Inside The Cecil Hotel: Dark Truths Behind Elisa Lam's Elevator Video

Inside The Cecil Hotel: Dark Truths Behind Elisa Lam's Elevator Video

Author: Mamamia Podcasts September 17, 2025 Duration: 53:39

On a February morning in 2013, guests at the infamous Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles complained of brown, foul-tasting water. What the maintenance team discovered on the rooftop would spark a global internet frenzy - the body of 21-year-old Elisa Lam inside the hotel's water tank.

In the days leading up to her disappearance, Elisa was captured on the hotel’s elevator CCTV behaving erratically. The now-viral footage has since fuelled endless theories, speculation, and conspiracy. But for those who worked inside the walls of the Cecil, Elisa’s case wasn’t unusual. The hotel had a long, dark history of death, violence, murder and tragedy.

This week on True Crime Conversations, host Claire Murphy speaks with the Cecil Hotel's former manager, Amy Price who lived through the sheer horror and chaos. From eerie theories to the realities of running a place with such a dark history, Amy shares what it was like inside the hotel when one of the internet's most enduring mysteries unfolded.

If any of the contents in this episode has caused distress, there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

CREDIT LISTGuest: Amy PriceHost: Claire MurphySenior Producer: Tahli BlackmanAudio Producer: Jacob Round

GET IN TOUCHWe finally have an Instagram! Follow us @truecrimeconversationsFollow us on TikTok @truecrimeconversationsWant us to cover a case on the podcast? Email us at truecrime@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note.Make sure to leave us a rating and review on Apple & Spotify to let us know how you're liking the episodes.We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

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Gemma Bath hosts True Crime Conversations, a podcast from Mamamia Podcasts that delves into infamous criminal cases from Australia and around the world. Rather than just recounting facts, each episode is built around a direct conversation with someone who has a unique, often personal connection to the story. You might hear from a detective who worked the case, a journalist who covered the trial, a family member seeking answers, or a forensic expert who examined the evidence. This approach brings a tangible, human dimension to stories that can sometimes feel distant or sensationalised. The tone is engaging and thoughtful, focusing on the nuances and the people affected, rather than just the shock value. It’s for anyone who appreciates a deeper, more conversational entry into the true crime genre, where the emphasis is on understanding the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ from those who were actually there. Listening to this podcast feels like being part of a serious, yet accessible, discussion about some of the most compelling and complex crimes in recent history.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 100

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