'Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel': Release date, plot and all you need to know about Netflix show on LA's 'deadliest hotel'

'Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel' is the first season of a new documentary series about the mythology and mystery surrounding infamous locations in contemporary crime
UPDATED FEB 2, 2021
Hotel Cecil as seen in 'Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel' (Netflix)
Hotel Cecil as seen in 'Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel' (Netflix)

When it comes to true crime, we can never be satisfied, no matter how much content we get. Thankfully, Netflix is bringing more of its popular true crime shows and we already think the next one will be one of the best ones of 2021. 'Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel' focuses on what is often known as Los Angeles's deadliest hotel.

Hotel Cecil, which is now known as 'Stay on Main', is a budget hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, built in 1924. The hotel's surrounding area began to decline in the following years, as suicides and other violent deaths on the premises became more frequent. Numerous residents reportedly committed suicide in their hotel rooms, and by the 1960s, the hotel became to be known as "The Suicide" by longtime residents.

RELATED ARTICLES

'Unsolved Mysteries' Part 2: Release date, plot, trailer and all you need to know about return of Netflix's rebooted true-crime show

'Night Stalker: The Hunt for A Serial Killer': Release date, plot, trailer and all you need to know about the Netflix docuseries

In addition to suicides, the hotel's history includes other kinds of violence and disturbing occurrences. One of the most famous appearances at the hotel is that of Elizabeth Short, known popularly as the "Black Dahlia" who was spotted drinking at the Cecil's bar in the days before her notorious, still-unsolved murder.

'Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel' (Netflix)

More recently, a young Canadian student, Elisa Lam was seen in surveillance footage behaving erratically in the hotel's elevator, pressing its buttons, walking in and out of the elevator, and possibly attempting to hide from someone. It was recorded shortly before her disappearance; her naked body was subsequently discovered in a water supply cistern on the hotel roof, following complaints from residents of odd-tasting water and low pressure. How she got into the cistern remains a mystery.

Netflix's docuseries will attempt to detangle the mystery of the Cecil Hotel. Read on to know more details about 'Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel'.

Release date

'Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel' will be available to stream on Netflix on Wednesday, February 10, at 12 AM PST.

Plot

The official synopsis for 'Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel' states:

'Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel' is the first season of a new documentary series that deconstructs the mythology and mystery surrounding infamous locations in contemporary crime. For nearly a century the Cecil Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles has been linked to some of the city’s most notorious activity, from untimely deaths to housing serial killers.

In 2013, college student Elisa Lam was staying at the Cecil when she vanished, igniting a media frenzy and mobilizing a global community of internet sleuths eager to solve the case. Lam’s disappearance, the latest chapter in the hotel’s complex history, offers a chilling and captivating lens into one of LA’s most nefarious settings.

Director

Joe Berlinger

Joe BErlinger (Getty Images)

Joe Berlinger is a filmmaker and producer known for his true-crime documentaries. He is known for his work on 'Brother's Keeper', 'Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills', 'Crude, Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger', and 'Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes'.

Trailer



 

If you like this, you'll like

'Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes'

'Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills'

'The Innocent Man'

'Don't F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer'

'Making a Murderer'

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Chicago Fire’ sees Stella Kidd missing as Severide navigates staffing issues and growing conflict with interim Chief Hopkins at Firehouse 51.
24 minutes ago
Lara Jean's sister, Kitty, moved to stay with her in New York ahead of completing her senior year in Season 3 of 'XO, Kitty.'
1 hour ago
Yuri and Juliana share many meaningful moments throughout the season, all of which come to a head at Kitty's 18th birthday party.
4 hours ago
Much about the plotline for Season 4 depends on how 'Shrinking' Season 3 ends for Paul and Jimmy, and we'll find that when finale airs on April 8.
4 hours ago
With April underway, we offer a quick detail on everything we know about 'The Boys' Season 5.
5 hours ago
In Season 3, Kitty has her heart set on New York University, while Min Ho wishes to pursue a career as an entertainment manager in Seoul
7 hours ago
The latest episode of the medical drama series finds Dr. Charles overwhelmed after a series of stressful events, leading to his eventual breakdown.
7 hours ago
Lamar Odom's life comes under renewed attention, including his net worth, after the release of his Netflix documentary
8 hours ago
The 'One Chicago' shows on NBC are affected, along with other networks like ABC, CBS, and Fox, to air President Trump's live address to the nation
8 hours ago
Kate Bishop faced Kingpin in a fight that didn't have a conclusive winner, but why is she seen missing from 'Daredevil: Born Again' Season 2?
22 hours ago