Investigation Under Way Into Death at Millenium Biltmore Hotel

The death of a woman who fell down a stairwell at the Millenium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles was under investigation Monday, police said.

Laura Finley, 48, of Alta Loma, died at 8:25 a.m. Saturday, said Los Angeles County coroner's Investigator McCracken, who refused to give her first name.

The cause of death was "deferred" after the body was examined Sunday, she said.

Police were tight-lipped, but confirmed a death at the hotel was under investigation, and it was undetermined whether it was a homicide, accident or possible suicide.

A hotel spokesperson was unavailable for comment early Monday.

A Biltmore guest told City News Service police were "crawling all over" the high-rise hotel Saturday, and that they would not tell guests why, but that there was a rumor that a woman had fallen down a stairwell -- possibly from the 11th floor to the third floor -- and died.

Adding to the unusual atmosphere at the hotel over the weekend, auditions for the TV show "America's Got Talent" were held at there, and people were breaking into song and rehearsing their acts as they milled about the premises, the guest said.