Z121) The Mysterious Death of Elisa Lam

 The Mysterious Death of Elisa Lam

On the morning of February 19, 2013, in the heart of downtown Los Angeles at the Cecil Hotel, a hotel worker named Santiago Lopez was inspecting the rooftop water tanks. Prompted by guest complaints about low water pressure, discolored water, and an unusual taste. Upon opening the lid of one of the four 1,000-gallon water tanks stationed on the roof, Santiago found a partially decaying woman floating face up in the water, her clothing floating beside her. This discovery would end the 19-day search for Elisa Lam, but would only leave this story shrouded in more mystery.

Background

Elisa came to Los Angeles to explore and enjoy the city on her own. She used Amtrak and buses to travel around, making stops like the San Diego Zoo. Along her journey, she shared her experiences and thoughts on her blog, which she started in mid-2010, named Ether Fields on Blogspot. On her blog, she posted images of fashionable models and shared personal stories, including her ongoing battle with mental health challenges. In a blog post from January 2012, she candidly expressed her frustration with a “relapse” during that school term, which forced her to drop several classes, leaving her with a profound sense of aimlessness. Her post bore the title “You’re always haunted by the idea you’re wasting your life,” borrowed from a quote by novelist Chuck Palahniuk, which she used as an epigraph for her blog. Elisa worried about how her academic transcript, marked with numerous withdrawals, might affect her ability to pursue further studies and attend graduate school. A little over two years into her blogging journey, she announced that she was moving on from her Blogspot blog to a new one on Tumblr called “Nouvelle-Nouveau.” This fresh blog primarily featured fashion photographs, quotes, and a few of her own written posts, all with the same Palahniuk quotation as its epigraph.

Elisa’s Mental Health

Elisa had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression. She had been prescribed several medications for her mental health issues, including Wellbutrin, lamotrigine, quetiapine, Dexedrine Spansule, and venlafaxine. According to her family, who reportedly kept her mental illness private, Elisa had no history of suicidal ideations or attempts, although one report claimed she had previously gone missing for a brief period. Elisa also had a history of not consistently taking her prescribed bipolar medications, which, on several occasions, led to hallucinations that drove her to seek refuge under her bed. She was hospitalized at least once for one of these episodes.

The place Lam was staying, the Cecil Hotel, was built in the 1920s by hoteliers William Banks Hanner and Charles L. Dix. It was intended to serve as a middle-class hotel during a period of significant urban development in Los Angeles. This establishment aimed to cater to both business travelers and tourists. However, despite its initial purpose, the Cecil Hotel gained notoriety over the years for being associated with numerous incidents of violence, suicides, and unsettling occurrences. Its location near Skid Row, an area with a high concentration of homelessness and poverty, further added to its troubled image. It was also the residence of serial killer Richard Ramirez, known as “the Night Stalker,” in the 1930s and saw a series of suicides in the 1960s. In the 1980s, a woman was found raped and murdered in her room. And now, the death of Elisa Lam can be added to the list to the list of tragedies.

The Disappearance

The date was January 31, 2013, Elisa Lam’s parents in British Columbia had not received word from their daughter. Up until that day, she had been in daily contact with them, providing reassurance as she traveled. This day was different; it was the day Elisa was scheduled to check out of the Cecil Hotel and continue her journey to Santa Cruz. But her parents did not receive the usual call or message from her. Worried and unable to reach her, they took immediate action. They contacted the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to report her as missing, and they flew to Los Angeles to aid in the search for their daughter.

Police Investigation

In response to the report of Elisa Lam’s disappearance, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) initiated a thorough search and investigation. Their efforts were aimed at locating the missing young woman and understanding the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

The LAPD conducted an extensive search of the Cecil Hotel, where Elisa had last been seen. This search included a meticulous examination of her hotel room. While the available information does not provide specific details about what, if anything, they found in her room during this initial search.

The police also utilized search dogs to sweep through the building, including the rooftop, to locate any trace of Elisa. However, despite these efforts, the search dogs did not detect her scent.

The police were constrained by legal limitations at this stage of the investigation. “But we didn’t search every room,” Sgt. Rudy Lopez said later, “We could only do that if we had probable cause” This limitation hindered their ability to comprehensively search the premises.

As the days passed with no sign of Elisa, the LAPD recognized the need for additional assistance. On February 6, a week after her last known sighting, they decided to intensify their efforts. To draw more attention to her disappearance and reach a wider audience, they began posting flyers featuring Elisa’s image in the neighborhood and online. This action brought the case to the public’s attention through the media, generating interest and concern for her well-being.

Elevator Footage

On February 13, almost 2 weeks after Elisa Lam’s disappearance, the LAPD released elevator surveillance footage from the Cecil Hotel, recorded on January 31. This video garnered significant attention, amassing 3 million views and 40,000 comments on Youku, a Chinese video-sharing site, within its first 10 days of release.

In the roughly two-and-a-half minutes of footage, Elisa was alone and displayed unusual behavior. She pressed all elevator buttons, looked anxiously into the hallway, and briefly stepped out of the elevator, leaving the doors open. After her return, when the doors failed to close, she eventually left.

This video sparked global intrigue. Led to multiple theories, some believed she was trying to escape from a pursuer, while others considered the influence of substances, though no drugs were found in her system. Given Elisa’s bipolar disorder, some theorized she might have experienced a psychotic episode.

Questions arose about the video’s authenticity due to alterations, including an obscured timestamp, possibly slowed-down segments, and potential missing footage. This fueled speculation about protecting someone’s identity.

Discovery of the Body

On February 19, 2013, as the search for Elisa Lam continued, guests at the Cecil Hotel began complaining about issues with the water supply. Among these complaints were reports of low water pressure, water with an unusual taste, and even discoloration.

Two days later, on February 21, Santiago Lopez, a maintenance worker at the Cecil Hotel, was tasked with inspecting the rooftop water tanks. These 1,000-gallon reservoirs supplied water to guest rooms, the kitchen, and a coffee shop within the hotel. Upon opening one of the tanks, he made a grim discovery. Elisa Lam’s lifeless body was found floating face-up in the water. Her clothing, similar to what she had worn in the elevator surveillance video, was found floating nearby, coated with a sand-like substance. Her wristwatch and room key were also located in the tank.

Elisa’s death was initially ruled as an accidental drowning, with her bipolar disorder noted as a contributing factor. However, a more detailed coroner’s report released in June revealed further disturbing details about the condition in which her body was discovered.

What Do You Think of Our Video?

Let Me Know in the Comment Section Below

Before You Go Please Hit the Like Button and Subscribe to My Channel.

Thanks for Watching.