Case File #025: The Vanishing of Elisa Lam

Status: Solved? – Unresolved Questions
Date Filed: February 1, 2013
Last Reviewed: June 2, 2025
Location: Cecil Hotel, Downtown Los Angeles, USA
Subject: Elisa Lam
Age: 21
Filed Under: Unexplained Death – Mental Health – Urban Legends
Access Level: Public Archive – High Media Impact

Incident Summary

On February 19, 2013, the body of Canadian college student Elisa Lam was found in a water tank on the roof of the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles. The discovery was made after hotel guests complained of low water pressure and an unusual taste in the tap water. Lam had been missing for over two weeks. Her last known appearance was on January 31, when she was captured acting erratically in the hotel’s elevator. The surveillance footage, released by the LAPD, showed her pressing multiple buttons, stepping in and out of the elevator, and appearing to talk to someone who wasn’t visible.

The unsettling video went viral and sparked a global wave of theories, ranging from mental health episodes to supernatural involvement and foul play. The bizarre circumstances, the hotel's dark history, and the inexplicable behavior in the footage turned Elisa’s case into an internet obsession.

Timeline

• January 26, 2013: Elisa Lam checks into the Cecil Hotel, located near Skid Row, Los Angeles.
• January 31, 2013: Last seen alive. Security footage from the hotel elevator captures Elisa displaying unusual behavior.
• February 1, 2013: Elisa is reported missing by her family.
• February 19, 2013: Her body is found in one of four large rooftop water tanks.
• February 21, 2013: Coroner’s report rules the death as accidental drowning, with bipolar disorder listed as a contributing factor.

The Elevator Footage

The elevator video was released by the LAPD on February 13, 2013, in hopes of gathering public leads. The footage, approximately four minutes long, shows Lam entering the elevator wearing a red hoodie and black shorts. She presses multiple floor buttons, appears disoriented, hides in the corner, looks out nervously, and makes erratic hand gestures. Throughout the video, the elevator doors remain inexplicably open.

This footage became the centerpiece of public speculation. Online forums dissected every frame, claiming signs of paranormal activity, electronic manipulation, or the presence of an unseen assailant.

Discovery of the Body

Maintenance worker Santiago Lopez found Lam’s body after responding to guest complaints about water issues. He had to climb a ladder to reach the top of the tank, which was sealed by a heavy lid. Inside, he found Elisa’s naked body floating face up. Her clothes and personal belongings were also in the tank.

The water tank was located in a restricted rooftop area accessible only by a locked door or fire escape. This detail fueled suspicions: how did she get inside without triggering the alarm?

Autopsy Report and Findings

The Los Angeles County Coroner ruled the death as “accidental drowning.” No evidence of physical trauma, sexual assault, or suicide was found. Toxicology tests revealed trace amounts of her prescribed medications, such as Wellbutrin, Lamotrigine, and Quetiapine, but no illicit drugs or alcohol.

Critics of the official report questioned whether her bipolar disorder alone could explain her behavior and how she gained access to the tank. Some experts suggested a possible manic or psychotic episode that led her to believe she was in danger or being chased.

Mental Health Background

Elisa Lam had a known history of bipolar disorder and depression, which she openly discussed on her blog “Ether Fields.” Posts included intimate reflections on her mental health struggles, her medication regimen, and feelings of isolation. Some of her final entries hinted at renewed optimism during her West Coast trip.

Medical records indicated that she had been previously hospitalized for her condition and had changed medications shortly before her disappearance. However, the toxicology report suggested she may not have taken all of her medications consistently during her stay in Los Angeles.

The Hotel's Dark Legacy

The Cecil Hotel itself has a long-standing reputation for violence, crime, and death. Nicknamed "The Suicide Hotel," it has been linked to numerous suicides, murders, and even serial killers such as Richard Ramirez (“The Night Stalker”), who lived there in 1985.

Some theorists suggested that the hotel's dark energy influenced Lam's death or that she became a victim of forces beyond understanding. Others pointed to possible human trafficking or ritualistic crimes, though no evidence has ever confirmed such claims.

Internet Obsession and Legacy

The case of Elisa Lam became one of the most heavily speculated events in internet history. Reddit threads, YouTube analyses, and blogs explored everything from demonic possession to government conspiracy. In 2021, Netflix released a documentary titled Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel, reigniting global interest.

Critics of the documentary argued that it exploited mental illness for entertainment, while others praised it for finally putting some theories to rest. The story remains a cultural touchstone in the true crime and paranormal communities.

Unresolved Questions

• Why did the elevator behave abnormally?
• How did Elisa access the roof without tripping security?
• Why was she naked in the tank?
• Did she enter voluntarily or was she placed there?

Though the official explanation is accidental death due to a mental health crisis, the peculiar details continue to haunt both investigators and the public. For many, the case of Elisa Lam exists in a space between tragedy and mystery.

References

All sources used in this case are listed in the References Archive. Each link corresponds to verified data, public records, or expert documentation.