Uncovering the Top 10 Horrible Facts About the Cecil Hotel: The Chilling History of a Los Angeles Landmark

The Cecil Hotel has been a fixture of downtown Los Angeles for most of the twentieth century. Yet, despite its long and storied history, few people know about the dark events that have taken place there over the years. This landmark Los Angeles establishment is home to many dark secrets, and in this article, we will explore some of the worst facts from the Cecil’s past.

Fact #1 – It Has Been the Site of Several Murders

One of the first and perhaps worst facts about the Cecil Hotel is that it has seen its fair share of murders over the years. In 1964, an elderly woman named Goldie Osgood was murdered in her room at the hotel. She had become known as the “Pigeon Lady of Pershing Square” due to her habit of feeding birds outside of her room window. Despite the police’s best efforts, they were unable to find her killer.

In 1985, another murder took place at the hotel. A 22-year old prostitute named Elisa Lam disappeared after entering the Cecil Hotel alone. Her body was discovered weeks later in one of the hotel’s rooftop water tanks. The case was highly publicized, though her killer was never found.

Fact #2 – It Was Home to Notorious Serial Killer Richard Ramirez

The Cecil Hotel also served as a base of operations for serial killer Richard Ramirez during his killing spree in 1985. Ramirez lived at the Cecil Hotel while he killed 13 women throughout Los Angeles, using the hotel’s easy access to public transportation to travel to and from his victims. As if this wasn’t bad enough, Ramirez would later brag to his jail cellmates that he could have killed even more women if he had stayed at the Cecil longer.

Fact #3 – A Documentary About the Hotel Is Based on True Events

The Cecil Hotel has been featured in several documentaries, most notably “Cecil Hotel: A Haunted History” in 2016. This documentary explores the hotel’s chilling past, and contains interviews with several former tenants and employees. It paints a vivid picture of the hotel’s grim past, and is a must-watch for anyone looking to learn more about the Cecil’s sinister origins.

Fact #4 – There Have Been a Number of Suicides

Another fact about the Cecil Hotel is that it has also seen multiple suicides throughout the years. In 1962, a man by the name of Pauline Otton jumped out of a ninth floor window of the hotel, killing herself in the process. Another suicide occurred in 2013 when a Canadian tourist named Elisa Lam used a chair to reach the roof of the building before jumping into one of the hotel’s water tanks.

Fact #5 – It Inspired American Horror Story: Hotel

The Cecil Hotel might be better known now due to its appearance in American Horror Story: Hotel. This popular horror series was inspired by the real-life events that took place in the hotel, particularly the Elisa Lam case. The show featured many of the same characters and locations from the actual events, which made for an eerie viewing experience.

Fact #6 – The Hotel Was Used as a Shooting Location for Multiple Films

The Cecil Hotel has also appeared in numerous films over the years. In 1973, it served as the shooting location for the cult classic film The Exorcist. It was later used as a setting for the thriller Hard Core in 1977and the horror movie Bats in 1999.

Fact #7 – It Was Home to the Night Stalker

On top of being home to Richard Ramirez, the Cecil Hotel was also briefly the home of the infamous “Night Stalker,” serial murderer and rapist Richard Ramirez. After being released from prison in 1988, Ramirez moved back into the Cecil Hotel and stayed there for two months before being arrested again.

Fact #8 – It Has a Haunting Past

The Cecil Hotel has been haunted since its early days. Many former tenants have reported seeing strange figures in the hallways, hearing mysterious voices, and witnessing other paranormal activity. With such a tragic and violent history, it’s no wonder the Cecil Hotel has become a hotbed of spectral activity.

Fact #9 – It Has Seen Numerous Other Violent Crimes

In addition to the terrible murders that have occurred at the Cecil Hotel, there have been several other instances of violence in the hotel’s past. In 1939, a woman was murdered by her husband in her room at the hotel. In 1947, a guest was killed by another guest over a gambling dispute. And in 1967, a guest was stabbed to death in the lobby.

Fact #10 – The Hotel Has a Creepy Reputation

Finally, the Cecil Hotel has gained a reputation for being creepy and dangerous. Many locals avoid the hotel, and visitors are often warned away from staying there due to its various crimes and spooky atmosphere.

Conclusion

The Cecil Hotel is not only a landmark of Los Angeles, but a place steeped in tragedy, violence, and mystery. These dark facts from the Cecil’s past are sure to leave you feeling uneasy, yet they are an important reminder of the dangers that lurk behind the walls of this storied hotel.