Body Found Inside Water Tank Atop Hotel Identified As Missing Canadian Tourist Elisa Lam
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A Canadian tourist Tuesday was found dead in a water tank on top of a downtown Los Angeles hotel.
Elisa Lam, 21, had last been seen at the hotel on Jan. 26.
Police and firefighters were summoned to the Cecil Hotel at 640 South Main St. shortly after 10 a.m., according to LAPD Officer Bruce Borihanh.
KNX 1070's Claudia Peschiutta reports guests were disturbed to learn Lam's nude body was found inside of one of four large water tanks.
Guests react after hearing woman's body was found
A maintenance worker discovered the body after he received reports from hotel guests of low water pressure in the building and went up to the roof to investigate the cause.
Peschiutta reported a man who lives in the building said tenants were warned earlier in the day to avoid using the water.
One guest, however, said despite checking in Monday night, she only heard about the water tank once the investigation began.
"I wanted to check out right away," the unidentified female said, adding that while she had not used the shower, she had been using water to drink, wash her hands, and brush her teeth. "I'm going to stay in the Westin [Hotel]."
The fire department said health officials tested the water and found no hazardous materials.
