Up and Vanished Weekly | UNRESOLVED: Elisa Lam

Podcast: Up and Vanished (Tenderfoot TV)
Hosts: Payne Lindsey, Maggie Freeling
Release Date: September 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of Up and Vanished Weekly, hosts Payne Lindsey and Maggie Freeling revisit the perplexing and tragic case of Elisa Lam, a 21-year-old student whose mysterious death at the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles captured global attention in 2013. Using new insights, a critical look at the hotel's reputation, and a conversation with paranormal investigator Shane Pittman, this episode explores the competing theories surrounding Elisa’s disappearance and death—from mental illness to potential supernatural involvement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Elisa Lam’s Journey and Disappearance

• Background

  • Elisa Lam, a first-generation Chinese Canadian from Vancouver, was described as "friendly, bubbly, and outgoing," but recently struggled with newly diagnosed bipolar disorder and depression ([06:24]).
  • Seeking adventure and meaning, she planned a solo trip to the U.S. West Coast in 2013 as a way to "rediscover herself" ([06:24]).
  • Maintained regular communication with her parents and blogged about her journey ([06:24]).

• Behavioral Changes at the Cecil Hotel

  • Upon checking into the Cecil, Elisa’s behavior shifted. She was originally sharing a room but was moved to her own after roommates reported "threatening behavior"—leaving notes and locking them out ([08:16]).
  • She was escorted out of a TV show taping for erratic behavior, and on her last day was seen both acting normally at a bookstore and then wandering the hotel in distress ([08:16]).
  • Hotel staff intervened when she entered a restricted area. The next day, Elisa missed her checkout and her parents, unable to contact her, reported her missing ([08:16]).

The Cecil Hotel: A Dark Reputation

• History and Rebranding
  • Opened in 1927 as a luxury hotel before deteriorating into a notorious budget lodging by the 1960s, earning nicknames like "The Suicide Hotel" ([11:24]).
  • The site of numerous suicides, murders (notably "Pigeon Goldie" in 1964), and connected to serial killers like Richard Ramirez and Jack Unterweger ([12:10]).
  • In 2011, was partly rebranded as "The Stay on Main" to distance from its dark history, but amenities like elevators were shared with longer-term Cecil residents, keeping guests within the same, haunted infrastructure ([13:53]).

The Investigation and Elevator Video

• Police Investigation

  • Elisa’s belongings were found in a room that showed "no sign of foul play nor forced entry" ([15:40]).
  • Scent dogs tracked her presence to a fire escape, suggesting an alternative route to the roof ([15:40]).
  • The autopsy found no illicit substances and only trace amounts of prescribed medication, raising concerns about her medication management ([15:40]).

• Elevator Footage

  • The central chilling clue: security footage of Elisa behaving erratically in the elevator—"mashing buttons," "appearing to communicate with someone," "peering out fearfully," and "hiding in the corner" as the elevator doors failed to close ([16:40]).
  • Release of the footage went viral, sparking viral internet speculation including theories of mental break, foul play, and supernatural involvement ([17:56]).
  • Some claim evidence of another person outside the elevator, while others believe Elisa’s behavior suggests she was "running from someone" ([17:56]).

Competing Theories: Mental Illness vs. Supernatural

• Mental Health Factors
  • Elisa had a history of skipping medication, and her family reported prior hospitalizations for psychosis ([18:04]).
  • The medication found in her room and toxicology report suggest inconsistent use, supporting a theory of mental health crisis ([18:04]).
  • Cause of death ultimately ruled accidental drowning; her "bipolar disorder was a contributing factor" ([47:13]).

"Elisa's sister says the movements in the elevator match previous episodes when Elisa had been off her medication."
– Maggie Freeling [47:18]

• The Paranormal Angle

  • The Cecil’s haunted reputation and the mysterious elevator video fueled fringe theories, including Elisa playing the so-called "elevator game," a reported supernatural ritual from Korean internet lore ([19:10]).
  • Some believe entities or the hotel’s alleged spirits could have played a role.

• Expert Perspective: Shane Pittman Interview

  • Pittman, a prominent paranormal investigator, weighs in on perception, energy, and the idea that people may play a larger role in hauntings than supposed spirits ([25:41]-[46:46]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Elisa’s Motivation for Travel

  "I must travel for sanity. I'm freaking 21 now. My youth is fading and I haven't even lived."
  – Elisa Lam (read by Maggie Freeling) [06:24]

• On the Elevator Video’s Interpretation

  "Anyone who watches the video has a different interpretation of what they see, making the possibilities of what happened to Elisa endless."
  – Maggie Freeling [17:56]

• On Supernatural Theories and the Elevator Game

  "Some believe Elisa was playing a paranormal game in the elevator known as the elevator game... It's a Korean game that allegedly takes you to an alternate dimension through a specific button sequence."
  – Maggie Freeling [19:10]

• Shane Pittman on the Reality of Ghosts

  "I would say yes... But as far as defining what ghosts and spirits are, I've changed my whole opinion. I know we're communicating with someone or something, but I don't really know what it is."
  – Shane Pittman [25:48]

• Discussing Mental Health and Reality Perception

  "Well, either way, it's still a reality to them."
  – Payne Lindsay, on people experiencing hauntings or hallucinations [45:42]

• On the Finality of the Case

  "In the end, law enforcement says Elisa voluntarily entered the water tank with her bipolar as a contributing factor. And once she was inside, there was almost no chance for her to pull herself out."
  – Maggie Freeling [47:28]

Key Segment Timestamps

• Elisa Lam’s Background & Travels: [06:24]–[08:16]
• Strange Events at the Cecil: [08:16]–[10:10]
• History and Reputation of the Cecil Hotel: [11:24]–[15:40]
• Police Investigation & Elevator Video: [15:40]–[18:04]
• Speculative Theories: Crime, Mental Health, Supernatural: [17:56]–[19:10]
• Shane Pittman Interview (Paranormal Investigator): [25:41]–[46:46]
  • Reality of Ghosts: [25:43]
  • Perception, Energy, and Hauntings: [27:43]–[29:48]
  • Personal Experiences and Impact of Mental Health: [33:25]–[39:33]
  • Technology, Frequency, and Capturing Ghosts: [41:43]–[45:42]
• Resolution & Reflection on Mental Health: [47:13]–[49:47]

Episode Conclusion

The episode underscores that while Elisa Lam's tragic death continues to invite speculation—both criminal and supernatural—the most evidence-supported explanation is a tragic accident fueled by untreated mental illness. The hosts compassionately dismantle the supernatural theories, emphasizing the importance of mental health support and awareness.

Resources:
If you or someone you love is facing a mental health emergency, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org.

Additional Case Spotlight

• [24:16] The show features a short segment on the critical missing person case of Bradley J. Prestigiacomo from Quincy, CA, last seen August 3, 2025.

For more cases and discussion, follow @avweekly on Instagram or join the Up and Vanished Discord.