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By now, you’ve no doubt binged Netflix’s latest true crime docuseries, Crime Scene: The Vanishing At The Cecil Hotel, and have been left frantically searching for all the mysteries surrounding Elisa Lam’s death and Los Angeles’ infamous Cecil Hotel.
The documentary, directed by Joe Berlinger, took a deep dive into the chill-inducing disappearance of 21-year-old Canadian student Elisa Lam, who was tragically found dead in the L.A. hotel after she seemingly vanished into thin air for multiple weeks.
While searching for her back in 2013, LAPD released one of the cases most puzzling and mysterious moments—CCTV footage of Lam in the hotel’s elevator, exhibiting odd behaviour jumping in and out of the lift before running out into the hallway.
Two weeks from her disappearance and Lam’s body was discovered in the water tank on the hotel’s roof, after guests began to complain of black-tinted water and low pressure coming from their bathrooms.
While many have attributed Lam’s death to various conspiracies—including everything from alien abductions to biological terrorism—her death was eventually ruled an accident relating to her mental health struggles related to mental health struggles.
Regardless, her death has firmly cemented the Cecil Hotel, a history of housing notorious serial killers, such as the Night Stalker himself, Richard Ramirez, the Black Dahlia, as well as reportedly known as a place to commit suicide, which earned the hotel its nickname: “hotel death.”
The Cecil Hotel has announced plans to reopen, and we’ve got all the details below.
Is The Cecil Hotel Open?
Technically, the hotel is not currently open—but according to reports, it has plans to reopen by October 2021. The hotel’s website doesn’t work, but there is an active Yelp page.
In 2014 and 2016, the hotel underwent more management changes before closing in 2017, and that same year the city landmarked the building. In 2019, developers announced it was undergoing renovations that are scheduled to finish in 2021, according to Curbed LA.
It’s Not Actually Called The Cecil Hotel Anymore.
In 2011, new management renamed it Stay on Main, a reference to its location on Los Angeles’ South Main Street. However, most people—and the Netflix series—still refer to it as the Cecil.
What Will The New Cecil Hotel Look Like?
According to reports, the new renovations will include 299 hotel rooms and 264 affordable residential units. The roof, the spot where Lam’s body was found, will seemingly be converted into an amenity space for hotel guests.
You can watch Crime Scene: The Vanishing At The Cecil Hotel now on Netflix.
Facebook has banned the sharing and viewing of Australian news articles on its platform. Keep up with the latest in fashion and culture by following marie claire Australia on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Sign up for our newsletter for curated content with substance and exclusive offers.
Facebook has banned the sharing and viewing of Australian news articles on its platform. Keep up with the latest in fashion and culture by following marie claire Australia on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Sign up for our newsletter for curated content with substance and exclusive offers.
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