Connect with us

True Crime

The Cecil in L.A. Should Be Named “Hotel Blood”

Published

on

The Cecil

The Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles was once a luxury palace for travelers to the city of dreams. But as you will see it became a place of nightmares.

The Cecil was a monument to the sumptuous architecture of the 1920s. It fit neatly among the other opulent hotels that dotted the landscape at the time. In later years the building would become notorious not for its rich interior, but for its terrifying influence on the people who stayed there.

So much so American Horror Story used it as an inspiration for its fifth season.

Pillar of Wealth

Built by hotelier William Banks Hanner in 1924 for $1 million, The Cecil was a popular destination for two decades after it opened. Its glory days were short-lived however thanks to a declining stock market and the stronghold of urban blight that would eventually invade a once-bustling Main Street.

The area was deemed Skid Row in the 1940s. In the years that followed The Cecil’s reputation became one of horror and tragedy.

Lots of people who checked into the hotel apparently had no intention of leaving properly through the lobby. Throughout the years, many guests jumped from their windows, ended their lives with pills or slit their own throats.

The hotel was nicknamed “The Suicide.”

Even innocent bystanders weren’t immune to the hotel’s destruction. In 1962, 27-year-old Pauline Otton leaped to her death from the ninth floor and fell on a 65-year-old pedestrian named George Gianni, killing him.

In 1975  “Alison Lowell” signed the registry then jumped to her death from the 12th floor. Authorities discovered she had used an alias at check-in and never did discover her true identity.

A Grisly History

Suicide wasn’t the only disturbing cause of death for some at the Cecil. There are remarkable reports of unsettling events involving murder and violence.

In 1944 a nineteen-year-old girl named Dorothy Purcell threw her newborn child out of one of the hotel’s windows.

Twenty years later a hotel staff member would find the body of “Pigeon Goldie” Osgood who had been raped, stabbed and beaten by Jacques Ehlinger.

Aspiring actress Elizabeth Short, notoriously known as The Black Dahlia, is believed to have had a drink in the hotel’s bar in the days leading up her gruesome murder.

Serial Killers Board at the Cecil

Serial killers also took to the Cecil for refuge. In the 80s California was terrorized by Richard Ramirez also known as the Night Stalker.

Ramirez, living in the hotel at the time, would throw his bloody clothes into the hotel trash after his nightly killing sprees.

Another killer named Johann “Jack” Unterweger was a journalist from Austria who came to Los Angeles on assignment. During his time at the Cecil, he would go on a murder binge, killing three prostitutes.

The Death of Elisa Lam

Then there’s Elsa Lam. She has become an internet phenomenon mostly because her final moments were caught on camera.

She was on a west coast holiday which she documented via her blog.

When she stopped calling her family to check-in everyday, they got worried and contacted police. The search was on with only some footage from the hotel’s elevator CCTV camera to go by.

The clip taken on January 31, 2013, shows Lam acting erratically, using hand gestures as if speaking to an invisible presence and pushing elevator buttons only to step back out into the lobby acting scared and agitated.

Police were at a loss until hotel residents complained that the water in the building tasted funny and had uneven pressure. On February 9, staff members made their way to the building’s water tower to investigate.

They found Lam’s decomposing body floating in the basin, they were bewildered at how she got there. The door to the rooftop triggered an alarm if opened and that never happened. Also, the cistern was latched from the outside.

An autopsy concluded that Lam had died accidentally with mental illness as the reason for her strange behavior.

Ghost On a Ledge

You’d think with so much death and destruction the building would be a hotbed of ghosts and the supernatural. Youngster Koston Alderete may have caught one.

A picture taken of one of the windows at the Cecil reportedly shows a ghost standing on the ledge.

Name Change

The Cecil was re-named “Stay on Main” in 2011. Thanks to architect Loy Lester Smith’s design and its place in local history The Cecil is a historical landmark.

Although the rooms have been renovated and the lobby given a new life, what remains within its hallways is an eerie history that can never be erased.

You can read more about The Cecil HERE.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

Woman Brings Corpse Into Bank To Sign Loan Papers

Published

on

Warning: This is a disturbing story.

You have to be pretty desperate for money to do what this Brazilian woman did at the bank to get a loan. She wheeled in a fresh corpse to endorse the contract and she seemingly thought the bank employees wouldn’t notice. They did.

This weird and disturbing story comes via ScreenGeek an entertainment digital publication. They write that a woman identified as Erika de Souza Vieira Nunes pushed a man she identified as her uncle into the bank pleading with him to sign loan papers for $3,400. 

If you’re squeamish or easily triggered, be aware that the video captured of the situation is disturbing. 

Latin America’s largest commercial network, TV Globo, reported on the crime, and according to ScreenGeek this is what Nunes says in Portuguese during the attempted transaction. 

“Uncle, are you paying attention? You must sign [the loan contract]. If you don’t sign, there’s no way, as I cannot sign on your behalf!”

She then adds: “Sign so you can spare me further headaches; I can’t bear it any longer.” 

At first we thought this might be a hoax, but according to Brazilian police, the uncle, 68-year-old Paulo Roberto Braga had passed away earlier that day.

 “She attempted to feign his signature for the loan. He entered the bank already deceased,” Police Chief Fábio Luiz said in an interview with TV Globo. “Our priority is to continue investigating to identify other family members and gather more information regarding this loan.”

If convicted Nunes could be facing jail time on charges of fraud, embezzlement, and desecration of a corpse.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading

Trailers

HBO’s “The Jinx – Part Two” Unveils Unseen Footage and Insights Into Robert Durst Case [Trailer]

Published

on

the jinx

HBO, in collaboration with Max, has just released the trailer for “The Jinx – Part Two,” marking the return of the network’s exploration into the enigmatic and controversial figure, Robert Durst. This six-episode docuseries is set to premiere on Sunday, April 21, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, promising to unveil new information and hidden materials that have emerged in the eight years following Durst’s high-profile arrest.

The Jinx Part Two – Official Trailer

“The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst,” the original series directed by Andrew Jarecki, captivated audiences in 2015 with its deep dive into the life of the real estate heir and the dark cloud of suspicion surrounding him in connection with several murders. The series concluded with a dramatic turn of events as Durst was apprehended for the murder of Susan Berman in Los Angeles, just hours before the final episode was broadcast.

The forthcoming series, “The Jinx – Part Two,” aims to delve deeper into the investigation and trial that unfolded in the years after Durst’s arrest. It will feature never-before-seen interviews with Durst’s associates, recorded phone calls, and interrogation footage, offering an unprecedented look into the case.

Charles Bagli, a journalist for the New York Times, shared in the trailer, “As ‘The Jinx’ aired, Bob and I spoke after every episode. He was very nervous, and I thought to myself, ‘He’s gonna run.’” This sentiment was mirrored by District Attorney John Lewin, who added, “Bob was gonna flee the country, never to return.” However, Durst did not flee, and his arrest marked a significant turning point in the case.

The series promises to showcase the depth of Durst’s expectation for loyalty from his friends while he was behind bars, despite facing serious charges. A snippet from a phone call where Durst advises, “But you don’t tell them s–t,” hints at the complex relationships and dynamics at play.

Andrew Jarecki, reflecting on the nature of Durst’s alleged crimes, stated, “You don’t kill three people over 30 years and get away with it in a vacuum.” This commentary suggests the series will explore not only the crimes themselves but the broader network of influence and complicity that may have enabled Durst’s actions.

Contributors to the series include a wide range of figures involved in the case, such as Deputy District Attorneys of Los Angeles Habib Balian, defense attorneys Dick DeGuerin and David Chesnoff, and journalists who have covered the story extensively. The inclusion of judges Susan Criss and Mark Windham, as well as jury members and friends and associates of both Durst and his victims, promises a comprehensive perspective on the proceedings.

Robert Durst himself has commented on the attention the case and the documentary have garnered, stating he is “getting his own 15 minutes [of fame], and it is gargantuan.”

“The Jinx – Part Two” is anticipated to offer an insightful continuation of Robert Durst’s story, revealing new facets of the investigation and trial that have not been seen before. It stands as a testament to the ongoing intrigue and complexity surrounding Durst’s life and the legal battles that followed his arrest.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading

Trailers

Hulu Unveils Riveting Trailer for True Crime Series “Under the Bridge”

Published

on

Under the Bridge

Hulu has just released a gripping trailer for its latest true crime series, “Under the Bridge,” drawing viewers into a haunting narrative that promises to explore the dark corners of a real-life tragedy. The series, which premieres on April 17th with the first two of its eight episodes, is based on the best-selling book by the late Rebecca Godfrey, providing a detailed account of the 1997 murder of fourteen-year-old Reena Virk near Victoria, British Columbia.

Riley Keough (left) and Lily Gladstone in “Under the Bridge”. 

Starring Riley Keough, Lily Gladstone, and Vritika Gupta, “Under the Bridge” brings to life the chilling story of Virk, who disappeared after attending a party with friends, never to return home. Through the investigative lens of author Rebecca Godfrey, played by Keough, and a dedicated local police officer portrayed by Gladstone, the series delves into the hidden lives of the young girls accused of Virk’s murder, uncovering shocking revelations about the true perpetrator behind this heinous act. The trailer offers a first look at the series’ atmospheric tension, showcasing the exceptional performances of its cast. Watch the trailer below:

Under the Bridge Official Trailer

Rebecca Godfrey, who passed away in October 2022, is credited as an executive producer, having worked closely with Shephard for over two years to bring this complex story to television. Their partnership aimed to honor Virk’s memory by casting a light on the circumstances that led to her untimely death, offering insight into the societal and personal dynamics at play.

“Under the Bridge” looks to stand out as a compelling addition to the true crime genre with this gripping story. As Hulu prepares to release the series, audiences are invited to brace themselves for a deeply moving and thought-provoking journey into one of Canada’s most notorious crimes.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading