Tara Reid defends drugging claim after police report no evidence in Chicago hotel incident

Tara Reid insists she was drugged despite police finding no evidence in hotel footage

ara Reid is standing by her belief that she was drugged during a recent hotel incident in Illinois, even after local authorities announced they found no surveillance footage supporting her claim. The actress addressed the situation in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Dec. 3, describing the ordeal as both “horrifying” and emotionally distressing.

According to a police report filed on Nov. 25, Reid told authorities she was hospitalized after drinking with a stranger at the DoubleTree Chicago O’Hare Airport — Rosemont on Nov. 23. She claimed she lost consciousness after consuming a single drink and later woke up in a hospital with no memory of the previous night.

On Wednesday, Dec. 3, the Rosemont Public Safety Department told PEOPLE that hotel surveillance video does not show Reid being drugged. Authorities stated the footage revealed no indication that anyone tampered with her drink, noting that a bartender had covered the glass while she briefly stepped away — a practice police said is standard.

Reid responded to the department’s findings with a statement to PEOPLE, insisting something occurred that left her unable to function for hours. “No one ends up in the hospital incapacitated for over 8 hours after a drink,” she said, describing the incident as the “scariest feeling” she has experienced. The actress added that the aftermath has affected her mental well-being and disrupted her sleep.

The investigation remains open as authorities and Reid await hospital test results. Police told PEOPLE they are unable to confirm which tests were conducted and reiterated that no criminal act has been established at this stage. They also encouraged the public to avoid leaving drinks unattended.

In the original report, Reid said she had ordered a glass of white wine at the hotel bar when a man she described as a YouTuber approached her. After stepping outside together briefly, she returned to find a napkin on her drink. Reid said she remembers taking a sip and seeing another couple nearby before her memory went blank. She later told police the man sent her videos the next day, which she interpreted as a possible extortion attempt.

Video obtained by TMZ showed Reid struggling to stand before being placed in a wheelchair. Her agent later retrieved her from the hospital and returned with her to the hotel to collect her belongings before she traveled back to Los Angeles.

The DoubleTree Chicago O’Hare Airport stated to PEOPLE on Nov. 26 that its security staff immediately arranged medical assistance once they recognized Reid appeared to be in distress. The hotel did not provide additional comment following the police update.

Reid maintains her belief that she was drugged, asserting in her latest statement, “Something happened to me.”