Ep 123 - The Cecil Hotel: A Century of Horror
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In the heart of downtown Los Angeles stands the Cecil Hotel, a building with a history as dark and twisted as the city itself. From its grand opening in 1924, the Cecil has seen its fair share of highs and lows, but it's the lows that have cemented its place in the annals of true crime and urban legend.
Our latest podcast episode delves into the eerie and often horrifying history of the Cecil Hotel, exploring the events that have made it a focal point of intrigue and fear. One of the most infamous residents of the Cecil was Richard Ramirez, better known as the Night Stalker. In the 1980s, Ramirez terrorized Los Angeles, committing a series of brutal murders. Unbeknownst to many, he was living at the Cecil during this time, paying just $14 a night. After each murder, he would return to the hotel, often covered in blood, and dispose of his clothes in the hotel's dumpsters before walking to his room, stark naked. This chilling routine went unnoticed in the chaotic environment of downtown LA at the time.
But Ramirez is not the only dark figure associated with the Cecil. The mysterious death of Elisa Lam in 2013 brought renewed attention to the hotel. Lam, a 21-year-old student from Vancouver, was found dead in one of the hotel's water tanks after guests complained about the water's taste and color. Her death was ruled an accidental drowning exacerbated by her bipolar disorder, but the circumstances surrounding her death remain shrouded in mystery. The last known footage of Lam, captured by a hotel elevator camera, shows her behaving erratically, pressing multiple buttons, and seemingly talking to an unseen presence. This video has fueled countless theories and speculations, adding to the hotel's haunted reputation.
The Cecil's dark history doesn't end there. The hotel has been the site of numerous suicides, murders, and unexplained deaths. Its location, once on the boundary of Skid Row, has made it a magnet for those down on their luck, further contributing to its grim legacy.
Today, the Cecil Hotel has been rebranded as Stay on Main, but its reputation as a place of horror and mystery remains. Efforts to revitalize the hotel have been met with mixed success, and it now serves as low-income housing, with conditions that many residents describe as deplorable.
Join us in this episode as we uncover the stories behind the headlines, exploring the Cecil Hotel's past and present. From its architectural beauty to its role in some of LA's most notorious crimes, the Cecil Hotel is a place where history and horror intertwine. Listen now to discover why this hotel is truly doomed to fail.
