Watch Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel

Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel is a chilling docu-series that dives deep into the mysterious disappearance of Canadian college student Elisa Lam. Set in the notoriously dark and dingy Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, this four-part series from Netflix explores the events leading up to Lam's disappearance, the police investigation that followed, and the online conspiracy theories that emerged in the aftermath.

The series is hosted by filmmaker Joe Berlinger, who is known for his true crime work such as the Paradise Lost trilogy and Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes. Berlinger takes viewers on a journey through the Cecil Hotel, which has a long history of violent crimes and tragic events, including multiple murders and the infamous stay of serial killer Richard Ramirez. Alongside Berlinger, the series features interviews with law enforcement officials, journalists, and internet sleuths who all have a different perspective on the case.

The series begins with Elisa Lam's arrival at the Cecil Hotel in January 2013. Lam, a 21-year-old student from Vancouver, was on a solo trip to California when she checked into the hotel. Her family became alarmed when she failed to check in with them, and soon the LAPD was called in to investigate. Footage from the hotel's elevator shows Lam acting in a bizarre and confusing manner, leading many to speculate on her mental state.

As the case unfolds, we learn more about the Cecil Hotel's history and its reputation as a haven for drug users, sex workers, and criminals. While the LAPD struggles to make progress on the case, internet sleuths and conspiracy theorists begin to piece together their own theories about what happened to Lam. Some believe that the hotel's dark history may have played a role in her disappearance, while others speculate that Lam was the victim of foul play.

Throughout the series, we see different perspectives on the case, ranging from the LAPD's official investigation to the wildly imaginative theories of internet users. Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel explores themes of mental health, criminal justice, and the impact of social media on criminal investigations. The show raises important questions about how we can improve our approach to investigating crimes and our responsibility as internet users to avoid spreading misinformation.

While the series doesn't provide a definitive answer to what happened to Elisa Lam, it provides a thought-provoking look at one of the most mysterious cases in recent history. The show is a must-watch for true crime enthusiasts looking for a fresh take on the genre, as well as anyone interested in the impact of social media on modern society. With its chilling atmosphere and complex themes, Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel is a gripping and thought-provoking series that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between February 10, 2021 and on Netflix