#crime scene the vanishing at the cecil hotel

[castiel-stark]

The Elisa Lam documentary follow up:

Turns out Elisa alone wasn't a victim. Pablo Vergara too is one.

Feel sorry for the poor guy who was just making metal in his room, now traumatized for life for a crime that he never did.

[eemoo1o]

You know when you open up a true crime documentary and they immediately start showing a tumblr user creating their blog journal that some real fucked up shit’s gunna go down

[lunadramslesworld]

After watching the Netflix documentary 'Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel,' I was inspired to create a Tumblr account to share my thoughts on the platform.

~ 03.05.2024 ~

[amandal35]

I'm so glad I found you tumbler!! I found you through a documentary called Crime Scene: The vanishing at the Cecil Hotel on Netflix. Poor Elisa Lam.

[the-blind-assassin-12]

Tag, I’m it!

I was tagged by the lovely @practicalghost - thanks, Lia!! 🌻

Last song: Long Distance Lover by LUTHI - it’s SUCH a groove. Definitely a tune that lifts my mood whenever it’s on.

Last show: That I finished? Does a Netflix documentary count? If so it was Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel. I’m a sucker for unsolved mysteries and old creepy hotels - this hotel in particular. (It was the inspiration for AHS Hotel, which was my second favorite season.)

Last movie: I am not even entirely sure. I don’t really sit down to watch movies all that often. I think it was Amsterdam which I actually really liked and laughed my ass off through. When I found out that it was kind of a flop I was surprised because it kept me very entertained. But also not surprised because I tend to enjoy things that others do not, and I tend not to enjoy things that are seemingly well received. #weirdo 🤷🏻‍♀️

Currently watching: Season 3 of The Mandalorian, though I’m not caught up yet. Also? The latest season of Deadliest Catch. 😂 I know that’s strange but that show has had me CAPTIVATED for 20 goddamn years and it’s crazy because every episode is just: waves, cold, ice, crabs, engine failure, injury. But here I am INVESTED.

Currently reading: The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin. Juuuuuuuuust cracked into this one this morning so I’m not far enough in to say much about it but two friends strongly suggested it and raved about it so I’m goin in. (Within the first few pages the world is already ending - and not for the first time - so it’s got my attention.)

Current obsession: Um?? I don’t know?? I feel like all of my obsessions are permanent and “current” implies that it’s new and/or it won’t last. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending) for me, when I love a thing I love it forever. So a permanent obsession? Keeping my plants alive thriving. 🌱🪴🌿

Tagging: @something-tofightfor @oonajaeadira @stealyourblorbos @haylzcyon @writeforfandoms @insomniamamma & anyone who wants to play!!

[blackstonechick]

New here. Thanks to Netflix’s Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel. Ready to be even more weird. Will definitely pour my heart out. Y’all don’t know me…

#Chicagogirl #WhyamIhere #Writer #Havenocluehowthisworks #RIPElisaLam

[pwerwoman]

Watching Crime Scene: The Vanishing At The Cecil Hotel;; so damn crazy but made me remember about tumblr. So here I am 🫣

[rebeleden]

Watch "British Couple’s Horrifying Stay At The Cecil Hotel | Crime Scene: The Vanishing At The Cecil Hotel" on YouTube

[lunaprincipessa]

ENTRY SEVENTEEN

This entry is gonna be about what brought me to Tumblr. I only joined recently, this year (2023). I ended up creating a profile after watching Crime Scene: The Vanishing at Cecil Hotel.

I never knew about it before, but ended up learning a lot about the hotel itself, its history, and all of the tragic events that took place behind closed doors.

It's hauntingly intriguing, this docuseries, especially when it told the unfortunate story of Elisa Lam.

As you watch the episodes, it starts Elisa's segment with a post she made on here. She talked about how people can be themselves on Tumblr. She talked about writing candidly. Both of these things immediately caught my attention. She also talked about people hearing your random thoughts and how satisfying it felt to click "publish." Her blog apparently explored an array of topics giving me the impression that she, amongst many others, felt comfortable with raw expression here.

Truth is, this little blog of mine could've started and ended with those positive remarks about the website, but anyone who has watched this show knows there's so much more to it than that - and it all left quite an impression on me.

The viewers end up finding out that there isn't a happy ending for the young Elisa. There's no denying the misfortune that crossed her path, or the fact that the sting of it still lingers today. For anyone that may be unaware, an innocent traveler went missing for quite some time before she was found deceased.

For those who have watched it though, we can all agree episodes filled to the brim with information about the Cecil Hotel, Skid Row, Elisa Lam's tragedy, and the events surrounding all of the visitors and residents over the years makes for quite an experience as a viewer, especially when you see it with your own eyes.

As the show explores Elisa's story, the possible contributing factors to her unfortunate death initially mentioned are:

-the hotel itself having a dark energy

-paranormal activity

-illegal drug usage

-neglecting medications that eventually led to psychosis

-government conspiracy

-assault and murder

-employee wrongdoing accompanied by a cover-up

-plain and simple tragic accident

To this day, people still read and respond to her blog. People still theorize what might have taken place during those final hours of her life. It was almost surreal watching all of this. Lots to go through, lots to uncover.

I couldn't help but notice how the general public and social media influencers flocked to Elisa. No judgment of course, I was one of them. I just wanted to explore that a little more out of curiosity. It was obviously captivating to all of us, but why? What makes us get so involved in these stories that we attach ourselves to complete strangers like loved ones? I'm not saying it's wrong. Just wanting to dissect it a bit to see how it works.

So why do we spend so much time and effort getting emotionally and mentally invested? NEEDING to know the outcome, NEEDING to find the solution for someone we've never met. Again, no judgment but perhaps proof that we are social creatures indeed. Moving forward, I have questions.

1.) Do we want more out of life with an independent investigation giving us that very element?

2.) Do we get a sense of purpose and accomplishment from the participation?

3.) Do we want to see justice prevail because we can sympathize or empathize?

4.) Do we feel connected to the subject after being led to a social media account with multiple, honest and relatable posts?

5.) Do we simply just get drawn in by the mystery of it all?

6.) Maybe any combination of all that's listed above?

The possibilities are endless but I am curious about stuff like this because as scary and as jarring as these types of stories are, we eat them up. I just randomly felt like exploring because the way the human mind works fascinates me sometimes.

While the human mind can fascinate me, the human state can break my heart. Seeing all the suffering on Skid Row was hard. I heard about it, but I admit I really didn't know until I saw it. After becoming a mother, I don't see people in the same light. Everyone is someone's son, someone's daughter. Not that they weren't before, hard to explain. It was also heartbreaking to see tourists happy to visit America, and then having rotten experiences if they even survive the visit. Our country has so much more and so much better to offer...

Parallels, synchronicities, theories, conspiracies, mysteries, and... accusations. I felt sorry for the musician who was accused of hurting Elisa because of the ways in which he expressed himself. Sure, it was dark, but are we all killers for enjoying dark books, movies, music, and/or clothing? He had his life disrupted but I hope he finds strength and comfort in each day that's further away from this particular time period in his life. Hope he has moved on the best he can.

What an emotional roller coaster it was! Circling back to Miss Elisa, if the outcome is accepted or not, it was a bittersweet event. Bitter because she's no longer with us but sweet because her writings have reached hundreds, if not thousands of people, helping them to feel heard and understood, simply by sharing her thoughts. What a gift to leave behind for people to discover. Still, I think we can all agree the preferred outcome was her returning home safely from a fun trip, inspiring her to continue to write.

Leaving us all to ponder and reflect in its wake, we finish the docuseries with yet another wonderful post from Elisa Lam.

"Tumblr, I am so grateful I found you. You remind me the world is big and I have a place in it somewhere."

It does feel nice to have a place to express ourselves, doesn't it? It feels nice to be heard and to have a safe space in general. However, we should also strive to provide this to one another in real life. The internet is always great for going global, but we shouldn't neglect the life in front of us, nor the lives in front of us, including our own.

Elisa also said, "We can be empathetic here. Remind people you are human. If you just listen, you will understand more." I conclude with that.

More thoughts later.

[myfrenzi]

Investigating True Crime Documentaries on OTT Platforms

Investigating True Crime Documentaries on OTT Platforms: What to Watch on OTT

Hey there, detective enthusiasts! If you’re anything like me, you love a good mystery. And what’s better than watching real-life crime stories unfold right on your screen? Thanks to Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms, you can dive into the thrilling world of true crime documentaries. So, let’s put on our detective hats and explore what to watch on OTT for some spine-tingling investigations!

Unmasking the Mystery

True crime documentaries are like real-life puzzles. They take you through actual criminal cases, from the crime scene to the courtroom. Here are some fascinating ones you don’t want to miss:

1. “Making a Murderer” (2015)

This docuseries will have you questioning the justice system. It follows the case of Steven Avery, a man wrongfully convicted of a crime, only to find himself accused of another shocking crime years later.

2. “The Jinx” (2015)

“The Jinx” delves into the life of millionaire Robert Durst, who’s been linked to multiple unsolved crimes. Prepare for jaw-dropping revelations and a stunning finale.

3. “The Staircase” (2004)

A gripping true story about the death of Kathleen Peterson, whose husband Michael becomes the prime suspect. It’s a rollercoaster of courtroom drama and family secrets.

Unsolved Mysteries

Sometimes, the most captivating stories are the ones that remain unsolved. These documentaries will keep you guessing:

1. “The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann” (2019)

The case of young Madeleine McCann, who vanished while on vacation in Portugal, has baffled investigators for years. This series unravels the mystery behind her disappearance.

2. “The Case Against Adnan Syed” (2019)

This documentary reopens the case of Adnan Syed, who was convicted of murdering his high school girlfriend. With new evidence, the truth might finally come to light.

3. “The Cecil Hotel” (2021)

A notorious hotel in Los Angeles becomes the setting for numerous strange and unsolved mysteries. Dive into the eerie history of the Cecil Hotel and the enigmatic disappearances that occurred there.

Famous Criminals

Some true crime documentaries focus on the minds of infamous criminals. It’s a chilling look into what makes them tick:

1. “Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes” (2019)

Ted Bundy was one of America’s most notorious serial killers. This series features interviews with Bundy himself, shedding light on his disturbing psyche.

2. “The Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer” (2021)

Follow the investigation to capture Richard Ramirez, a serial killer and rapist who terrorized Southern California in the 1980s. It’s a gripping cat-and-mouse chase.

3. “The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness” (2021)

This documentary explores the theory that the infamous Son of Sam killer, David Berkowitz, didn’t act alone. It’s a deep dive into the world of conspiracy theories and true crime.

Where to Find the Suspense

So, where can you uncover these true crime gems on OTT? Popular platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max are packed with riveting documentaries. They’ve got the inside scoop on real mysteries, and they’re just a click away.

Wrapping Up the Case

True crime documentaries on OTT are like a never-ending puzzle. They keep you on the edge of your seat, and just when you think you’ve solved it, there’s another twist. So, the next time you’re wondering what to watch on OTT, consider diving into the thrilling world of true crime. But beware, it’s addictive!

FAQs

Are these documentaries suitable for kids? True crime documentaries often deal with mature themes and real crimes, so they may not be suitable for younger viewers. Parents should use discretion.

Are there any light-hearted true crime documentaries? While many true crime documentaries are intense, some focus on lighter or quirky cases that might be less unsettling.

Do these documentaries provide closure to the cases? In some cases, true crime documentaries may lead to new developments or even legal actions. However, not all cases are solved or resolved within the documentary.

Can I watch these documentaries for free on OTT platforms? Some OTT platforms offer a limited selection of content for free, but many true crime documentaries may require a subscription or rental fee.

Are there any fictional crime series on OTT platforms? Yes, OTT platforms also offer fictional crime dramas and series for those who enjoy scripted mysteries and thrillers.

[anxiousadequacy]

I’m not doing much today

It’s a Saturday. It’s been raining all day. I’m home alone and mentally wandering between the desire for productivity and succumbing to a desperate need for relaxation.

So far, relaxation is winning. It’s just after 3:00, and I’ve accomplished little of substance. I drank the rest of the cold brew. I made a few bill payments. I finished the Crime Scene miniseries about the woman who “vanished” at the Hotel Cecil in Los Angeles. I ate too much.

This is a rare chance for me to be alone. I could do many things (that don’t require much money), and I’m still sitting on the front porch, listening to the rain tapping on the leaves and grass and tumbling out of the gutters clogged with decomposing plant matter and onto the pavement. Four hours of Fitbit have logged 200 steps. 

Stagnant.

It’s not relaxing. Inconsistently calming. I look out the windows and at the door, as if I expect someone or something to appear. The clock keeps dancing in front of me. It’s 12:10. It’s 12:43. It’s 1:02. It’s 1:19. It’s 1:37. It’s 1:42. It’s 2:00.

I liked the way the Hotel Cecil documentary ended even though it was tragic. It was interesting to hear people acknowledge their willingness to let their minds wander to conspiracy theories. It’s interesting how the human mind craves a better answer for things, even when those answers would mean a more sinister world.

It’s 3:17.

I will get up. Movement. Movement will help. If I keep moving, something might happen. I’ll get something done. I get cleaned up. I’ll go do something. If I make a list, I’ll check off items. It will feel good to accomplish tasks.

It will stop raining, but I’m not doing much today.

[jackryxn]

2023 Watchlist (live-action) ‼️

Movies: 

As Above, So Below (2014)

Narvik (2022)

Avatar: The Way of Water (2023)

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)

The Martian (2015)

The Outpost (2020)

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)

Black Hawk Down (2001) 

Top Gun (1986)

The Little Mermaid (2023)

Barbie (2023)

First Man (2018)

Oppenheimer (2023)

Series:

Shetland [-S05] (2013-)

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan [-S03] (2018-)

The Stranger (2020) 

Shadow and Bone (2021-23)

Generation Kill (2008)

Criminal Minds [-S06] (2005-)

The Night Agent (2023)

The Musketeers (2016)

Burning Body (2023)

Deadwind [s01-02] (2018-2021)

Non-Fiction: 

American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing (2023)

Waco: American Apocalypse (2023)

Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel (2021)

Want to watch:

Bodies (2023)

[stayonmainelisa]

It was through the works of web sleuths that a potential suspect came into the picture. Mexican punk rock, emo singer Pablo Vergara a.k.a. Morbid was suspected of being responsible for the death of Elisa due to his strange nature as well as unusual lyrics and music videos. In the Netflix mini docuseries titled "Crime Scene: The Vanishing at The Cecil Hotel" it mentions that one of Morbid's videos shows the gruesome murder of a young girl as a sacrifice to Satan.

[ensigntaa-blog]

Hi. First time posting here. Few months ago i watched the Netflix documentary miniseries Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel.

I'll be honest: i have no idea how is to live with bipolarity or depression. But i believe i can only imagine after watch. I have ADHD. Maybe is not so serious in comparison to other mental desease (it is a mental deasease)?

Anyone who read this, any person who have depression or bipolarity, let's chat. I want understand what is this mental desease (apologies if i use a wrong term), how people live with them, how to you deal with them

Bye

[miss-vortex]

Mental Health and Los Angeles' Homelessness Crisis: Why "Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel" Is One of the Most Important Documentaries on Netflix

The series observes the devastating impact of mental illness and the stigma surrounding it and teaches us that the dire problem of homelessness in the city of Los Angeles is only getting worse

SPOILER ALERT: It may be best to only read on if you have already watched the documentary series.

"Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel" is not about a cursed hotel. This documentary series is so much more than that and I personally believe that it is one of the most important documentaries to air on Netflix. So many current issues are covered that are generally brushed under the carpet and left to rot and this is one of the reasons why it must be watched.

Elisa Lam believed that experiencing Los Angeles would change her life for the better. She wanted to discover "La La Land". Instead, what she discovered was not the glamorous city she had in mind - staying only a few streets away from Skid Row in a hotel infamous for its tragic history, riddled with stories of death, drug abuse and serial killer lodgings, Elisa was faced with a gruesome reality - that reality is Los Angeles's gaping wealth divide which is only widening as time goes on.

Elisa's dreamy expectations of LA being heavily dampened by the poverty she found herself in would have no doubt contributed to her worsening mental state during her stay at the Cecil Hotel. Los Angeles is often depicted as the city where people go to find themselves - after all, it's Hollywood's home - but the reality is that the city has many more dimensions that are not represented on holiday websites or tourist leaflets.

I have seen for myself only a fraction of the poverty which adorns the streets of LA when I visited in 2019 and what I saw was shocking enough. People are living in tents only streets away from where millionaires sleep comfortably in their high-rise apartments and mansions. A taxi driver told me "The council are building more apartments in downtown LA but it's only for the wealthy. They won't do anything about the problem of homelessness."

This is brought to light in the documentary also and it is clearly highlighted how much the homeless have been forgotten about in the city - for 100 years they have been shoved aside to make space for rich newcomers. Last year it was estimated that there are about 66,433 people living on the streets in Los Angeles and this increased by 12.7% between 2019 and 2020. The main cause of homelessness in the city is too many underpaid jobs and lack of affordable housing.

The fact that Elisa ended up losing her life in a place where she was looking to escape from her troubles is truly heartbreaking. She was incredibly bright, but severely mentally ill, and I believe that parallels can be drawn between Elisa's condition and the way in which the impoverished are treated in LA. Elisa was the victim of bipolar disorder, a mental illness which is heavily stigmatised like many other mental health conditions. Some people might speculate that Elisa should have been more responsible and taken her medication as it had been prescribed to her - and whilst I agree that we all have a responsibility for our own self care, there can be many reasons why people don't take their medication. These can include the stigma behind being prescribed medication for a mental illness and not wanting to become dependent on medication. In Elisa's case, the fact she strongly believed going to Los Angeles would help her find herself may have made her feel as if she wouldn't need her medication once she got to the City of Angels - she'd be okay without it.

But as the documentary demonstrated, the symptoms of bipolar disorder can become so severe that they cause people to do things that are completely out of character and even lead to a person's death. This is why mental illness needs to be better understood and why Elisa could have had more help - her sister mentioned she had had severe psychotic episodes at home previously, so why didn't her family make sure she was 100% safe and well before she travelled alone? It would be wrong lay the blame on her family though - Elisa was an adult after all and they had to let her travel if she wanted to.

The problem of homelessness in LA suffers the same stigma as Elisa's illness in a society where the elite are catered to and the poor are simply pushed aside. A Los Angeles Times analysis conducted in 2019 discovered that 67% of people living on the streets suffer from a mental illness or substance abuse disorder - a direct result of the city's lack of social care for its poorer residents. Just like those living on Skid Row, Elisa felt rejected by society, misunderstood. Her worsening mental health was a product of the same system which has left millions of Americans deprived - a system which belongs to the billionaire class, a system which wants to maintain a spectacular image at all costs, a system which doesn't want to talk about mental health issues.

The Cecil Hotel, too, is a product of its environment. It is not a cursed place in the paranormal sense - it is cursed in the fact that lives have been needlessly lost there through the lack of resources and funding that are contributed to Skid Row. Although the Cecil Hotel has provided many with shelter, tragedies are bound to happen when people are not given the help they need to battle drug addiction, mental illness and crime involvement. The lack of security at the hotel was also shocking to begin with.

These are the reasons why "Crime Scene: Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel" is so desperately relevant in today's society. With the pandemic taking hold of the world, more people than ever before are grappling with mental health issues and the wealth gap continues to increase worldwide. There will be more deaths like Elisa's if we don't start to talk about mental health and more people will resort to living on the streets if we continue to value wealth over human lives.