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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

Former guests sue Cecil Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles where Canadian tourist's body was found

The Hotel Cecil in downtown Los Angeles, where Canadian tourist Elisa Lam was last seen. On Tuesday, Feb. 19, workers discovered a body in one of four rooftop water tanks.
The Hotel Cecil in downtown Los Angeles, where Canadian tourist Elisa Lam was last seen. On Tuesday, Feb. 19, workers discovered a body in one of four rooftop water tanks.
(
Eric Zassenhaus/KPCC
)

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Two former guests of the downtown Los Angeles hotel where the body of a 21-year-old Canadian tourist was found in a water tank have sued the hotel.

City News Service reports that the lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court by Steven and Gloria Cott against the Cecil Hotel.

RELATED: The long, dark history of the Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles

The Cotts say that on Feb. 12, they paid $150 for two nights at the hotel, and were told the payment included running water suitable for drinking and washing. During their stay, the body of Elisa Lam of Vancouver was discovered by a maintenance worker in the water tank. Lam had been last seen on Jan. 31.

Public health authorities advised guests not to use the water. Preliminary results found no live bacteria associated with human waste.

A representative of the hotel could not be immediately reached for comment.

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