UPDATE: Feb. 19 - Police have confirmed the body of Elisa Lam was found in a rooftop water tank of the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles. It remains too early in the investigation to determine if Lam was a victim of foul play.
Police in Los Angeles are searching for a Vancouver woman whose disappearance "may suggest foul play."
Elisa Lam, 21, was last seen on Jan. 31 in the lobby of The Cecil Hotel in downtown L.A., said police on Wednesday. They said her disappearance is "suspicious."
Lam was travelling alone but had been in daily contact with her parents until she disappeared, said authorities at a news conference.
"It's been five days, six days now and as far as suspicious circumstances nothing than that, but there's been no communication at and that's worried us and worried the family," said LAPD Lt. Walter Teague. Lam's family stood behind Teague for the news conference but did not speak publicly.
Lam has no history of "any behaviour like this, or any problems like this," Teague added.
The student spent a few days in San Diego before landing in L.A., he said. Lam uses public transportation like Amtrak and local buses.
She had checked into the hotel on Jan. 28 and was set to check out on Feb. 1, reported KTLA.
Lam's private Facebook page said she attended University Hill Secondary and the University of British Columbia. A LinkedIn account said she's expected to graduate from UBC in 2016.
Here's a timeline of Elisa Lam's disappearance:
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Jan. 26, 2013 - Arrival In L.A.
21-year-old <a href="http://www.lapdonline.org/newsroom/news_view/52943">Elisa Lam</a> of Vancouver, B.C. arrived in L.A. on Jan. 26. The University of British Columbia student was travelling by herself.
Jan. 28, 2013 - Hotel Check-In
Lam checked into the Cecil Hotel in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/02/06/elisa-lam-missing-vancouver-la-disappearance_n_2632632.html">downtown Los Angeles</a> on Jan. 28. She was set to check out on Feb. 1, reported KTLA.
Jan. 31, 2013 - Last Seen Alive
Lam was last seen alive in the lobby of the Cecil Hotel on Jan. 31. She had been in contact with her family daily. Her <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/02/06/elisa-lam-missing-vancouver-la-disappearance_n_2632632.html">disappearance was called "suspicious"</a> by police.
Feb. 8, 2013 - Friend Calls Lam "Caring"
Friends called Lam a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/02/08/elisa-lam-vancouver-student-missing-los-angeles_n_2647593.html">caring and conscientious woman</a>. She had been travelling alone in California. Police said her reason for travelling in the state was "unclear."
Feb. 14, 2013 - Troubling Video Released
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/02/14/elisa-lam-missing-video-la-vancouver_n_2688168.html">LAPD released</a> a troubling video captured from the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Zq4LmWiDiC0">Cecil Hotel's elevator surveillance</a> camera of Lam behaving strangely.
Feb. 19, 2013 - Body Found
On Feb. 19, Lam's body was discovered by a worker in one of the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/02/19/elisa-lam-dead-missing-vancouver-body-found-la_n_2719564.html">Cecil Hotel</a>'s four water tanks on the building's roof. They were checking a complaint about low water pressure.
Feb. 20, 2013 - Guests Leave Hotel After Lam Found
A man, left, leaves the Cecil Hotel with belongings as Michael and Sabina Baugh, both 27, of Plymouth, England, wait for transportation as they leave the hotel in downtown Los Angeles on Feb. 20. Early Tuesday, police discovered the body of a Canadian woman at the bottom of the historic hotel's water tank, weeks after she was reported missing. The Baughs, on a 14-day tour package, had been there eight days and had showered in and drank the water. The couple's tour operator was less than cooperative in finding them other accommodations.
Feb. 21, 2013 - Autopsy Complete
An autopsy on the body was completed on Feb. 21, but the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/02/21/elisa-lam-autopsy-missing-la-die_n_2736358.html">cause of death</a> has been "deferred pending additional tests," said Ed Winter, L.A. Country assistant chief coroner.
Feb. 26, 2013 - Class-Action Lawsuit Filed
Two former guests file a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/03/01/elisa-lam-case-cecil-hotel-lawsuit_n_2793453.html?1362186011">class-action lawsuit</a> against the Cecil Hotel after Elisa Lam's body was found in a water tank.
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The Huffington Post B.C. | Posted: 02/06/2013 4:14 pm EST | Updated: 02/22/2013 9:20 am EST