Up and Vanished Weekly – Episode Summary

Podcast: Up and Vanished Weekly
Episode: UNRESOLVED: Elisa Lam
Date: September 17, 2025
Hosts: Maggie Freleng and Payne Lindsey
Special Guest: Shane Pittman (Paranormal Investigator)

Overview

This episode offers an in-depth exploration of the mysterious death of Elisa Lam, a 21-year-old college student whose body was found in a water tank atop the infamous Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles in 2013. Host Maggie Freleng recounts Elisa's life, mental health struggles, travels, and the events that led to her disappearance and death. The show also delves into the lore surrounding the Cecil Hotel and the infamous elevator video that sparked supernatural theories online. Later, Payne Lindsey interviews paranormal investigator Shane Pittman about ghosts, the paranormal, and mental health, discussing why the Elisa Lam case continues to haunt the collective imagination.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Elisa Lam’s Background and Journey

• Elisa was a first-generation Chinese Canadian from Vancouver, described as “friendly, bubbly, and outgoing” but faced recent diagnoses of bipolar disorder and depression.
• Yearning for purpose and adventure amid mental health struggles, Elisa embarked on a solo trip to California in 2013 to “rediscover herself.”

“I must travel for sanity. I'm freaking 21 now. My youth is fading and I haven't even lived.” (Elisa, blog post, 05:13)

2. Timeline of Disappearance

• Elisa checks into the Stay on Main Hotel (formerly Cecil Hotel) in LA on January 28, 2013.
• She behaves erratically, reportedly leaving threatening notes for roommates and being moved to a private room, and is escorted out of a TV taping for erratic actions (07:05).
• Last seen alive at a bookstore on January 31; staff reports her as normal, but later that day, hotel staff witness unusual behavior.
• Fails to check out or contact family. Reported missing on February 1st.

3. Discovery of Elisa’s Body

• On February 19th, after reports of low water pressure, a maintenance worker discovers Elisa’s naked body in one of four rooftop water tanks.
• Her clothing is found at the bottom of the tank; autopsy finds no trauma or illicit substances, but medication levels are low—suggesting non-compliance with her treatment plan for bipolar disorder.

4. The Cecil Hotel’s Dark Reputation

Historical Context:

• Once a luxury 700-room hotel (opened 1927), the Cecil transformed into a notorious site for suicides, murders, and residents including serial killers Richard Ramirez and Jack Unterweger.
• By the 1980s and ‘90s, located in LA’s Skid Row, it became infamous as the “Suicide Hotel.”
• The Stay on Main was a "rebrand," sharing elevators with longer-term Cecil residents (11:05–15:25).

“Amy Price, the former manager of the hotel, claimed she witnessed 80 deaths in the 10 years she worked there.” (11:05)

5. The Elevator Video: Internet Speculation and Theories

• Surveillance footage shows Elisa pressing elevator buttons, peering frightened into the hall, dodging unseen pursuers — prompting viral speculation.
  • Theories: She was stalked, hiding from someone, attacked, or part of a supernatural occurrence like the "Elevator Game."
• Police find no evidence of foul play; family cites previous psychotic episodes when off medication.

“Anyone who watches the video has a different interpretation of what they see, making the possibilities of what happened to Elisa endless.” (17:50) “Her death was ruled undetermined and later changed to an accident. Her cause of death was drowning…” (17:50)

6. Mental Health as a Critical Factor

• Bipolar I disorder can result in hallucinations, paranoia, and extreme mood swings.
• Toxicology reports reveal only trace amounts of medication; family confirms history of nonadherence resulting in hallucinations and hospitalizations.

“Elisa’s sister says the movements in the elevator match previous episodes when Elisa had been off her medication.” (46:01)
“The high number of pills in her room suggests she had not been taking it regularly.” (46:01)

• Law enforcement concludes Elisa voluntarily entered the tank during an acute psychiatric episode.

7. Paranormal Dimensions: Interview with Shane Pittman

• Payne Lindsey interviews paranormal investigator Shane Pittman, critiquing why people gravitate toward supernatural explanations.
• Key ideas include the limitations of human perception, time, and energy, and the psychological need to seek answers beyond rational explanations.

Shane Pittman Notable Quotes

• “Are ghosts real? I would say yes. But as far as defining what ghosts and spirits are, I’ve changed my whole opinion on that… It’s beyond our scope of understanding right now.” (25:35)
• Describing encounter:

  “As a kid, a man sees a hooded figure at the fridge—many years later, now grown, he realizes he’s become that same figure, possibly haunting himself.” (26:06–27:36)

• On hauntings:

  “I think we have more influence over certain hauntings than we may realize. A lot of times, it has to do with the living more than what we perceive as the dead.” (28:35–29:10)

• “If you were an asshole here on earth, you're going to be an asshole... for eternity." - (31:26)

8. Why Are Ghosts So Hard to Capture?

• Pittman theorizes about frequency and perception: Our technology—and senses—may not yet be capable of detecting all phenomena.
• Reference to tools that manipulate sound and frequency, and how experiences (including PTSD hallucinations) may hold a shred of unexplored truth.
• Encourages open-mindedness:

“If we didn’t listen to other theories, we’d still be stuck in previous ideas. We’re learning every single day and will never stop.” (44:35–45:26)

Notable Quotes & Timestamp Highlights

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Context | |-----------|------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:13 | Maggie Freeling | “I must travel for sanity. I'm freaking 21 now. My youth is fading and I haven't even lived.” | | 17:50 | Maggie Freeling | “Anyone who watches the video has a different interpretation...making the possibilities endless.” | | 25:35 | Shane Pittman | “Are ghosts real? I would say yes...it’s beyond our scope of understanding right now.” | | 28:35 | Shane Pittman | “I think we have more influence over certain hauntings than we may realize.” | | 31:26 | Shane Pittman | “If you were an asshole here on earth, you're going to be an asshole...for eternity.” | | 44:35 | Shane Pittman | “If we didn’t listen to other theories, we’d still be stuck...we’re learning every single day.” | | 46:01 | Maggie Freeling | “Elisa’s sister says the movements in the elevator match previous episodes when Elisa had been off her medication.” |

Conclusion

• The episode underscores the complexities surrounding Elisa Lam's tragic death: a vulnerable young woman caught between untreated mental illness and a location steeped in sinister history.
• While supernatural theories abound online—fueled by the elevator video and the hotel's reputation—investigative and family accounts point to her mental health as the central factor.
• The conversation with Shane Pittman reveals humanity's deep fascination with the unexplained and highlights the blurred lines between paranormal experiences and mental health crises.
• The case remains a touching reminder on the importance of mental health support and the dangers of jumping to supernatural explanations.

Mental health support resources are provided at episode’s end:

“If you or someone you love is facing a mental health emergency, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline…” (46:01)

This summary omits advertisements and non-content sections for clarity and focus on the Elisa Lam case and the related discussions.