90's or so if I'm not mistaken.

Looks like it's still unsolved. There is a nice wikipedia article about him.
His last name is spelled Ellroy, btw:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Ellroy

OMG James Ellroy is very famous and had a special on cable talking about his mothers murder and how he thinks its connected to the Black Dahlia. He's been all over the media over the years and has had several books made into movies. Its very interesting.

I have read My Dark Places, the book about Ellroy's mother's murder. I wrote about it here (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2726843&postcount=6). I would recommend it if you are interested in the case. It seems like it was really a good faith effort to find the killer, but unfortunately, all the leads they had were way too cold. His personal story is very sad and disturbing.

Ellroy just published another memoir that supposed to be a follow-up to MDP called The Hilliker Curse (Hilliker was his mother's maiden name), but focuses more on his relationships with women. I'm less excited about reading this one, but would be interested to read others' opinions on it.

I do hope that he finds his mom's killer before he dies, seems unlikely but not impossible. from all accounts I've heard the evidence still exists and we all know what DNA technology is capable of these days.

I think chances are the man who killed her is dead. Thats why I think its unlikely it will be solved.

I actually had the chance to meet James Ellroy in 2004, and to get an autographed copy of the Black Dahlia. He came to do a reading at a bookstore in my hometown, and it was really exciting and dramatic! I too found the unsolved murder of Jean Ellroy to be a very fascinating case and I too hope that her killer (the "swarthy man") can be found and brought to justice before he passes away.
On that note, I also remember reading a book two years ago about the Black Dahlia murder. I forget the title (it was a library book). However, the author provided some very compelling theories. He believed that not only was his father (a doctor with some serious mental/emotional issues) the killer of Elizabeth Short, but he also had a strong hunch (and i even believe some proof) that his father also killed Jean Ellroy a dozen years later. It's been awhile since I've read this book but I do wonder how true these theories can be.

i read that book as well years ago. It totally creeped me out with the photos!!

I thought I was the only one who remembered the dishwater blonde and the swarthy man. I doubt they will ever solve that one.

I thought I was the only one who remembered the dishwater blonde and the swarthy man. I doubt they will ever solve that one.

Unfortunately I agree with you. I think the "swarthy man" is most likely dead by now.