Cops were searching for a missing 21-year-old, Elisa Lam, who came to Los Angeles from Vancouver as a tourist. Unfortunately, investigators believe that her case is “suspicious” and might involve “foul play,” according to an LAPD statement.

She ended up in a sketchy part of downtown and stayed in a Skid Row adjacent hotel, the circa-1927 Cecil, that has tried to cater to Euro-tourists instead of the quasi-homeless that frequent many of the old single-room occupancy businesses in the area:

According to the LAPD she arrived in L.A. Jan. 26 and intended to move along to Santa Cruz at some point.

She hasn't been seen since last Thursday, cops say.


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Lam likes to take public transportation, including buses and Amtrak, according to the department.

Here's the LAPD's description of her:

… An Asian woman of Chinese descent. She has black hair, brown eyes and stands 5 feet 4 inches tall. She weighs about 115 pounds. She is fluent in English and also speaks Cantonese.

Seen her? The department would love to hear from you: 213-486-6890.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

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