'American Horror Story: Hotel' news: Season 5 inspired by Elisa Lam's death at Cecil Hotel

 twitter.com/AHSFX

"American Horror Story" season 5 is airing very soon and thanks to the series of trailers and hints co-creator Ryan Murphy unveiled recently, audiences are now more excited to finally enjoy the horror stories of the new season. 

According to showrunners Murphy and Brad Falchuk, the upcoming season, titled "Hotel," is inspired by the mysterious death of a young woman. 

"There was a surveillance video that went around two years ago that showed a girl getting into an elevator in a hotel that was said to be haunted... and she was never seen again," Murphy revealed at the "AHS" panel during the 2015 Televisions Critics Association summer press tour, as quoted by IB Times

This girl on the elevator, Elisa Lam, was a 21 year old Canadian tourist who was reported missing on Feb. 1, 2013 and it was only on Feb. 19 of that same year that her body was found by a maintenance worker in the water tank of the Cecil Hotel. For 19 days, guests of the hotel were drinking and showering with the water that Lam's body was rotting in. Although Lam's death was ruled out to be caused by accidental drowning, the surveillance camera in the elevator caught Lam acting strangely, looking paranoid and suspicious, like she was being stalked. 

Also, Cecil Hotel has a haunted past as notorious serial killers like Richard Ramirez and Jack Untwerger stayed in the hotel. 

Perhaps the most interesting part of this installment is that it connects the previous seasons together, which Murphy said will also mean past characters will have an appearance in the show. Cecil Hotel was where Elizabeth Short, Mena Suvari's character in season 1, was reportedly last seen before having been found mutilated in Leimert Park. 

"American Horror Story" season 5 will premiere on Oct. 7. 

News
All Nations Christian College to sell campus and move courses online
All Nations Christian College to sell campus and move courses online

The college campus has connections with the 19th century abolitionist movement.

What is the biblical basis of Ash Wednesday?
What is the biblical basis of Ash Wednesday?

18 February 2026 is Ash Wednesday, which traditionally starts the season of Lent. This is the story …

Lent for the weary: rethinking the season as rest, not religious hustle
Lent for the weary: rethinking the season as rest, not religious hustle

Has Lent just become another self-improvement project with a spiritual label?

Bible Society stands by 'Quiet Revival' research
Bible Society stands by 'Quiet Revival' research

Questions about the study have been raised.