BrainScratch: Elisa Lam's Wrongful Death & Other Cecil Legal Troubles

[@punkindonutguy]

Brainscratch has easily become my favorite series on KZbin and definitely the one I anticipate most. The intelligence and open-mindedness of each case is exactly what I've been looking for. Keep on doing it right and I know you'll get the subscribers and fanbase you deserve. Thank you so much John for the hard work and for giving us Brainscratch!

[@LordanARTS]

punkindonutguy You win best comment of the day! Thanks so much for the compliments and keeping me inspired to create more. My viewers ROCK!!

[@RedCapeification]

On a bit of a morbid note here, as someone who's attempted suicide and probed a few of the ways to do so ( I'm no longer in that state of mind, so no worries ) drowning is horrible, painful, and downright hard to do. It's the same as holding your breath in order to end your own life. Your brain kicks in, takes over and forces you to the surface to breathe. There is no doubt in my mind that her death had nothing to do with depression. Something happened to her, it wasn't suicide and I am convinced of that. I would go as far to say that it's nearly impossible and if she had tried to do so, she would have likely had a change of heart and called for help. Someone would have heard that. This was foul play.

[@LordanARTS]

Red Cape Thanks for sharing such personal insight Red Cape. I agree, I don't think this is a premeditated suicide. Perhaps the coroner has nailed it with that "accidental" status.

[@aleksandralempart8305]

Exactly. How she ended up in the tank where only employees had access to?

[@jenneliz2020x]

Exactly! I wrote a similar post! It is very hard to drown yourself. Your mind will make you come up for air if you can. Psychologists should know this! I was pulled under by waves in ocean and I fought back. You want to breathe it takes a long time to die. Plus coroner was too experienced to check wrong box with a note! Then mark accident! Noooo

[@jaycole9584]

@@reginareece7081 why?

[@ElizabethT45]

I looked up the decision in David Lam's lawsuit against the hotel. The judge dismissed the claim of negligence, saying this: "Lam was not killed by a "bogeyman" or a "haunted hotel." He said the young woman was mentally ill and that her death could have been prevented if the lid on the tank had hinges and a lock as it does at present. "They should have secured that water tank," Johnston said. "This was an accident waiting to happen.""So this judge still thinks she was able to open the tank, climb in, and close the lid herself. Seriously?!?

[@natashawelgemoed1499]

Judge needs to be examined

[@chowder8802]

the man that worked there for thirty years would be an interesting biography

[@territimmerman140]

It's now 2021 and the story remains as mysterious as it was in the beginning! I'm really appreciating your coverage of this case.

[@JayMoney1of1]

I’m here from Netflix’s.

[@scottcantdance804]

I just got to the point in the video where he mentions that the hotel had, on average, a death a month and sometimes as many as six. I'm having difficulty picturing how bad a hotel and its clientele have to be, for your job description to be something along the lines of "clean hotel rooms and wash linens after guests check out; if they never check out, notify the police after checking their rooms for a corpse".

[@hunterthompson9456]

Michael Lopez, thanks for that link. The medications and their effect on one another have not been explored enough IMHO. The author of the post "hammmy_sammmy' makes a very strong case for a manic episode as he mentions that he also suffers from a bi-polar issue himself. The medications in question have taken a back seat to all the other cause & effect scenarios put forth including some by myself. Usually the hypothesis with the fewest assumptions should be selected. His hypothesis only assumes two things based on her blood chemistry from the autopsy: 1. That Elisa took an anti-depressant but not a mood stabilizer that same day (his extrapolation from reading medical journals and autopsy results) and 2. That the effect may have lead to an "manic episode". ..... "There is a very strong risk of mania associated with taking antidepressants alone (not in conjunction with an antipsychotic or mood stabilizer) for bipolar disorder". I have read in Tumblr where Elisa admits to being in a manic state and claims (to paraphrase) - "she could do almost anything". If that's what really happened, it doesn't make Elisa's death mysterious............only more tragic. "Common signs and symptoms of mania include: 1> Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic OR extremely irritable. 2> Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers. 3> Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic. 4> Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up. 5> Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next. 6> Easily distracted, unable to concentrate. 7> Impaired judgment and impulsiveness. 8> Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences. 9> Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases)." www.helpguide.org/articles/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-disorder-signs-and-symptoms.htm RIP E.L.

[@catherinebrock9553]

Hunter Thompson Elisa was also on Venlafaxine - a medication commonly used to treat ADD and ADHD - according to autopsy results. This med can also spur on a manic episode, especially if she wasn't on (or regularly taking) a mood stabilizer. Unlike depression, when experiencing mania, one often feels "fine" and is unaware of how close they are to the edge. After several manic episodes, I myself, experienced such an immediate drop off into a deep depression.

[@ambivalentbard4808]

Catherine Brock Venlafaxine is not commonly used to treat ADD& ADHD. Stop spreading misinformation. It is however used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, general anxiety disorder, social anxiety, & panic disorder.

[@natashawelgemoed1499]

I have all of these don't take my meds and here I am normally insane. I've thought about suicide, but water or drowning does not fit into it, I love the ocean, and we have one just right by me. Still with my mental state, I don't think of drowning myself. Painless ways

[@Deathbybigmac420]

Hello, I Love BrainScratch ! Thank you so much for shedding light on this mystery . Also heard you on The witching hour . :) I worked at the Cecil once , they used to film low budget movies and student films near and sometimes inside the rented rooms . I live in Burbank , the Cecil is a scary place at night . I hated driving to that part of the city . Good on you for keeping up with Elisa's case . We need more people like you in the world .

[@LordanARTS]

Judoka vallejo Thanks Judoka! Good to know that the hotel isn't camera shy.. I'm trying to get down there myself for a follow up episode. Have a good one!

[@wztudor2]

GeekenDorx / Judoka vallejo. Can we assume Sony will use it for "The Bringing" seems like a no-brainer. Can either of you also please explain the whole 1) "Hotel Cecil/Stay on Main" conundrum with regards to the hostel next door and key card vs. room key as well as 2) Access from the hostel over to the Cecil being restricted to guests from the 5th floor up? I can't seem to wrap my head around the way management has that place setup?

[@LordanARTS]

I don't have any good research on the keycard vs. room key, but a theory would be that they put newer electronic locks in for the hotel sections, and left the cheaper key locks in place for residential floors. In my research for the episode about the legal troubles, I recall finding some reference to them thinking it would be a safer practice to separate the types of guests. They also had renovations that were attempted then stopped, so that may influence the somewhat odd management. The Stay on Main is a hotel and hostel.. not even the police seemed to realize that in their press conferences (I don't think the term hostel is very familiar to some Americans).

[@wztudor2]

GeekenDorx Thanks John, maybe you can find out once and for all when you make your field trip over there? Good luck!

[@Deathbybigmac420]

GeekenDorx no problem John ! =) If you need any assistance for the cecil episode let me know . I would be happy to drive down and help ya . I feel people should visit that place in groups . Small groups . Nice job on the Denver airport episode . BrainScratch is better than anything related to mystery on television . Cheers !

[@alinzsko8947]

Usually, the comment section on most KZbin channel is a bottomless pit of ignorance, sarcasm and hatefulness, but not as much for your channel, GeekenDorx, I like reading the thoughtful comments! :D Just found out about your vids yesterday and I'm hooked, especially your Brain Scratch series. I look forward to more.

[@LordanARTS]

Eriné I love my commenters! A lot of open minds out there that want more than force fed, often questionable conclusions. I really enjoy reading all the theories and constantly get new angles and ideas from them.

[@naelyneurkopfen9741]

I respect what you're doing here. I hope the answer to what happened to Elisa is found through this type of conversation & collaboration. It certainly doesn't appear to be coming from more "conventional" sources. Keep it up!!

[@finallyfamous9564]

Im kinda addicted to the Elisa Lam story.. The quality of the videos you regarding her story is the reason ive gotten addicted to this story.. Had i found out about the Elisa Lam story from another source i doubt id given it enough research to really become intrigued in the way i have.. Good Stuff. Hope more info comes to light so your able to post more videos regarding Elisa Lam...THANKS

[@NuCreechure]

This is my theory based on the videos Ive seen. I put it on another video, but I wanted to put it on your most recent one about the case. SHE IS NOT ALONE AND IS INTERACTING/TALKING WITH SOMEONE THIS ENTIRE VIDEO - Skip to step #9 for the awkward hand movement theory. 1. Obviously she knows someone is coming behind her (possibly someone she knows) so she enters the elevator quickly and pushes multiple buttons so that the elevator will open on many floors and she will not be trapped on a closed elevator with the person until she reaches her floor . This maybe someone that has already tried to get her up on the roof already. And they want her on the roof because they know its better access to exit the building without going through the lobby. Going up there and on the fire escape starts to creep her out so she wants to go back to her room. 2. The person doesn't get on and she looks startled when she sees that the door also comes back open. She wants to look out without them noticing so she tries to look quickly both ways and she sees them and stands in place like its normal. 3. They start to call her out of the elevator so she leans against the wall and tries to hide in the corner where she can possibly see them. At this time there is a blur on her mouth which indicates that she is talking back with them. She peeps her head out the door to see what they want. 4. She talks to them for a brief moment but she is not able to see them so she decides to come more out of the door and they retrieve further back into the hallway because they are trying to coach her out of the elevator and they are trying their very best not to appear on the elevator cam. 5. The little jump she does could be because they scared her. I am not sure because in a way she looks like she is jumping at him. They want her to come to them, they are possibly being verbally aggressive about it, She maybe does the jump because they try to lunge toward her. They seem to be calling her to come closer to them, but she hesitates. she tries to stay as close to the elevator as possible so if it starts to close she can quickly walk in. And the person tries to stay as much out of the elevator camera view as possible. 6. She talks to them for a moment and she puts her hands on her head, possibly shocked at what they are doing and saying. The elevator door tries to close so she tries to get back on because she wants to just make it back to her room and she is scared and doesn't trust the person. 7. She is pushing all the buttons frantically because she knows the person is still pushing the call button to keep the doors open and the elevator from moving. So she is hoping she can out push them and the doors close and at least if they get on the elevator she will be closer to getting to her room. 8. the person keeps possibly threatening her to get off the elevator and she finally stops pushing the buttons and complies. They could possibly be saying things like "just come here for a minute and then you can go" 9. Now the awkward arm moving part: If you look closely it looks like she is being pulled back as she is turning towards the elevator. She waves her hand around awkwardly because SOMEONE IS PULLING ON HER JACKET. That is why the movements looks so weird. 10 The person possibly asks her "why doesn't she just come with them, or they won't hurt her if she just comes with them" And she looks like she may be saying "I just want to get on the elevator." 11. These last movements of her fingers like she is counting could mean she is saying " I dont want to go because you did this, and you did that..." or "I know you are going to try to hurt me, or rape me, or kill me" 12. At this last moment, maybe they finally convinces or threatens her to come with them. She was interacting with someone this whole time. Someone who knew this hotel very well. Who possibly was trying to coach her to the roof before she initially got on the elevator. What do you guys think? Show less

[@LordanARTS]

NuCreechure I really appreciate this comment, and while I've had many people theorize on others being outside the door, you have raised some very good points about her behavior and how it could be interactional with someone else. I really like your thought about the multiple floors (trying to understand that motivation has been tough, and your explanation seems to fit very well). Nice work!!

[@NuCreechure]

GeekenDorx thanks! I just recently heard of this story and there so much mystery behind this young ladies passing. I hope the police find the true answers soon!!

[@ShroomFactory]

NuCreechure very interesting & quite possible! #1 makes a lot of sense to me. Just two things I'd like to add - the door call button would be to the left of Elisa's direction ( in the middle of the two elevators), and when you say 'coach' I believe you mean 'coax.'

[@NuCreechure]

ShroomFactory Yes, that is why she keeps looking and going towards the left. I seen in another video how the outside of the elevators were set up. And I didn't really mean coax, but I think that it works better than coach tho, thanks!

[@caseydiana1717]

Roesch -4- Broward County Sheriff are you crazy??? People dont just end up in water tanks on freaking accident! I reallly hope you didnt become a sheriff, you dont seem like youd be a sheriff id feel safe to have..

[@caergruant5574]

Another interesting and well researched episode of Brain scratch. shedding more light on the mysterious and dark Cecil Hotel. Appreciate your work in delivering these episodes to us. Thank you kind sir for the shout out. Also I'm happy to help you in any ways regarding future episodes. :)

[@LordanARTS]

Chester Gibson I appreciate that Chester!

[@HASHEAVEN]

I've been following this case for 2 years now and you sir are spot on every known info, Brainscratch is a great series welldone. Thank you and I thank the fellow commenters as well, for their great inputs and additional info on the subject

[@LordanARTS]

HASHEAVEN Thank you so much!

[@LonelyTylenol870]

I agree. Most informative and objective analysis of this case

[@territimmerman140]

2021 here! Its still strange and not resolved.

[@mynameisdarrenc]

I've been following your videos about the Cecil hotel and you by far have the most complete analysis of the whole thing. I wanted to point out something that no one seems to have mentioned. After looking at various photos and floor maps, I noticed that Elisa appears to enter from the same direction that she leaves the elevator. When you look at the floor maps and the rooftop photos, it makes me think she was actually on the rooftop prior to entering the elevator as there doesn't seem to be any other reason for her to be in the location she entered from. Either that or she was in someone's room prior to entering the elevator. Also, after looking at the photos of the water tank, I believe she was alive and well when she was on the roof and I believe she climbed up the ladder that is a part of the elevator shaft that sticks above the rooftop and climbed down onto the tank as there doesn't seem to be any way for her to climb the tank from the outside. Your thoughts?

[@LordanARTS]

***** Good point about her entrance path. I agree that she must have been visiting someone up there (why go to that specific floor, it looks like all the others). Perhaps it was someone that wanted to show her how to get to the roof for some reason. I think it's possible that she got onto the tank as you're suggesting, but that's a six foot drop (taller than she is), and you're standing on the top of a skyscraper, near an edge. You would have to be pretty brave. There is a ladder on the side of the tank that you can see in some pics. It looks like it's chained there. I've seen conflicting reports stating that it's normally there, and other saying that employees bring it up there when needed. Thanks for the compliments and for your time Darren! Have a great one,John

[@girliboi]

the city council sounds like a pain in the ass. they don't want it to become an upscale hotel...ok fine, we'll turn it into low income/homeless housing......nope, can't do that either. well what the fuck do they want then??!!?!

[@deepthinker5000]

I believe I have cracked it, or am at least on the right track. Regarding the Elisa Lam case. Santiago Lopez was the killer, I suspect. He was the first person to tell the authorities as to where Elisa's body was and that the hatch door was open. HE WAS A MAINTANCE STAFF THERE. He knew exactly how to get up there, and as a maintenance staff could bypass the alarm system of the exit door. Based on Locard's Exchange principle there would be trace evidence of him now on the water tank, so what this means is, if a detective were to find fibers of him up there, well no shit he was up there he found the body. His prints now would be all around the crime scene. I can go deeper into the rabbit hole, There were other guests supposedly that were complaining about her odd behaviour and requested Elisa be moved because it was a shared hostile styled room. Get this, the night she moved rooms was the night she died. Maybe the staff just said there were guests complaining about Elisa so that way THEY would have an excuse to move her to a room of their choosing, logistically to make the killing simpler. She may have asked who were the ones to complain but the staff probably said we cannot divulge that information for the security of the "other guests". The staff were in on it. Think about it, they cut the video footage, botched the timestamp and had the access key to get to the roof without the alarm going off. Santiago being a worker at the Cecil could have manipulated Elisa given the fact that he works there, or is at least affiliated with the Cecil, perhaps she was slightly intimidated by his position of power. Maybe he even charmed her and perhaps flirted with her a bit and said hey check out the roof. She was hesitant going in and out of the elevator, playing some games with him until finally he pointed a gun or she was finally enticed enough to see.

[@danyst-gelais9505]

I think you're right. The edited video, the killer who knew where the cam were so he don't appears on it. Acces to the rooftop, changing her room, etc etc. It all point to that.

[@donrico8212]

Makes sense

[@aleksandralempart8305]

Very interesting, makes so much sense

[@Reversesymmetry]

I just wanted to say that I've now watched all your videos on the Elisa Lam case and your video on the Kendrick Johnson case as well, and I wanted to express how fantastic it is that you've put so much time and energy into something like this. It's a terrifying thought that someone so young could go missing, and end up dead in such a suspicious way, and it's still called an accident. I did have a thought, and it might not mean anything to the investigation or really to anyone at all, but I think in one of your previous Elisa Lam case videos, you raised the question (or one similar to it. Sorry if this wasn't you. I've watched probably 50 videos of people's theories on this case in the past 3 days and it's all starting to run together) "Why would a 21 year old college student stay at the Cecil hotel when there were possibly better options at the same price and didn't have such a history of death and violence?" We all know that there are all types of people out there, so my theory is this; perhaps Elisa picked the Cecil BECAUSE it was one of the locations that the Nightstalker had stayed at, because of the Black Dahlia? Perhaps she had a bit of a morbid curiosity about those types of things? This really doesn't mean anything, but it was just a thought that I had while brainstorming with a friend over the topic. In any case, You've done an excellent job of analyzing and studying what information we can glean from the internet. It's amazing what a handful of people playing internet sleuth can uncover!

[@ShroomFactory]

'Skid Row is an area of Downtown Los Angeles. As of the 2000 census, the population of the district was 17,740 [homeless people]. Skid Row was defined ... as the area east of Main Street, south of Third Street, west of Alameda Street, and north of Seventh Street.'

[@solidsnake2112]

You would think a hotel that has such a history of crime and sketchy characters living there would have more than one camera in the hotel. I would fully expect cameras in the hallways and in the lobby too at the very least. In the sped up version of the tape it seems like she might be trying to explain something to someone; because she does this counting thing with her fingers. maybe she was talking to the security personnel or what she thought was the security. There is no evidence for that but it's as good of a guess as anything else. Also another point is, the floor the video is taped on doesn't have access to the roof, does it? If not, Elisa would have to had been led up the stairs or dragged up the stairs/fire escape because there is no further video from the elevator. There also doesn't seem to be trauma so it leans to her being led into the tank. Another thing that puzzles me is why does the elevator open twice after Elisa disappears? Was it being called to open by her?

[@ShroomFactory]

SolidSnake2948 No trauma can alternately indicate she was unconscious

[@solidsnake2112]

ShroomFactory It could, but there would be indications of how she would have become unconscious. Strangulation marks, bruises, etc. It seems like she made it up there without that.

[@solidsnake2112]

Here is an out of the box theory. I'm sure you've all heard about the Devil's Breath drug, the one that can make a person a walking zombie; you can convince the person to do whatever you want them to do. You could convince someone to murder someone, you could convince someone to empty their bank account, you could convince someone to jump off a building while on this drug, and yes I do think you could convince a girl to follow you to the roof and into a water tank while on this. Now, would they have tested her for this drug, or would it even have been in her system in traceable amounts by the time they found her? The answer to both is probably a no. This is just something to consider, just like the invisible man theory; who knows.. Truth is much stranger than any fiction.

[@LordanARTS]

SolidSnake2948 I believe it's moving to the floors she pressed, however it's still s good point to consider.. why did they release that part of the footage at all? She's not in it. Things like that lead me to believe there is some attempt to influence public perception using that video. I totally agree, at least one hallway camera on each floor should be added for the safety of guests and employees.

[@ShroomFactory]

SolidSnake2948 Drugs.... Research chemicals (and/or 'bath salts') would likely not be detected in an autopsy. They are constantly changing and evasive on tests.

[@CausalObserver74]

Hey there GeekenDorx, a man by the name David Paulides has written about the many people that go missing from U.S. National Parks in a series of books called Missing 411. In his lasted edition, Missing 411: Urban Disappearances, he makes note that among the missing people from urban areas they tended to be from the local universities. In all the books there are rather strange circumstances surrounding the missing. Like floating face up in water or being found in or around water and that police dogs are unable to pick up a scent. GeekenDorx, I think this maybe a link in the chain of some very suspicious activities in this country...

[@JR-zw9vh]

Missing 411 changed me. That is the biggest brain scratch out there for sure.

[@terryarredondo3214]

Believe me the homeless people are all still there. You'll see them on Broadway between 3rd St and 8th St panhandling or just lottering. Skid Row use to exists on Main St, but in the late 90's it had moved east to one block on San Julian St. Now it is on San Pedro st between 5th St and 7th St, and spreading down to Gladys St and farther east towards Alameda St. Trust me if you want to see sidewalks crowded with homeless people or a bunch of drug addicts and drug dealers just walk down to those streets and they will bombard you with questions and taunts. Especially if you are white. From drugs to bootleg movies and bootleg cigarettes you'll find it on San Pedro. The police don't allow many tents like before so people either hide or carry their blankets and cardboard beds and sleeping bags. You'll never eradicate the homeless community down there, they will just keep pushing them farther and farther until they become someone's else's problem.

[@wztudor2]

Terry Arredondo They should verify how many are veterans and cut em' a break by finding some type of semi-permanent housing for them to stay. IMO

[@terryarredondo3214]

Yes there are many Veterans stuck on skid row. And there is a big Veterans Center on Temple and Alameda but I don't know exactly what or how they try to help..? I believe the majority of them who access the benefits there are sent to the West Hollywood/Westwood Center.

[@terryarredondo3214]

About the homeless Vet's: some or most are too far accustomed and somehow perversely comfortable to living in that way that they either don't seek or want help. Some are so far gone mentally that they barely are aware of their own reality.

[@ArtTasticCreations]

I've been doing a lot of research on Elisa Lam, reading all of her social media, and I've found some interesting information. I did finally find her site of burial too: www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=110876498 Although I have yet to still find an obituary or her parent's social media sites. According to her social media, she was dating someone, then they broke up. And she seemed really depressed about it. She might have been trying to meet up with this person in L.A. I think this is something worth looking into.

[@drewlovs]

I have never seen pictures of the 14th floor elevator lobby... does anyone have any? I'm trying to imagine what she was seeing when she looked out of the elevator/stood outside.

[@LordanARTS]

+drewlovs I think you can find them on a Google Image search. All the lobbies are similar, community bathroom and shower at one end, hallway leading to stairwell at the other. Mirror across from the elevator doors.

[@drewlovs]

I saw your pics in the video where you visited the hotel. Was there a reason why you didn't go to the specific floor? You might have said so, but I watch your vids while my 3 year old watches kid videos on my phone next to me. So sometimes I have to tear my eyes away to acknowledge "the engineering family"... hehe.

[@astrotrain1051]

I always come back to this case. I feel like we will never be satisfied with the answers we do have. I believe part of this is that the greatest fear is the one we all share, the fear of losing ones mind. I have come to the belief that this is what we witness with the evidence at hand. It is very dark, and the level of despair threatens to suck us down a dark path. We prefer instead to seek external causes and agencies responsible for her eerie behavior and subsequent death. You try to put yourself in her mind and you find that there is a relative ease in sliding into her psyche but it becomes a maze of mirrors and you reject the truth. The truth is that this terribly lonely and lost soul parted so completely with reality that she entered a space few ever return from.

[@LordanARTS]

+Jason Inclan I'm not sure if you're a writer Jason, but that post really conveys a strong emotional tone and I enjoyed the hell out it. It rings with a very strong sense of truth.

[@muzzbrudr]

+Jason Inclan Wow nicely said :) so true indeed.

[@FIMM011]

Love these BrainScratch videos keep them coming!

[@zeejoe]

I truly hope there will be more videos about Elisa's case, amazing job

[@LordanARTS]

Veronika Janečková Thanks Veronika.. I'm sure there will be. Hopefully the family's court case is going well (and may give us additional details).Thanks for your time and comments!

[@blackmermaidss]

I think i've just watched almost every one of your Elisa Lam videos to date and I am more confused as to what I believe than ever! Just because while there isn't much evidence out there, you've truly uncovered alot! This case is a true brainscratch!! Thank you for making these videos though. I have uncovered her case after watching all of those "top ten caught on tape unexplained deaths" etc initially (and we all know how terrible they are!)

[@LordanARTS]

+Lauren Simmonds Thanks Lauren.. I know that confused feeling you're talking about. I wish we had more solid info about what happened.

[@RebekaBoldi]

Take a look at this article (about the stabbed paramedic) : www.laweekly.com/news/paramedics-stabbing-story-reportedly-has-holes-2393685: "security video at the hotel showed the pair "milling" around the lobby for 15 minutes before MacDougall headed upstairs alone." So there is a camera in the lobby...Why do they say that the cam in the elevator is the only one in the whole building?

[@LordanARTS]

+Rebeka Boldi Yes, we've learned there are more functional cameras and even more footage of Elisa that the police have. Some of this info came out around the lawsuit. They have footage of her entering the hotel that night with two men and a box of some kind. Of course, we haven't seen that footage publicly, and who knows of those men were interviewed and cleared. I really wish this case file would be released, but I think that's part of why some of these mysterious cases are deemed a suicide. It gives the police good reasoning for withholding the files from public review.. for the privacy of the individual, and because it is no longer a threat that may affect other citizens.

[@andymcevoy4553]

Highly intriguing and desperately sad case, which has touched me in a strange and compelling way just like everyone else commenting here it seems. Well documented and great analysis of everything so far Geekendorx, Why isnt there any more cc tv footage? Seems unusual in this day and age of cheap cctv that there'ld just be the one camera in the elevator and not any more in the corridors or anywhere else, or at least in security areas like up in exits. And from the lack of info on the staff or who was on duty etc does that mean that they're all in the clear? Or the cops didnt think it necessary to check them out? And what about the other guests at the hotel? I remembered you'ld posted that there was 3 registered sex offenders staying. Not saying that cos they were sex offenders one of them must have killed her, but who else might be there? If this was an obvious suicide or at least fairly obvious suicide I'd understand but everything around this case is just so bizarre, how could they not check everyone out? To me, the video being edited is a big red flag. I mean wtf?! Surely thats tampering with evidence for a start. The excuse that it was to protect another guest in the hotel doesnt wash. The police would obviously need to see who was there to talk to that person. That sounds like an excuse I'd make up when under pressure and cant think of anything better. And who edited it as well? If that's usual hotel policy over in the US then that's hugely surprising. I think the person she is playing hide and seek with and the person she appears to be talking to in the latter part of the elevator video are different people. It looks to me in the second part from her reactions that she sees a different person than who she was expecting, which might explain her sort of half steps, then wide legged stance, then sidesteps while she explains to the new person what she was doing (she might have been embarrassed then) then she was jokingly describing things while moving her hands in that odd motion near the end. I think this person could have been a member of staff, who led her away somewhere, possibly to another hotel guest who they are in cohorts with? Do you know if the hatch of the water tank was shut tight or was it loosely closed over? If it was ajar then perhaps she somehow managed it but if it was closed tight then surely thats proof there was someone else there right? Did she have water in her lungs or was she dead already when she entered the tank? So many questions! Where's Columbo when you need him?!

[@LordanARTS]

Andy McEvoy Great summary of the open questions, and I like your theorizing on the people possibly outside of the elevator.The lid of the water tank was on properly, and from some photos I've seen this is not a hinged lid, but just a piece of square metal that fits over an opening with a lip.The autopsy did note water in her lungs.Thanks for watching and commenting Andy!

[@jason323]

I'm gonna have to go inside the Cecil next time I'm in LA, place is so creepy, I could never stay there for 2 weeks like I do in Hollywood

[@e36mmm]

As i was watching this episode I had a visual imagination of what could've taken place at the hotel during the elevator scene. Something took my attention and made me look back at the 4 min video of elisa lam once again and made me estimate the following scenario; Elisa is acting out with excitement that she has an intention of going for a swim when she appears to be talking to someone that is to the right of the elevator door by waving her arms from in to out like the swimming motion you would do when are afloat. I am estimating that she has trouble communicating with a bystander or whoever is standing towards the right of the elevator and leads her to explain her intention in detail with body language by imitating the swimming motion she does with her hands in the video to let that so called person/personnel of hotel know. If that is the case maybe that so called person that we visually can not see in the video led her to the tank for a swim.. what are your thoughts on this? Thanks for reading..

[@LordanARTS]

e36mmm That's the first time I've heard that theory, though many people seem to think that if she was mentally unstable she must have wanted or intended to take a swim. I have to wonder how she knew the tanks were even on the roof? It isn't as common to see rooftop water towers in LA as it is on the East Coast. If she was mentally unstable, she sure made some very logical steps to go up there (circumventing an alarm by not taking the easy route, finding a path on top of the tanks, and of course the most difficult question about getting the lid closed after she was in it). I just wish we had audio on that camera, and that the police would release the video of her trip up to that floor (which may show who was with her).

[@crazy1234573]

So much strange history around this hotel, there was a low income hotel near me that was in a high crime area that did not have this much murder and crime and drugs as the Cecil. I do like the direction of ideas about real estate and changing the reputation of the hotel to bring more money in. That could be the key. I still would never trust L.A. police, they cover up everything anyway, so sad.

[@colinmcguire9264]

Great stuff dude. A whole new angle & probably a bit closer to the bone.

[@LordanARTS]

Colin McGuire Thanks Colin! Great to hear from you!!

[@jayquan17ify]

Did you know Sony has a movie coming out in 2016 about Elisa Lam called The Bringing.

[@isabellavillanueva4639]

I found a picture of her mom and sister with elisa. made me sad. I cant seem to find anything regarding the lawsuit and how the hotel is not really cooperating with the family trying to get them to blame someone else. theres an article in china where they are turning this case into a movie.

[@LordanARTS]

Isabella BaleHead Yes, Sony Pictures is working on it "The Bringing." I'm hoping that the publicity may get some new info to shake loose. Maybe someone has a key to this puzzle and doesn't know it yet.

[@isabellavillanueva4639]

def makes for a good plot

[@claireslater6243]

I'm begining to wonder if the Cecil is a hotel or the portals of hell

[@richardmuncy4711]

You can see shes interacting with someone.. just cannot see them in the frame..it was her last night before checking out the following day they are probably from the area since its her last night there he talks her into getting a drink and showing her the most beautiful view from the top of the hotel ....he commits his crime then to hide it he puts her and her clothes in the water tank..thats what i believe happened

[@XXLStraightShoota]

I know this is left field but is there any way the employees at the Cecil work there to be closer to the energy or George ramerez so they can continue doing his work

[@LordanARTS]

+Gordon Grinas I certainly think there is a dark energy in that building, and just knowing the history might potentially influence an employee or someone exposed to it regularly.

[@cnbendel]

Were there any interviews or testimonies from hotel workers after Elisa's body was found? That would seem to be the obvious step for finding leads or even suspects. I study criminology at school and this series is holding me over until classes start again. Thank you so much for the great content and the time spent on it, it is much appreciated.

[@LordanARTS]

Cornelia Bendel I saw reference to one employee being taken in for questioning, but they specifically said they were not a suspect. Due to the fact that they didn't have reasonable cause (from their perspective it's an accidental death), the police investigation was somewhat limited in terms of them checking out guest rooms and interviewing everyone.Thanks for viewing and commenting!

[@jasonmontague7711]

I don't hit subscribe very often, but i find myself having that itch that only brainscratch can satisfy. keep up the good work

[@LordanARTS]

+Jason Montague Thanks so much Jason! Welcome aboard. :-)

[@hellokitty9191]

**Sees new BrainScratch video on Elisa Lam.** I am so on this video. Thank you so much, for taking the time to update us with new information!

[@name-hz2bi]

So glad I found your videos! I honestly do not see a reason why any tourist would feel the want to stay at that hotel given the dark history, and tragedy surrounding this particular hotel. It definitely out weighs the historical value in my opinion.

[@LordanARTS]

Unknown The Yelp reviews say it all. Many people show up and leave right away (even without getting refunded). Check out "Stay on Main" on Yelp to see what I'm talking about.

[@monkey-trial...6578]

This is like a Scoobie - Doo episode when it's discovered the bad guy is the one who hires the super sleuths to investigate weird stuff happening on their property , while of course confident they'll never find the whole story. Quite often the owner is the bad guy, who in an underhanded attempt to manipulate his/their/her employees or locals in the area who may have a disagreement with him//them/her, perhaps residents of the Cecil itself. in an effort to change the reputation of said establishment which by design is supposed to be in an advanced state o renewed commercial viability resulting from, in this case phase one of a vast financial undertaking. Since not many have sufficient capital to outright execute a project of this magnitude, creative ways invariably arise to offset costs of reinvigorated effort while other money needed to keep going gets jammed up with legal issues and stuff like that. In the meantime appearances must be maintained. It seems like money related crimes on this scale come undone by the most innocuous of things/events / underestimated individuals Such as an in-depth understanding of cause and effect? You think? Anyone else see a pattern emerging ? ( BTW I watch a lot of crime shows and usually can figure out who did it on Law & Order.

[@cophnia61]

Thank you for your reply to my pm! I don't want to take advantage of your kindness and steal anymore of your time but I'm reading Lisa's listography for the second time and this time something came to my mind. She talks about a book of Aruki Murakami called "Norwegian Wood". She also said she is reading another book of the same autor, 1Q84, and if I remember right she also has a pic of this book on her tumblr or instagram. Well, I've read Norwegian Wood and now that I think about it, the main female character of the book is very similar to Lisa, or at least of what shows through her blog's posts. She is a very intelligent girl, but also a frail person. Her boyfriend commits suicide, and the topic of suicide is touched also in another episode of the book. But really you can feel it permeates all the book. At some point Naoko collapses psicologically and she ends in a rehab center for people with mental illness. Re-reading it with Elisa in mind, and knowing that she also liked that book... I don't know... I can think that when she read it she identified herself with Naoko... I've read the first chapter of 1Q84 too and it has the same style of Murakami that Elisa seems to really like, so I think I will continue to read it. I just wanted to suggest the other people here interested in Elisa Lam's case to read Norwegian Wood. Here is an extract from the first chapter where they talk about a hypothetical well and the danger to fall into it and die. Now I can see a sort of similarity between the well and the tank of the Cecil Hotel: pastebin.com/hPkafDER Also, about the other book by Murakami, 1Q84. As I began to read it much time ago I am refershing my memory through wikipedia and (caps are by me): "The book opens with Aomame as she catches a taxi in Tokyo on her way to a work assignment. When the taxi gets stuck in a traffic jam, the driver suggests that she get out of the car and climb down an EMERGENCY ESCAPE in order to make her important meeting, though he warns her that doing so might CHANGE THE VERY NATURE OF REALITY (someway this remembers me of the elevator's game). Aomame makes her way to a hotel in Shibuya, where she poses as a HOTEL ATTENDANT in order to KILL A HOTEL GUEST. She performs the murder with a tool that leaves ALMOST NO TRACE ON ITS VICTIM, leading investigators to conclude that HE DIED A NATURAL DEATH from a heart failure."

[@LordanARTS]

coph nia REALLY interesting post! I can't believe the parallels...

[@wztudor2]

coph nia I have read 1Q84 twice and started Norwegian Wood, but I couldn't could get into it so I never finished. From what you say, Norwegian Wood would be a much closer parallell to what happened to Elisa Lam. I don't want to give away the ending, but 1Q84 (the "Q" stands for "Question") doesn't really mimic what eventually happened to Elisa Lam. I'm not even sure if she finished reading 1Q84?

[@cophnia61]

wztudor I think she never finished it and I think you're right about the fact that Norwegian Wood resembles more what happened to Elisa Lam. As for me it was the opposite. I began 1Q84 but it seemed too heavy so I ditched it for Norwegian Wood. The second chapter of Norwegian Wood is a little dull but after that it turns more fluid. But I've seen much depends on the translation, I've read it in italian (my mother tongue) but honestly the english translation seems much better, so maybe it's the same for 1Q84. I've seen you have uploaded an audiobook for 1Q84, now I want to read it! Also I've looked at the japanese version of both Norwegian Wood and 1Q84 and it's much better than the translated versions, but I think this is true for every book. Too bad my japanese level is so low, I'm not able to tackle a full novel :/ So I will stick with the english translation (not that my english is much better as you can see ._. ) PS: sorry for the long reply and if it's not related at all with Elisa Lam

[@wztudor2]

coph nia Your English is very good! There's only one audiobook on youtube I have found in English and it's only the first half. When I listen to it, the only voice I don't care for is the narrator who besides playing Tengo, he also does Fuka_Eri. I picture her as the young, enigmatic, and attractive, 17 year old author of "Air Chrysilas" but when he does her voice, it ruins it for me. He even sings in German as her @ 10:13:17 it's hilarious!

[@Mischeaux61]

Hi John, I don't think that this video is in your BrainScratch playlist? LOVE this series! Thanks so much for doing the research for the rest of us who don't have time, but still wonder about these things. It's nice to find someone who is rational AND open minded. I don't suppose you have ever looked into ancient giants, have you? That is the "mystery" that has me obsessed these days and I constantly go back and forth between "were they real" and "biblical hoax." If you're interested let me know and I'll send you some info, but I have a feeling that you have your hands full now with your very successful series! Can't wait for more, thanks again. :)

[@JohnJohnson-et5et]

Mischeaux61 Nephilim?......very creepy.

[@LordanARTS]

+Mischeaux61 Thanks for letting me know! I think it's added now (thanks to you). I really appreciate that.I'll check out ancient giants. Sounds interesting!Take care, and thanks again for the playlist help!

[@dracenmarx]

So, according to "Los Angeles Times", someone jumped from the roof. It would be highly interesting, if he jumped from a window at one of the higher floors, or if he jumped from the rooftop! He can only jump out of a window, if a corridor has windows. I was never been in many hotels, but the one's I have seen, the corridors had either no windows, or windows which cannot be opened. Windows that can be opened, are usually only in the guest rooms. If he jumped from the rooftop, it would be one more proof that their alarm system simply doesn't work, and that would change the analysis of Elisa Lam's case in some ways. Who can actually proof that the door was alarm secured in the night when Elisa Lam died? Or did the Cecil only tell it to the police, because otherwise they would come into legal trouble, if their roof is not secured?

[@LordanARTS]

dracenmarx Still not seeing any news updates on this case. Can't say that I'm really all that surprised.Good point about the liability of the hotel!

[@aleksandralempart8305]

There was actually a suicide that happened that way. A girl commuted suicide that way and killed a man walking on the sidewalk on her way down

[@ricardomartinez8430]

I'm just surprised about how this case is still not solved but I'm also still think something supernatural happened to her because of all of these events like not setting off the alarm stuffing a body through the small hole and her eyes and strange acts

[@shellieroman4287]

These videos are great! So much information others aren't discussing

[@rooman66]

Fantastic update and awesome research as always John - cheers Andy :)

[@LordanARTS]

Andy Boyd Thanks Andy!

[@michaellopez3642]

John, I love these videos, especially the Elisa Lam case. I also enjoyed listening to the interview you had on In Other News Radio. I am officially obsessed with this case. Do you know if the LAPD has closed the case officially, or it just sitting in a filing cabinet still open? Also, have you been able to find anything regarding the conditions of Elisa's room on the 4th floor once hotel staff and law enforcement got inside? P.S., - A historical case you might want to bring into this series: "The Lead Masks Case".

[@danielhuntley5775]

Doesn't the graffiti writing near the water tank look similar to Elisa's own hand writing?

[@sidekick353]

I thought it looked like the female manager's signature.

[@vickinoeske1711]

I wish that you had shown an area map during the part of your video (the luring of students, etc).

[@EmillyOrr]

All these rebranding attempts seem so odd right now, because didn't I hear that the next chapter of American Horror Story will be subtitled Hotel Cecil? Wouldn't the producers have had to work out use of that name with the current owners?

[@VoeViking]

Does anyone knows if she had any other belongings with her like the key to the room? If not was the key found?

[@LordanARTS]

VoeViking Room key was found in the water tank with her.. as well as her watch (though I believe it was off).

[@VoeViking]

Thank you, I'm struggling to get good reliable Info about this case but still looking for it, specially family background. If the watch were an analogue would be great to determine the time of death, if it wasn't waterproof.

[@danbow9904]

One question: was the tank's water heated? If it wasnt, are we to believe she voluntarily slid into the ice cold water, in pitch darkness while making sure she closed the hatch behind her?

[@miickysmith6452]

Dan Bow Very unlikely it would be, it would more likely feed to an element or boiler for hot water. It might be fairly temperate though, depending on the ambient temp for the previous few weeks.

[@LordanARTS]

Dan Bow I don't believe it's heated up there (the tanks don't appear to be insulated), so you would probably be correct about the water being cold (end of January).Thanks Dan!

[@sidekick353]

No water in lungs leads me to believe she was already dead.

[@lightoflife7795]

Perhaps the tank was left open and she was jumping from the elevator maintenance room on to the top of the tank for a better view. She may have inadvertently landed directly in the water tank hatch. I haven't seen the area personally to know if this would be possible, though. Having said that, the elevator footage is a very strange part of her story too.

[@muzzbrudr]

Fascinating, thanks again Mr Super Sleuth!

[@princessginwood1332]

Good job on this video! I enjoyed your interesting research on this fasinating case. I had to Subscribe, I look forward to watching your other shows! Thank you for posting this video! I am defiantly a new fan!

[@LordanARTS]

+Princess Ginwood Thank you Princess Ginwood, and welcome to the channel!

[@maziku4749]

another great video. could you possibly weigh in on the amy bradley case one day?

[@LordanARTS]

+maziku I'll add that to my list of episode suggestions. Thanks Maziku!

[@nmhtv3427]

Great job came after Netflix wanted more information thank you

[@adamthestarlord9595]

What floor and hotel room did she stay in?

[@LordanARTS]

Adam V I'm certain it was the 4th floor, but I can't recall the room (possibly 412). If you watch "The Journey of Elisa Lam" I believe there is a scene where they show it.

[@Crpzlol]

These Elisa Lam videos are my shit. I actually check every 2-3 days if theres a new one of ya. Damn interesting..Keep 'em coming.

[@LordanARTS]

crackhure x I appreciate the support! I did a two hour radio interview on this case last night, I'll post s vid with s link to it as soon as it's available. Have a great one!

[@RK-kl4br]

What is the blog of Elisa Lam where she writes her struggles of mental health?

[@taylormade4393]

Love your content John. Keep up the great work. We appreciate you.

[@ryankelly3949]

It's clear I'm not the only one fascinated with this case, WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ELISA LAM? the upcoming movie won't answer any questions but will certainly bring this mystery to many more people's attention which is a good thing......1 day we will have the truth. keep vids coming when u can. great job.

[@LordanARTS]

Ryan Kelly Thanks for the comments and support Ryan, and I do hope you are right and we get the truth someday. I also hope her families wrongful death suit helps to reveal some more aspects of the truth.

[@matta3113]

have you ever considered doing this show as a podcast? i really enjoy the brain scratch but i dont have alot of time to sit at my desk and listen

[@LordanARTS]

+Matt Anderson I am considering that (either reworking BrainScratch to be "audio only" friendly, or potentially an additional show, maybe with a co-host). Big plans for 2016.

[@alinzsko8947]

Poor Lam, her case really troubles me, I feel as though though we may never find out what truly happened, regardless, I hope she gets justice one day. Also, I think Fred should've done us all a favour and demolished that messed-up building

[@LordanARTS]

Eriné Great idea.. build something positive there instead and leave all that troubled history behind!

[@xerravon]

I can't believe you don't have more sub's! Currently 32k? I expected to see like 2M, I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

[@emirlie]

Yes sir. Perfect pronunciation.

[@isabellavillanueva4639]

your videos on Elisa Lam is like my drug. Wow someone else may have been involved? this is beyond interesting. keep em coming

[@isabellavillanueva4639]

you couldn't disagree respectfully? Jeez

[@isabellavillanueva4639]

oh...I knew that

[@LordanARTS]

Isabella BaleHead Thanks for the support! I did a two hour radio interview about this case last night. I'll post a video with a link to the radio show as soon as it's available. :-)

[@isabellavillanueva4639]

super. thank you GeekenDorx

[@TheHikeChoseMe]

i stayed at a high end hotel in London. every time we came back to the hotel they checked us for key cards to make sure we were actual guests.

[@TheHikeChoseMe]

that's what I was thinking, if she was so mentally ill, why would they allow her to go alone!? if you want to blame the hotel for not keeping YOUR daughter safe, but not take responsibility for it yourself? or here's a big thing, elisa herself being the one responsible..gasp

[@ShroomFactory]

Hey! Thanks for the shoutout! :)

[@natashawelgemoed1499]

Security lil to none, that's why, the hotel can get away with these things. They taking, advantage of Elisa Lam mental health she seemed like a normal person, with the venture young people normally does.

[@IanP1963]

Not on my list of tourist stays if or when I go back to LA.

[@danielled8756]

Hello again John! Hope you are well friend! Really want to applaud your work you've done here with digging into this case. This is a case that my Wife and I have literally taken a week and watched every video, clicked every link, absolutely anything we could find on the Elisa Lam Case. Not only is this case incredibly twisted, it's incredibly sad. I apologize for the lengthy post and I apologize if I bring up something someone else already has. But there are some burning things on my brain I wanted to share with you and see what your opinions are on them... With all the obvious things aside, there are a few things that I think are important. On her blog on tumblr while she was in LA she mentioned "Mexican & Italian" stalkers that won't leave her alone. We know she's obviously hiding from someone or maybe more than one person. I've watched that elevator video over and over. One point you made about the point of the video, questioning the point of it, made me think... This is a Hotel in LA next door to Skid Row, Legal problems one after the other, shady folks doing shady things all around... Where are the other cameras? No cameras in the hallways? No cameras on the door going up to the roof that has such a tragic history of "jumpers"... and this is the ONLY video footage they have of her at that hotel?? Where is the footage of her going to the 14th floor? Wherever she was before she had to have gotten on the elevator to get there no? Where is that footage? It's 2013 at that time, there's cameras every where! Especially in LA! There's no other footage inside or outside of the hotel of her at any time while she was there? None in the lobby or the other hallways? I find that extremely hard to believe... She clearly looks like a woman who may have literally just been drugged. She seems at some point, when she puts her hands up to her head outside the elevator door, and turns to go back in... she puts her hands up to the sides of the elevator like she's trying to maintain her balance. Like if one was drunk or buzzed and nearly drunk. Could her hand motions be her trying to figure out what the heck is going on with her? If this was a girl that didn't drink or do drugs like that she may have been freaking out wondering what is happening to her? She also to me seems like she's jamming the elevator on purpose to keep it there. Possibly to stop them from following her? There's another elevator right next to that one on each floor and I'm sure stairwells... Was she looking out at the other elevator and stairwells to see if they were coming for her? To me she looks drugged, it's kicking in, and she's purposely stalling the elevator. Not playing a game, not possessed, not having a bipolar episode. It's blatantly clear to me. What do you think? The graffiti... "she was a cunt"... if she was constantly turning these "Mexican & Italian" down maybe they thought she was a cunt for that? Point being... this girl was from Canada. How would she know there's water tanks on the roof and knew how to get up there and IN the tanks? Especially since there's no proof one way or another that the ladder to get up to the top of the tank was there all the time or someone KNEW where it was to get it there and use it to get her up there... Did these two "stalkers" kill her and in their arrogance put a sign for all to see? Did they do this before? There's certainly a lot of "jumpers" there at that building... One other video I watched of Ghost Hunters doing this game in the elevator... he mentions SECURITY asking him not to play on the elevators... Did they hire security AFTER the Elisa Lam death? Or where was security on the night of her death? Where the heck were they if the WERE there working that night? With the video edited... all the things I mentioned... this totally points to an inside job in my opinion or at least someone or some people that have knowledge of this hotel and it's inside and outs... Did someone have a master key? The postcard to her friend... I have a picture of part of it saved to my phone that I got from Bing Images but it's not there now in the search results so I'll have to upload it here somehow for you, unless you've seen it already... but it says... "You can get... It is creeping me... Ryan Gosling and... Drive pilgrimage... Places you can. Lots of Love, Elisa" Did one of these "stalkers" resemble Ryan Gosling? She also said on her tumblr blog that "she felt like their prey". Something was going on with this girl and these guys that were creeping her out... Why was this not looked into deeper by local law enforcement? Do they just write off this area because it's next to skid row? Seems like detective 101 to me... Cover all your bases. This case sticks with me because of how twisted it is and how there has been little to no common sense when determining what happened to her, who did it, and WHY. Water would have washed away all evidence of a sexual assault. If she was given a date rape drug or new one, she wouldn't have been conscience to fight off a rapist or rapists so there would be no defensive wounds... Her clothes were removed and they found gravel/dirt from the rooftop in the tank. Possibly on her clothes from being laid down during an assault or even while they were getting the tank open and ready for her? So many questions and how this wouldn't keep a detective up at night is beyond me. How do these people sleep at night? Keep up the good fight my friend. Sorry again to you and all your subscribers for the lengthy post here, but these questions have been bothering me for a month now and wanted to bounce them off you and your supporters. Have a good one and take good care! Reb

[@wztudor2]

Rebel D All good points, you should sign the petition to the LAPD regarding her case if you haven't done so already. secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/Los_Angeles_Police_Department_Close_mystery_of_Elisa_Lam/?nfDMyjb

[@LordanARTS]

Rebel D Really good analysis of the open questions Rebel. Just to add some info:1) There was security there before her stay (it's mentioned by the owner that took it over in 2007). Apparently the security guys before that date were somewhat armed (mace, nightsticks) but then they were replaced with guys in blazers with walkie talkies only. Either way, the answer is yes, some form of security guards should have been on site. 2) I can't believe the lack of cameras either. From what I recall there are only 3 (1 in each elevator and 1 at a "back door"). With all the history of on-going crimes there I would also think they would install more cameras, but maybe they didn't want to deter the paying customers they were getting from the illegal activities. 3) I've seen the postcard.. just wish someone had a complete picture of it. 4) I can't know if she's drugged for sure or not (it does appear that something is affecting her heavily, she could also be exhausted for example, like if she didn't sleep for a few days) but worth noting that in that state, to believe the official story you have to assume she climbed a fire escape, on a 14 story structure, to the roof then climbed even higher to get on the tank. I agree with you that she looks physically affected in a way that would probably make those tasks pretty difficult to pull off, or much scarier at the least. She seems too timid in the footage for me to believe she did all that. Really awesome post Rebel, there are so many questions that we just can't answer, and I agree there is an immense sadness about this whole case that resonates strongly with people that look into it seriously. Have an awesome week!-John

[@StuiClips]

1. can you get the names of people staying there that night? a. were there any people of significance that has relations to the LAPD or powerful political figures?

[@ov50music18]

I been watching this case since it happened..im new to watch your videos.. it's interesting can't stop watching it.

[@LordanARTS]

+Omar Velez Welcome to the channel Omar!

[@ov50music18]

+GeekenDorx thanks

[@kinnetiko]

Apparently new york times and myself finds it odd that the name of the hotel is the exact name of the lion which was executed. Cecil Hotel, Cecil The Lion

[@JohnJohnson-et5et]

Rodney Levendosky I don't follow? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_%28lion%29

[@ShroomFactory]

Rodney Levendosky the Lion knew too much!

[@JohnJohnson-et5et]

ShroomFactory :>)

[@TylerSane5]

Respect homie! Love the videos!.

[@LordanARTS]

Tyler Sane Thanks Tyler!!

[@paulaharrisbaca4851]

I was wondering what the weather was like the day of the mishap, and if the Cecil has a pool. Perhaps the whole water tank thing started out as a resident or an employee saying "you can swim in the water tank on the roof, it's easy, I've done it before, I'll meet you on the roof and we can swim in the tanks"...I know, I'm a lazy butt, I should do the research, but I like to conjecture. (I like that phrase "one step above homelessness." That article is interestingly written. Very modern media/Stephen KIng--who I enjoy, btw--snappy style with tiny slants this way and that way.)

[@LordanARTS]

Paula Harris Baca I can't find any info about a pool being there. I'm pretty surprised they can stay in business with a Yelp page like they have (search for STAY ON MAIN on Yelp and read away- horrible reviews and experiences).

[@GdThngUrPretty]

Based solely off a four minute video of a possible suicide or murder victim, you've given us as an audience a virtual history of LA via the Cecil, and Skid Row, which I wasn't really familiar with until now. I'm only 6 vids on the list in, and I can't comment for those ones yet obviously, but it's really cool that you took the time to care about context. For me personally, this can be explained fairly easily, if tragically: Elisa was in some kind of manic state, which is jarring to all us people trying to hold it together, or she was being attacked or threatened. I don't think we'll ever know exactly what happened, but my guess is a bit of both. Stranger things have happened. Should also note, the bipolar switch can be brought on by stress. She had been venting via social media for the past few months, and did so sporadically the whole time she was at the hotel. It's possible the stress killed the depression and brought on a mania. Perhaps it was just too much. Vacations can be alienating anyway, and doubly so if they're not what you thought-- in a bad way. If you look up testimonials from bipolar sufferers, they can hallucinate and create a logic that makes sense only to them while manic as well. This is what makes me truly sad about it. Maybe just the wrong place at the wrong time, but her own mind was the enemy. However, something else is hinky. Unless that sand is somehow in the tanks anyway, the fact that it's in her clothes makes me think something happened to her. Possible rape and murder. Possible employee. From the Chinese video, you can see how someone could easily get up to the tops of the tanks. Which would make someone familiar with them use them as an easy dumping ground. Or serve as a "safe place", like an isolation tank, to calm her down, leaving her to panic and strip until she couldn't stay up anymore. There are two logical explanations here that can even intertwine and still fit Occam's Razor. For better or worse, I finally realized that after watching this series. So you did something right to get me thinking critically. Anyway. It's been cool learning about LA. Kind of brilliant. Kudos, sir. Some of your sources are a little suspect for my skeptic brain, but you came to (IMO) the correct decision in the IVA video without going too far into tin-foil hat territory. (Nothing wrong with that, more power to yall) You got a new subscriber. Looking forward to getting caught up.

[@chumccurry1765]

Another well made video, thx for your work

[@Jamakeupartist]

a fellow youtuber trisha paytas or bldsundoll4mj just made a video about her stay at this hotel...it's her storytime video she posted today 9/29/15 ... she is more of an entertainer on youtube but the story seemed like she was truthful.. I have watched 3 of your videos very interesting! ive heard of this case when it happend... sad to think this is just because of being bi polar thats too easy of an answer and i dont think she killed herself

[@Sharkman3472]

Another great video! What is up with the Cecil! A death about every month! Thats crazy!

[@HASHEAVEN]

I would like to share my views on the movie, I find the upcoming movie a bit disrespectful for Elisa's family, somehow they (sony) are capitalizing on their child's suffering death to make millions, and ''entertain'' others with someone's tragic misfortune. Imagine how hard it will be for her family to view trailers in the standard Hollywood way and read critics about their child's death! Also as we don't have enough evidence to know what really happened, the movie makers are probably going to make up a story based on their project, possibly making supernatural causes or other false assumptions. I am afraid that every time people are going to refer to her story the movie scenario (whatever it may be) will pop up and eventually replace any other possible explanation thus misleading the public from the true mystery around this case.

[@LordanARTS]

HASHEAVEN That's a really good point.. the movie does have the potential to muddy up the few facts that are available.Very well thought out comment HASHEAVEN! Nice work.

[@TheEyeOfTaurusAK]

I basically read all her blogs and clicked on "suspect" tumblr photos that didn't make sense....but I hope the info I found helps you out!!!

[@ShroomFactory]

I think it is unlikely that she willingly committed suicide. That being said, she wrote in detail of her stressed state of mind in the weeks and months leading up to her travels (Canada, California) in Jan. 2013. 11/24/2012 - "i called a suicide hotline and spoke for 2 hours I think . i'm glad they exist" nouvelle-nouveau.tumblr.com/post/36419328804/this-whole-mess-was-the-result-of-one-idea-to

[@mammypierce4576]

Could she have met someone even in the lobby that told her there was a party on the roof? U know kids r going up there because of the tagging. The kids may have a way of bypassing the alarm. A predator was aware of this activity then enticed her even coaxing her playfully outside the elevator. He turned aggressive when they were on the roof alone. She ran up on the maintenance roof building & possibly onto the top of the tank to escape the predator only to be followed. Predator had opened the hatch then chased her and pushed her in.

[@d.e.brinker4597]

Thank you for these, I enjoy watching Brain Scratch.

[@7777AwesomeSauce7777]

Yes! Finally another video about Elisa Lam i really dig these! Thanks a lot man really love your content!

[@LordanARTS]

βlαηκFlαηκ Nice to hear from you again BF! Hope you enjoy your Friday and thanks for all the support!

[@murderinglala]

@GeekenDorx I had a little peak in interest so I found her twitter and instagram... This girl seemed perfectly normal?... wtf, I was into watching, learning the theories that people had. There's no sign she had any sort of mental illness and it seemed like she might of had either been murdered or some what of a mental break down I mean look at her tweets twitter.com/lambetes they look like something a normal girl her age would write. Nothing crazy, mental or disturbing. Like for example "Lambetes: Sometimes I forget that people are stupid. And then someone opens their mouth" I believe she was murdered, I mean from her tweets she seems completely sane. Look at them, and her instagram. instagram.com/moulesmariniere/ I don't know about you but she was definitely murdered. She seemed frantic, and it seem's her personality is sane. All of you people posting theories clearly didn't do enough research. Read her social media, that explains a lot. Interactions are key. It also seems from her tweets, from what I've deduced is she has a very serious ego when it came to smarts. She might of seriously pissed someone off, maybe with an attitude issue? Possibly. And then they murdered her for it, she was in a dangerous hotel/neighborhood. And I'm pretty sure the slightest thing with some of the people down there and they wouldn't of been afraid to take someones life. Another example "Lambetes: WELL GEEZ DAD IT'S NOT LIKE THE WORLD IS ENDING IN 40 MINUTES HI TO YOU TOOO" and "Lambetes: What the east coast needs right now is a really really good joke. Keep your spirits up and take care of each other #sandy" also "Lambetes: SAVE US GYLLENHAAL IT'S THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW" Normal tweets from a sane girl. My diagnosis, she was murdered. Oh and her family reported her missing in LA: twitter.com/sarahlams someone was probably blackmailing her to go LA or to that certain hotel. "Sarahlams: #findelisa #vancouver #LA no further comments at the moment, police handling everything. please respect my family and friend's privacy" also "Sarahlams: so grateful for each and every search and rescue volunteer helping to #findelisa in #LA" she was not a mental case, she was forced to go there possibly. They didn't even know the hotel she was staying at. And even if she was a mental case, would that lead her to go to that roof and commit suicide at that specific building? She was not a mental case, she was forced to go there and was murdered. Possibly by someone who took the stair-case. If I was apart of the investigation, would check family members, ex-boyfriends, enemies or even the people she met in LA, and when she went to meet them "secretly" because even her sister, nor her parents knew where to find her, this mysterious person murdered her. Or maybe she was kidnapped which is why her parent's didn't know of her where-about's, and when she tried running from captor the elevator didn't work so she either tried running down the stair-well or she decided it would be a good idea to hide in the water tanks but didn't know the severity it would of been to hide there, or maybe she was killed and stuffed in there by the captor. And her phone being missing also supports the kidnapping theory, to conceal texts she was having with him/her. And they probably have destroyed it already. Just my thoughts. She was either A: Kidnapped B: Blackmailed C: Pissed someone off D: Tried hiding from the person she was meeting E: She misinterpreted a friend and he was actually someone with a more sinister plan. She seems like a girl who was a shy girl who's social life wasn't really that good... And coming there really showed her social side, which she never has really done before and it ended up costing her her life when she mistakenly misunderstood a friend for a killer. 2:25 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXvCdmmiZrVrbLc the foot that appears in the footage is not her because of the way shes walking its about a foot away before that foot steps away, and it faces completely the other direction. Yeah she was murdered, who ever that foot belonged to, they murdered her. I made a GIF of it. gyazo.com/af1fb8e6db224ae13a2df340ae4dc6cd Clearly the front end of a shoe, closed toed, not a sandal, possibly a dark colored boot.

[@charlene7406]

+Trintion Entertainment Not sure how familiar you are with mental health, but most people who have mental health issues don't seem particularly abnormal to the average person. People who have mood disorders and are receiving proper care/medication/etc. will often behave in socially acceptable ways. It's only the more extreme diagnoses and those who are untreated who will show behaviors that are not normal. The reports state that she had bipolar disorder. I don't know how familiar you are with bipolar disorder, but people who have it can function quite well with proper care. In fact, one of the lead researchers of bipolar disorder in the U.S. is a woman named Kay Redfield Jameson, who has bipolar disorder. She's quite intelligent, and in general, people who have bipolar disorder can often be quite smart and creative. You may want to re-examine your own presumptions of those who struggle with mental health issues. Having a diagnosis doesn't mean a person is walking around, hallucinating and making weird gestures and acting bizarrely or saying strange things.

[@natashawelgemoed1499]

I've got mental issues, I'm still normal, not everyone has it. The same, I get panic attacks, anxiety, depression, moods, you name it, off meds on meds, I pretty much am still functioning sane

[@chowder8802]

this may be strange but I can't sleep without having your videos on auto play

[@chowder8802]

not because it's boring at all but because it's comforting

[@omgutubeismylife]

people really are unaware of the hotels notorious history

[@TheEyeOfTaurusAK]

Also, (sorry to post so many comments), this person claims to HAVE the toxicology report for Elisa? Says to message him if you want a copy of autopsy and toxicology report (not sure if it's the tox report you were looking for in the one video, maybe worth a try?) sleuthyouth.tumblr.com

[@onefeather2]

The Cecil hotel is still a dump today.

[@thezejomater]

once again, great video!

[@LordanARTS]

thezejomater I appreciate it! Have a great weekend. :-)

[@RoboMomo]

Love these videos!!

[@ghostgirladventures1782]

The whole elevator being different is Weird! I don't get it! EVERYTHING is so Weird about this and I feel terrible for her family!