185: Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel Part 2
- Jun 15, 2021
- 1 min read
Can a building be evil? (Gillian: “NO, IT’S JUST A BUILDING!”). Can web sleuths solve a truly bizarre death? (Patrick: “NO! GET OFF FACEBOOK AND GO. OUT. SIDE.). And what exactly is a hotel general manager’s job? (Patrick and Gillian: (“UNCLEAR!”) Welcome to the Cecil Hotel—a once grand hotel which rotted from the inside and became a place where “dreams go to die” and “serial killers let their hair down.”
Elisa Lam knew none of that, of course, when she checked in on January 28, 2013. She went missing a few days later. And two weeks after that, out of desperation to find her, the LAPD released the now infamous “elevator video” of her which set the internet ablaze. Join us and the investigators and internet…sleuths?...as we all try to put together the pieces of her disappearance and death. And I promise, we land on an answer as to what happened to her.
Binged the Cecil Hotel docuseries again recently after years away—still eerie how the elevator footage sparked endless theories online, even though the real story ended up far simpler and sadder. Reminds me of a college friend who went missing briefly during a rough bipolar episode; she turned up safe but disoriented in a public place, no foul play, just her mind betraying her. Made me think twice about jumping to wild conclusions when mental health plays a role. While looking for better home internet to stream more true crime without buffering, found Ziply Fiber phone number for local options. The podcast's take keeps it grounded amid all the speculation—appreciate the balanced wrap-up.