21 year old Elisa Lam
from Vancouver, Canada had come to our city to see the sights but something
happened to her here, and now, the girl with the big smile has disappeared.
Just like that.
She had been staying at the Cecil Hotel in Downtown LA...once one of the
not-so-nice places, it now runs both the hotel and a youth hostel next door;
the two places popular with tourists on a budget.
It was January 31st when anyone last heard from her and now the LAPD has
released surveillance tape from an elevator inside the hotel hoping it leads to
a tip - the tip that will lead them to Elisa.
There is no audio on the video and with no witnesses it's impossible to know
for sure what is happening to her inside that elevator.
It starts off normal enough, but that quickly changes as Elisa is seen pushing
the buttons for at least four different floors. The elevator door never
closes so she begins peeking out and ducking back in. At times she cowers in a
corner as if hiding from someone.
Seconds later, she steps back into the hotel hallway and begins gesturing; her
hands reaching out as if to touch something. Question is, is that something
real or imaginary? Or is she talking to someone we just can't see?
The video then shows her pushing the elevator buttons again, all of them this
time. Over and over she hits the buttons, appearing frantic.
And then, she simply walks out, on that same floor, and vanishes.
Elisa does have a history of depression but apparently nothing like this has
ever happened. She's never been in trouble, say LAPD detectives, and isn't
known to be a drug user.
She also left everything behind - her ID, money, cell phone and computer.
So what happened in that elevator? Was she hallucinating or desperately trying
to get away from someone?
All police know for certain is the girl who phoned home every single day, kept
in touch with her friends on Facebook regularly and was supposed to be here
only for a few days is gone.
Just like that.
If you have any information that could help find Elisa Lam, please call the
LAPD at 1-877-ASK-LAPD.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), which considers itself the definitive record of acceptable English words, has just formalized its status as a legitimate noun and verb in relation to social media site Twitter.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), which considers itself the definitive record of acceptable English words, has just formalized its status as a legitimate noun and verb in relation to social media site Twitter.
Tuesday, June 11 2013 2:54 PM EDT2013-06-11 18:54:40 GMT
What is the next generation of gaming? It's a question the video game industry hasn't quite figured out yet, but it's one it must confront at this week's Electronic Entertainment Expo.
What is the next generation of gaming? It's a question the video game industry hasn't quite figured out yet, but it's one it must confront at this week's Electronic Entertainment Expo.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:57:56 GMT
With The Last of Us being one of the most anticipated games we wondered what all the hype is like for the actors? Our Tech Ninja talked with two of the actors who brought the computer generated characters to life.
While many gaming fans are excited to get their hands on The Last of Us, we wondered what all the hype is like for the actors behind the computer generated faces? Our Tech Ninja goes one-on-one with two of the actors from this highly anticipated title.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:56:53 GMT
Disney hasn't forgotten and is giving the popular Skylanders franchise a run for its money with a merchandising and gaming title of its own. Enter: Disney Infinity!
Disney hasn't forgotten and is giving the popular Skylanders franchise a run for its money with a merchandising and gaming title of its own. Enter: Disney Infinity!
Friday, June 14 2013 3:10 PM EDT2013-06-14 19:10:32 GMT
Are you a fan of old school fighting games like Street Fighter, King of Fighters, Primal Rage and Mortal Combat? How about real old school? Say, a game from 18 years back called Killer Instinct?
Are you a fan of old school fighting games like Street Fighter, King of Fighters, Primal Rage and Mortal Combat? How about real old school? Say, a game from 18 years back called Killer Instinct?
Los Angeles & SoCal NewsLos Angeles & SoCal NewsMore>>
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:16 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:16:45 GMT
There are new photos of 4 suspects wanted in the severe beating of a transgender woman, and a new $25,000 reward for their arrest. The LAPD has released security video of the attack. You can see the
There are new photos of 4 suspects wanted in the severe beating of a transgender woman, and a new $25,000 reward for their arrest. The LAPD has released security video of the attack. You can see the transgender woman walking on a sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard near Ivar early in the morning, nearly three weeks ago.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:38:54 GMT
By all accounts, Ramon and Janet Barreto are an odd couple, both physically and mentally, and you need to know what they look like to be on the lookout for them.
By all accounts, Ramon and Janet Barreto are an odd couple, both physically and mentally. The physical part only matters here because we are talking about a couple on the run, fugitives and you need to know what they look like to be on the lookout for them.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:26:33 GMT
Plastic grocery bags would become a thing of the past in Los Angeles under an ordinance tentatively approved today by the City Council, which will cast a final vote next week.
Plastic grocery bags would become a thing of the past in Los Angeles under an ordinance tentatively approved today by the City Council, which will cast a final vote next week that would make the city the largest in the nation to enact such a ban.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:19 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:19:32 GMT
The Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center have joined aquatic facilities around the world to break the world record for The World's Largest Swimming Lesson on Tuesday.
The Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center have joined aquatic facilities around the world to break the world record for The World's Largest Swimming Lesson on Tuesday.
A Southern California surfer who was shot at by Torrance police during the manhunt for rogue ex-cop Christopher Dorner has filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles suburb and its police department.
A Southern California surfer who was shot at by Torrance police during the manhunt for rogue ex-cop Christopher Dorner has filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles suburb and its police department.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:34 AM EDT2013-06-18 14:34:39 GMT
Walter Lee Williams, a former California professor is wanted for the alleged sexual exploitation of children and traveling abroad to engage in illicit sex acts with children.
Walter Lee Williams, a former California professor is wanted for the alleged sexual exploitation of children and traveling abroad to engage in illicit sex acts with children.
A 15-year-old girl got a lesson in intolerance from a TSA agent after he said something about her attire at the screening gates. The TSA is investigating the situation.
A 15-year-old girl got a lesson in intolerance from a TSA agent after he said something about her attire at the screening gates. The TSA is investigating the situation.
A Southern California man wanted for sexually exploiting children abroad has been announced as the 500th addition to the FBI's Most Wanted list, and there's a big price on his head.
A Southern California man wanted for sexually exploiting children abroad has been announced as the 500th addition to the FBI's Most Wanted list, and there's a big price on his head.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:29 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:29:36 GMT
A Los Angeles Unified elementary school teacher suspected of stabbing his estranged wife to death at a West Hills home where she had taken refuge was captured in San Bernardino County today, police said.
A Los Angeles Unified elementary school teacher suspected of stabbing his estranged wife to death at a West Hills home where she had taken refuge was captured in San Bernardino County today, police said.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:24 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:24:49 GMT
Los Angeles police today chased a possibly armed motorist to the South Los Angeles area, where the car crashed into a van and the driver refused to surrender.
Los Angeles police today chased a possibly armed motorist to the South Los Angeles area, where the car crashed into a van and the driver refused to surrender.
