THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF ELISA LAM & THE HAUNTING CECIL HOTEL
In the premiere episode of Darkly Speaking, we’re diving into the mysterious death of Elisa Lam — a case that captivated the internet and continues to raise questions more than a decade later.
In 2013, 21-year-old Elisa checked into the Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles — a building with a long, disturbing history of violence, tragedy, and unexplained events. But shortly after arriving, she vanished.
What followed was a chilling sequence of events: unsettling elevator footage that showed Elisa acting strangely, a rooftop water tank, and a discovery that sparked worldwide speculation.
Her death was ruled accidental. But between the contradictions in the timeline, the bizarre behavior caught on tape, and the hotel’s dark reputation — many believe there’s more to the story.
Was it a mental health crisis? A tragic coincidence? Or did something far stranger unfold within the walls of the Cecil Hotel?
We’re breaking down the timeline, the theories, and the disturbing details that still don’t sit right.
Hosted by 🎙️: Alex Kern
TW: This episode includes discussion of mental illness, death, and potentially distressing circumstances.
Listener discretion is advised
Resources:
National Resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): https://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Support Groups:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org/
Mental Health America: https://www.mhanational.org/
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): https://www.dbsalliance.org/
Local Resources:
County Mental Health Department:
Contact your local county government for information on mental health services.
Community Health Centers:
These centers often provide mental health services, including counseling and medication management.
Hospitals:
Many hospitals have mental health units or programs that offer inpatient and outpatient care.
Other Resources:
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs):
Many employers offer EAPs that provide confidential mental health support and resources.
Health Insurance:
Check with your health insurance provider to see what mental health coverage is available.
Veterans Affairs (VA):
If you are a veteran, the VA offers a wide range of mental health services.
Additional Tips:
Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or healthcare professional for support.
Consider seeking professional help from a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist.
Take care of your physical health by eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep.
Engage in activities that bring you joy and reduce stress.
Mental Health Resources - CDC
Aug 8, 2024 — Mental and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Visit findtreatment.gov – a confidential and anonymous resource for persons...
CDC
Help for Mental Illnesses - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Primary care provider: A primary care provider can perform an initial mental health screening and refer you to a mental health pro...
National Institute of Mental Health
NAMI | National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. We are the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization.
This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, please consult a professional.
Episode Source Material
Official Reports and Investigations
Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. Elisa Lam Autopsy Report. Los Angeles County, 2013. Accessed here.
LAPD Media Relations. Investigation into Elisa Lam’s Death. Los Angeles Police Department, 2013. Accessed here.
Books
Kaplan, David. Dark Side of the City: The History of Los Angeles’ Cecil Hotel. Los Angeles History Press, 2015.
Schwarz, Ted. Haunted L.A.: Unsolved Mysteries and Legends of the City of Angels. Ghost Light Publishing, 2018.
Articles
BBC News. "Elisa Lam: What Really Happened in the Cecil Hotel?" BBC News, February 10, 2021. https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-55994935
Discovery. "Is LA’s Cecil Hotel Haunted? The Dark History That Fuels the Theory." Discovery, Accessed 2024. https://www.discovery.com/exploration/Cecil-Hotel-LA-Haunted-Reasons
Ebiri, Bilge. "The Cecil Hotel and Its Dark, Tragic History." Vanity Fair, March 2021. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/cecil-hotel-los-angeles-for-sale
Fraga, Kaleena. "Elisa Lam: The Real Story of Her Death in the Cecil Hotel." All That’s Interesting, August 9, 2023. https://allthatsinteresting.com/elisa-lam-death
International Business Times. "Canadian Woman Elisa Lam Found Dead in Water Tank at Cecil Hotel." International Business Times (IBTimes), February 21, 2013. https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/canadian-woman-elisa-lam-death-cecil-hotel-439535
NBC Los Angeles. "Police Activity Focuses on Hotel Where Missing Woman Elisa Lam Stayed." NBC Los Angeles, February 19, 2013. https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/police-activity-focuses-hotel-where-missing-woman-elisa-lame/2056136/
The Ghost in My Machine. "On the Elevator Game: The History of an Urban Legend and Its Real-Life Connections." The Ghost in My Machine, April 27, 2020. https://theghostinmymachine.com/2020/04/27/on-the-elevator-game-the-history-of-an-urban-legend-and-its-real-life-connections-consequences-japan-korea-2ch-minato-ward-elevator-accident-elisa-lam-stay-on-main-cecil-hotel/
Romero, Dennis. "Elisa Lam: Why Did She Appear to Be Acting So Strange?" LA Weekly, February 20, 2013. https://www.laweekly.com/elisa-lam-why-did-she-appear-to-be-acting-so-strange/
Smith, Jodi. "The Terrifying Legend of the Elevator Game." Ranker, Accessed 2024. https://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-the-elevator-game/jodi-smith
Starr, LeeAnn. "The Autopsy: A Closer Look at the Elisa Lam Case." Georgia State University Site, April 24, 2017. https://sites.gsu.edu/leeannstarr22/2017/04/24/the-autopsy/
Interviews
FOX 11 Los Angeles. "Katie Orphan Recalls Meeting Elisa Lam." Interview by Laura Diaz. FOX 11 Los Angeles, February 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XondRTuZdN8
Documentaries & Videos
Netflix. Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel. Netflix, 2021.
BuzzFeed Unsolved. "The Chilling Mystery of the Elisa Lam Case." YouTube, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TjVBpyTeZM
Romero, Dennis. "Elisa Lam Video." YouTube, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TjVBpyTeZM
CBC News: The Fifth Estate. "The Mysterious Death of Elisa Lam." YouTube, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFa9vrm5uR4
Podcasts
Crime Junkie. "MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Elisa Lam." Crime Junkie Podcast, February 2018. https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/mysterious-death-of-elisa-lam/
Morbid: A True Crime Podcast. "The Mysterious Unsolved Death of Elisa Lam." Morbid, November 13, 2020. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-mysterious-unsolved-death-of-elisa-lam/id1379959217?i=1000498509378
Web Crawlers. "PART 1: The Cecil Hotel and Death of Elisa Lam." Web Crawlers, July 1, 2019. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/part-1-the-cecil-hotel-and-death-of-elisa-lam/id1468688105?i=1000443308226
Rotten Mango. "Episode 42: Mysterious Death of Elisa Lam." Rotten Mango, January 2021. https://www.rottenmangopodcast.com/allepisodes/episode-06-staycationing-wlmms-axmr6-72h87
Stuff They Don't Want You To Know. "What Happened to Elisa Lam?" iHeartRadio, October 2018. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-stuff-they-dont-want-you-t-26941221/episode/what-happened-to-elisa-lam-29623953/
Unexplained Mysteries. "The Mysterious Death of Elisa Lam." Unexplained Mysteries, October 29, 2020. https://open.spotify.com/episode/61a3MfVQDW6VDJa8Do7DNQ
Casefile True Crime. "Case 53: Elisa Lam." Casefile Presents, April 22, 2017. https://casefilepodcast.com/case-53-elisa-lam/
Websites
Find a Grave. "Elisa Lam Memorial." Accessed 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104862588/elisa-lam
Find a Grave. "Goldie Rogers Osgood Memorial." Accessed 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14264079/goldie-osgood
Find a Grave. "Johann Jack Unterweger." Accessed 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19207009/johann-jack-unterweger
Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. "Autopsy & Toxicology Report: Elisa Lam." February 2013. https://www.autopsyfiles.org/reports/Other/lam,%20elisa_report.pdf
