People Are Still Convinced Elisa Lam's Death Was Connected To TB Outbreak

If you've binge watched all four episodes of Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel, it's likely you were left in utter disbelief at the story of Canadian student Elisa Lam, who went missing from the Cecil Hotel in 2013.

Tragically, Elisa was later found in a water tank on the hotel roof, with her death ruled as accidental drowning. Elisa's bipolar disorder was also found to be a significant factor.

As viewers will know, there are a number of mysterious - and exceptionally coincidental - factors surrounding the 21-year-old's death that to this day remain unexplainable, including the connection to the tuberculosis outbreak, which was taking place in and around the hotel at the same time Elisa went missing.

In fact, fans are so blown away by the links between the two, that they are convinced the connection is not merely a coincidence.

So what is the TB theory?

Well, it is pretty mind boggling. Around the time that Elisa went missing, there was a TB outbreak in Los Angeles, specifically Downtown LA and Skid Row, where the hotel is located.

The theory began online, with users suggesting Elisa could have been sent to LA to test out a new medication for TB, putting her behaviour in the days leading up to her death down to side effects from the medication.

Others suggested Elisa was a "biological weapon sent to LA" but had been silenced for "knowing too much" about the outbreak. In the Netflix doc, it's also discussed how Elisa studied at the University of Columbia, which has a well known TB research centre.

Netflix)

But perhaps the most shocking part of the theory is that the test to detect TB at the time was called the LAM-ELISA test - which has completely blown the minds of viewers.

It's important to note that this theory has never been proven to be anything other than coincidence. At the time of her death, the official autopsy ruled that Elisa did not have TB.

But viewers of the doc are still unconvinced, with one tweeting: "Sorry but way more to this story. Lam Elisa TB test? Too much of a coincidence. Not possible."

Shutterstock)

While another said: "I love my share of conspiracies, but I'm not a conspiracy theorist just like to see the stretch, but the TB outbreak test being called LAM-ELISA and it occurring days before she (Elisa Lam) disappeared is alarming."

"Fine! I'm convinced it was an accident the only thing that I just can't get over is about the Lam-Elisa tb test....like what in the f***?" Added another.

Meanwhile one said: "Can we pls talk about the insane coincidence with elisa lam and the TB test called lam elisa and the TB research at her university and the TB outbreak in skid row??? someone pls educate me??"

Twitter)

Twitter)

Others however, pointed out: "Really nothing weird about the TB test name. The 'LAM-ELISA' test has been around before Elisa Lam was born, and if you google it you'll find it actually has its own meaning."

And another echoed: "Lam elisa is a standard biological test that was made well before Elisa Lam. It is an acronym for lipoarabinomannan enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. It truly is a coincidence. The TB conspiracy is such a far reach."

If you're yet to watch, you can catch all four episodes of Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel on Netflix now.

Topics: TV and Film, Netflix

Lucy Devine

Lucy is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, she has worked in both print and online and is particularly interested in fashion, food, health and women's issues. Northerner, coffee addict, says hun a lot. Get in touch at [email protected].

@lucedevine