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Search Continues for Missing Canadian Woman Elisa Lam

elisa-lam.jpg
Elisa Lam (Photo courtesy LAPD)

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Authorities in Los Angeles are continuing their investigation into the disappearance of 21-year-old Canadian tourist Elisa Lam, who was last seen January 31.Lam, who hails from Vancouver and is a student at the University of British Columbia there, was traveling alone in California. She arrived in Los Angeles on January 26, and her final destination was supposedly in Santa Cruz.

The young woman was last seen in the lobby of the Cecil Hotel in Downtown, where she had been staying. Much has been made in reports of the missing student about the nature of the neighborhood in which the renovated boutique hotel is located; it is in the Historic Core on Main Street between 6th and 7th, just west of L.A.'s Skid Row.

As CTV News points out, travelers leaving comments about the Cecil Hotel online have made remarks about the neighborhood, such as: “You feel like you’re gonna get knifed anytime.”

The Cecil Hotel has not spoken to the media about the Lam case.

When the Los Angeles Police Department announced Lam's disappearance Wednesday, they indicated they suspected foul play.

In a press conference Wednesday, LAPD Lt. Walter Teague noted Lam had not been in touch with her family, which was quite rare for the young woman.

Tips have come in to the LAPD about the case, but none have proven fruitful.

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Meanwhile, Lam's family has traveled to L.A. in the hopes there is news soon on their missing daughter.

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