Elisa Lam embarks on a solo trip to California.

Despite her parents' protests, she reassures them with a promise to check in daily by phone. She posts on her Tumblr blog, "I have arrived in LaLa Land." She checks into the Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, planning to stay in her shared hostel-style suite for four days and three nights.

Elisa is scheduled to check out of the Cecil Hotel on January 31, but she never does. Her parents grow concerned when Elisa misses her promised daily check-ins. They contact the LAPD, and a search begins for the young university student. Dogs search her room and the hotel rooftop, but there is no sign of Elisa.

Two weeks pass with no trace of Elisa Lam. The LAPD releases the last known video footage of her, hoping it will provide new leads. The video shows Elisa pressing multiple elevator buttons, gesturing to someone off-camera, and repeatedly peering down the hallway before retreating into a corner of the elevator.

Nineteen days after Elisa Lam’s disappearance, law enforcement still has not found her. Meanwhile, guests at the Cecil Hotel report low water pressure and an unusual, dark taste in the water, which has taken on a muddy, blackish color. A maintenance worker checks the rooftop water tanks and finds one of the four 1,000-gallon tanks open, with Elisa’s body floating face-up inside. 

Joining Nancy Grace today: 

• Kelly Hyman – Trial & Civil Attorney (Miami, FL); TV Legal Analyst; Author: “Build Back Better;” X: @kellyhyman1, TikTok: @kelly.hyman, Instagram: @Kelly_Hyman1 
• Matthew Mangino – Attorney, Former District Attorney (Lawrence County); Author: “The Executioner’s Toll: The Crimes, Arrests, Trials, Appeals, Last Meals, Final Words and Executions of 46 Persons in the United States;” X: @MatthewTMangino 
• Caryn L. Stark – Psychologist, Renowned TV and Radio Trauma Expert and Consultant; Instagram: carynpsych/FB: Caryn Stark Private PracticeRobert Crispin – Private Investigator, Former Federal Task Force Officer for United States Department of Justice, DEA and Miami Field Division, Former Homicide and Crimes Against Children Investigator, “Crispin Special Investigations” CrispinInvestigations.com, Facebook: Crispin Special Investigations, Inc
• Mike McCormick – Owner and Lead Investigator of M.C.M. Investigations (Los Angeles); Former LAPD Detective for over 25 years (worked Gangs for 5 years); Facebook: MCM Investigations
• Dr. Michelle DuPre – Forensic Pathologist and former Medical Examiner, Author: “Homicide Investigation Field Guide” & “Investigating Child Abuse Field Guide”, Ret. Police Detective Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
• Hadley Meares - Journalist, Historian, Writer, Tour Guide. Urban Traveler,