Episode 32: Unanswered Questions – The Death of Elisa Lam

In this episode of Super SUS, we delve into the strange and tragic story of Elisa Lam, a 21-year-old student from Vancouver who vanished while staying at the notorious Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles in 2013.

Elisa was on a solo trip to California when she went missing, and the search for her quickly made headlines. But it was the release of the eerie elevator surveillance footage—showing Elisa acting in a bizarre and disoriented manner—that truly captured the public’s imagination. Was she afraid? Hiding? Hallucinating? The internet couldn’t look away.

Her body was discovered weeks later in a rooftop water tank, after hotel guests began complaining about water pressure and taste. Her death was ultimately ruled an accidental drowning, with her bipolar disorder listed as a contributing factor—but not everyone was convinced.

In this episode, we explore the strange circumstances surrounding Elisa’s death, the many theories that followed—from foul play to supernatural speculation—and the impact of internet sleuthing on real-life investigations. We also talk about the LAM-ELISA tuberculosis test, one of many eerie coincidences that made this case go viral.

But at the heart of it all is a young woman whose life ended too soon. We reflect on Elisa’s story with empathy, and ask what this case reveals about mental health, media responsibility, and our fascination with the unexplained.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.