Up and Vanished Weekly – Episode Summary
Episode: PREVIEW: The Hotel Guest
Date: September 12, 2025
Hosts: Maggie Freleng, Payne Lindsey (Tenderfoot TV)
Overview
This preview episode sets the stage for an upcoming full-length investigation from the creators of Up and Vanished, focusing on one of Los Angeles’ most haunting mysteries: the Elisa Lam case at the notorious Cecil Hotel. The hosts aim to re-examine the details surrounding her disappearance and the discovery of her body in a hotel water tank, inviting listeners to consider whether this was a tragic accident or something much more sinister.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Scene at the Cecil Hotel
- Date & Location: Morning of February 19, 2013, Cecil Hotel, downtown Los Angeles.
- Initial Incident: The hotel’s front desk receives multiple complaints about low water pressure from guests and staff over several days.
- Maintenance Worker’s Discovery:
- The worker is dispatched to inspect the four large rooftop water tanks (each 10ft high, 1,000 gallons capacity).
- Upon arrival, he immediately notices an open hatch on one tank.
- Inside, he discovers the body of a young woman floating just below the surface.
Notable Quote:
"As the maintenance worker climbs up and begins his inspection, something immediately stands out. The maintenance hatch on one of the tanks appears to be open...What he sees is horrifying. It's the body of a young woman floating in water only feet below the hatch." — Maggie Freleng (01:00)
2. Victim Identification & New Questions
- Identification: Police quickly identify the body as Elisa Lam, a 21-year-old guest who had been missing for three weeks.
- Unanswered Questions:
- How did Elisa end up in the sealed water tank?
- Was this a case of accidental death, suicide, or murder?
Notable Quote:
"With one mystery solved, police must now piece together another. Did Elisa willingly go into the water tank? Or did someone or something send her to a watery grave?" — Maggie Freleng (02:00)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “The hotel has four water tanks, each measuring 10ft high and holding 1,000 gallons of water. The tanks supply both guest rooms as well as an on site kitchen and coffee shop.” – Maggie Freleng (00:35)
- “After arriving on scene, it does not take long for authorities to identify the woman as 21 year old Elisa Lam. Elisa had been reported missing from the Cecil Hotel three weeks earlier...” – Maggie Freleng (01:15)
Important Segment Timestamps
- 00:01–00:23: Introduction to the new episode and case preview
- 00:24–00:40: Reports of low water pressure and maintenance dispatched
- 00:41–01:10: Water tank details and shocking discovery by the staff member
- 01:11–02:10: Identification of Elisa Lam and framing of key mysteries (accident or foul play)
- 02:11–End: Subscription pitch and podcast promotions (content not summarized here)
Tone & Style
The narration, led by Maggie Freleng, is serious, empathetic, and investigative, intent on unraveling perplexing questions rather than providing easy answers. The preview teases an in-depth, human-centered exploration of a case that has captivated the true crime community.
Summary
This episode previews a detailed investigation into the Elisa Lam case at the infamous Cecil Hotel, spotlighting the sequence of discovery, the eerie setting, and the enduring questions around her death. The hosts promise to take listeners beneath the surface of headline-grabbing mysteries, continuing their tradition of compelling, thorough storytelling.
If you’re intrigued by the bizarre and unexplained, this is an essential listen that promises a deep dive into both the facts and the enduring mysteries of true crime’s most chilling cases.