Here are our investigations for the years 2008 & 2009
PRIVATE RESIDENCE - ELDRED, PA
Our first investigation was actually one our own team members residence. Co-founder Shawn Whitsell has had claims of paranormal activity for quite a few years, so this was a great way to start. Being our first adventure, we were uncertain of exactly what to do and how to set up the equipment. The team was breifed on the claims of activity, which included shadow figures, apparitions, sounds, and voices. During the night nothing significant was caught on film, but we did pick up one thing on our EVP.
As Tim and Mark were in an upstairs bedroom, they heard what sounded like someone sneaking into the room. It was the sound of the floor creaking in a matter of someone moving slowly into the room. We got up to see if someone was messing with us but found nobody around. Also when we walked across the floor it didn't creak but instead cracked from the old tile flooring. Upon the walkthrough of the residence, Mark felt light headed in that same room and had to leave.
The other members also had their share of personal experiences. Shawn and Bill were in another upstairs room just asking questions and taking EMF readings. Shawn had his back toward the hallway and Bill was facing it, suddenly Bill caught a glimpse of a shadow pass by a window. Not saying anything to Shawn about his sighting, about two minutes later Whitsell got up and placed an EMF detector in the hallway. Bill asked him why he had done that and he explained he had the feeling someone was watching him. These were two claims that coincided with each other, which is a definite sign of activity.
After all evidence was gone over thoroughly, we gathered together to see what we had caught. One piece of evidence that was picked up was a shadow in a stairwell, this photo can be seen on our photo page, turned out to be nothing. The only real evidence caught was the floor squeaking in the room Tim and Mark were in. Being our first investigation, we decided to do it again a few months later. The results came out the same, we debunked the shadow and had no reoccurance of the floor.
PRIVATE RESIDENCE-EMPORIUM,PA
We recieved an e-mail from a couple in Emporium,Pa telling us they felt they had paranormal activity happening in their home. After responding to the e-mail, they had telephoned us and set up a date for an investigation. Tim and Mark also set up a time to meet them to conduct an interview to find out exactly what was going on. Their claims were ones form seeing shadow figures, voices, and in one instance being touched. We collected the information and let the team know the details, set up the time to meet and what needed to be set up. When we arrived at the residence, we were greeted by the people who were living there as well as the family who owned, and used to live in the house. This was to our advantage, because with the people there they could walk us through and let us know where things happened and what to watch out for during the investigation. While we set up our equipment, Tim went over some details on how we do our investigating, as well as had them sign a disclaimer. This disclaimer states that we are not liable for any damage that may happen while we are there. When you are walking around in the dark, you might run into some things. Once we began the investigation, we divided up into teams of two(2) along with one of the family members or residents. Each team was assigned a room to sit in for 30-45 minutes, longer if they were getting any activity. During the night every room was covered, including the cellar. After the eight(8) hour investigation, the equipment was torn down and we headed home.
We had alot of footage, audio, and pictures to go over. The results were very pleasing and surprising to us as well as the residents. First piece of evidence caught was an EVP in the upstairs bedroom, this is also where the woman had claimed to be touched. While asking certain questions, there came a voice that appeared to say "Get out of this room". Being our first EVP, it amazed us. There were more EVP's picked up in an unordinary place, the cellar. Some say that spirits will dwell in dark places. Though these EVP's were not very clear, they did coincide with our K2 meter. When Tim and Mike C. were asking certain questions, the K2 meter would light up right after. Once again we were pretty stunned. As for photographic evidence, the only thing we saw was a set of Orbs. Now people have their own opinion on Orbs, some believe they are spirits, and others believe they are just dust. Now as for what we think in this case is up in the air. Shawn was asking if anyone was in the room and if they were could they walk by a tree and make it move. He said he would count down from ten and snap a picture. When he got to two(2), he shot a picture. When looking at the digital camera, he discovered there were two "Orbs" right by the tree. So I guess we will just have to leave that up to speculation. All in all it was a great investigation, from start to finish. The people worked well with us and helped us in every way possible. We have since kept in contact with them in case they need us again.
BUSINESS-THE BRADFORD ERA(NEWSPAPER) BRADFORD,PA
One day Tim had an idea for getting our name out to the public, so he called our local newspaper. Turns out they were more than happy to do an article on us, on on condition, we had to investigate their building. We jumped at the idea, and who wouldn't, two birds with one stone you might say. Going in for the interview were Tim, Mike C. and Mark. We interviewed one of the staff reporters, who told us of the claims. The reports included doors opening, uneasy feelings, sounds of money being dropped, and footsteps. The building is about 100 years old and has had a variety of inhabitants. This was a pretty big place, so we had plenty of ground to cover. Being a bigger place meant going about the investigation in a different manner. Instead of sending out one group of two, we could send out all of us in a different location at the same time. We left on person behind to man the TV's and two way radio. We were joined by the reporter as well as two photographers. This helped us getting information on the claims and also a little history of the building and it's workers. Each team spent time in a different location and also switched up groups throughout the night. This gave each team a different point of view and helped inform everyone about the history of activity.
We wrapped up around 3:30 in the morning and headed home. As usual we went over everything and met to discuss our findings. We then set up an appointment to go over the evidence with The Bradford Era. The results: a few EVP's and unexplained sounds, as well as one thing that wasn't caught on film or recorded. The first EVP caught was when Mark and Debbie were in the basement, a voice sounded as if it said "What was that. or watch out for that." Each person hears a different thing. Other things that were caught on our Digital Voice Recorders were strange tapping noises. These were heard after questions were asked. While in a conference room, the reporter said she felt as if someone was standing behind her. She also claimed of being brushed up against the leg and feeling cold on her arm. The one thing that wasn't caught by our equipment was the wall clock's hands began to spin around. Not everyone saw this event happen. We got more than we bargained for in this case, an investigation, a front page article, and a follow up article. We keep in contact with them from time to time.
RESIDENTIAL - RIXFORD, PA
In November of 2008 we were contacted by a gentleman after he had seen our article in our local newspaper. This turned out to be an interesting case. It was not so much a haunting of a home but more of a positve attachment to this gentleman. Events starting taking place shortly after his wife had passed away in 2005 and seemed to happen in and outside his home or where ever he may have went. He was overly appreciative that he could finally talk to people that dealt in these matters and individuals that truly listened and offered assistance, to where friends and family had listened with reluctancy and doubt. Some claims of activity included; finding coins anywhere and everywhere he went, things being moved or hidden in his home to be found later, cards seemingly changing in his hand to allow him to win cards games, hankercheifs being folded under a piles of laundry, and even a chain of events that may only be explained as a form of divine intervention that resulted unfortunately in a death of a friend but saving him. After the initial interview, and all the data was collected we arranged to set-up our equipment one night at the residence and try to pick up any happenings. One main thing that did occur was, while 5 investigators were at headquarters (which was a small room off of the living room) we all distinctly heard female laughter coming from the living room area. All 5 investigators heard it. We automatically assumed it was 2 of our investigators (which were female) who were in one of the rooms investigating. After calling them on the walkie-talkies they were still in the back room and had not laughed during that time. After reveiwing the audio and video equipment it was confirmed that they had not laughed and were not in the living room area at the time of the laughter. We also caught an EVP which sounded like a growling sound and one video camera picked up a glunking and sliding sound in a room that was empty. After reviewing all the evidence and going over all the claims it did appear as if someone or something seemed to be leaving signs or helping this gentleman out as if were the likes of a Guardian Angel. He couldn't thank us enough for the insight and information we provided him.
RESIDENCE - OLEAN, NY
In June of 2009 we received an e-mail from a young lady who resides in Olean, NY. She said that she had experienced some activity in an apartment room that she starting renting by herself in October of 2008. After the initial interview, the claims of activity were as follows. She had a knife fly off a counter top towards her while she was drying some dishes, she experienced a vibration in the corner of the living room on a daily bases, while in bed she heard the voice of a man and women arguing from the living room area, and lastly it was noted that her pets ( 2 rabbits and a dog) acted uneasy while in the living room area. So alot of the claims came from the living room area. During the investigation we covered the apartment room and the basement area. We used 3 infrared cameras, a digital camera, K2 meters, thermometers and digital voice recorders.
While the investigation we had a few personal experiences. We had the K2 meter flicker a couple times when in reference to a Native American. (It was noted that there was an Indian burial ground that was across the street that was relocated and turned into a park). And while in the basement 2 invetigators saw a shadow block out a pilot light on a furnace and shortly after that one of the investigators felt a cool sensation.
As far as debunking we thought the vibration in the living room was caused by a base board heating system. It was cool that night and the furnace kicked on but we were not able to feel any vibrations. We did note that the rabbits vibrated their cage while drinking and thumping their feet. As far as voices we noted that sound traveled very easily throughout the residence. There were people outside talking and it could easily be heard from within the house, so this could explain the sound of people arguing and mabey the cause of th animals uneasiness. We were not able to detect any movement from a butterknife we set on a counter and traced and videotaped.
After all the evidence was gone over, nothing was caught. We had a couple anomolies on camera but after further reviewing one was a dust particle and the other was a hair that fell infront of the IR lens. The client also might have a slight EMF hypersensitivity caused from an alarm clock in her bedroom. In conclusion we did not feel the residence was haunted or pose any threat to the client. There was evidence that suggested that the conditions, such as scary movies and other circumstances inhanced the idea of paranormal activity.
All in all it was a great case and the client was very understanding and easy to work with, and as with all cases another opportunity to learn new things as an investigator. Literature was also supplied to the client.
APARTMENT HOUSE - BRADFORD, PA
In late August of 2009, TRUTH was contacted by a young couple living in an upstairs apartment in Bradford PA. Claims of activity were made in the apartment room they resided in and in the attic area. The following is a list of of the claims of activity. Objects falling off shelves and or being flung at the occupants, pets staring down hallways and the ceiling area, Dolls being removed from shelves, Claims of possesion, a roomate felt as if someone had sat on the edge of her bed although no one was there, a closet door opened and closed on it's own, a bulb exploded in the attic area and numerous objects have been thrown in the attic area, and lastly shadow people and silouetts have been seen.
We used EMF detectors, K2 meters, digital thermometers, IR Cameras, digital cameras, and digital voice rcorders on the investigation. We only had one high reading on the EMF detector which came from a stereo in the master bedroom area. We had no hits on the K2 meters. While in the attic we could hear clunks and bangs on the IR camera but nothing was ever seen. We caught a couple anomolies on the digital cameras but after further analysis it was determined that they were anomolies caused by lights reflecting from our equipment. We thought we had a couple faint EVP's but it could not be determined what was being said or that it was anything paranormal.
We set out to try and debunk some of the claims of activity. In the bedroom the high EMF from the stereo may of caused feelings of uneasiness or shadow people due to EMF hypersensitivity. It was suggested that client moves the stereo to a more suitable location. It was also noted that there were mirrors in the bedroom that could cause reflections and a person to see things. As far a objects falling off the shelves it was mentioned that the cats could knock over objects. As far as a bulb exploding we had the same thing happen while setting up and it was noted that the light fixture was very old and loose and should be replaced.
As far as personal experiences it was noted that a phone fell off a stand and onto the floor, some plates apparently fell, client felt like hair was tugged and the client had fainted while in the attic area with an investigator. It was noted that the Hot water tanks were not well ventilated and this could of contributed to the client feeling light headed and dizzy causing her to faint. It was suggested that the landlord look into repairing the vent pipes.
In conclusion we did not compile enough evidence to conclude the residence to be haunted. It was noted that all activity surrounded the female of the residence. It was thought that it may of been poltergeist activity but the female occupant had not been experiencing any dramatic events or emotional drama that would bring about poltergeist activity. An attachment to an object in the house was considered but the activity only revolved around one person and not the other members of the house so this was ruled out. Then it was considered that the person had an attachment which could have resulted in client practicing in a perticular religious art. It was suggested that the client is careful in her practice and that she demands forcefully for any unwelcome entity to leave her alone and or seek help from a priest if problems increase or continue. All in all it was another good case and a great learning experience.
In late October of 2009 the local newspaper had ask us to do a special investigation of a local cemetery and they would run an article on it. Normally we do not do investigations at cemeteries in fear of attracting vandals. But this was a unique situation. This was an old and historical site and is run by public donations. This was a unique way to bring attention to the site and increase the publics awarness of its condition and reliance of the communities help.
After contacting the local authorities, the investigation ended up taken place on the coldest night in October. Temperatures hovered around 21 degrees F. We set up a walled tent and had a generator that supplied heat and power for our equipment. We ran 2 infrared video cameras and carried Digital voice recorders and EMF detectors. There was no above or underground electric to the cemetery.
Groups of 2 -3 people set out through the site with one person maning the monitors back at headquarters. The site was very calm and tranquil. We had a blip on a EMF detector, some investigators felt a warm spot, and we caught one unique photo but other than that things were quite.
After a review of the evidence we were suprised to find some interesting things. Three investigators caught a digital picture of a white mist by an area were we were told to focus on. They noticed it in the camera screen when it happened and tried recreating it with there breath in the cold air. The pictures of their breath were more of a brighter swirling mist which was much different than the mist caught on the picture. It was unique but hard to say for sure what it was. Also after the blip on the EMF we caught a voice on a digital voice controller after it slid on a headstone. It was a male voice but it could not be discerned what it was saying. Lastly a male voice was caught at a family plot and the voice said "Harold" which was one of the names on a headstone there! It may have been something intelligent.
This was a very fun invetigation full of suprises! They ended up running the article on the front page and it will be a memoriable investigation for the whole team.
In October of 2009 we were contacted to investigate a residence in which an occupant had a uncomfortable encounter with a black shadow mass in his bedroom, causing him to feel as if he couldn't move and he felt scared for his child. This case was personal because the clients were a relation to one of the team members.
Besides the shadow mass other claims were dogs barking and not wanting to go upstairs, feelings of being watched, dolls shaking on a shelf in a bedroom, and clunking noises around the bedroom areas.
After a quick set-up, we set out to cover each room upstairs and the basement of the residence. We also had a digital voice recorder going in the attic during the whole time of the investigation. A thorough sweep of the the house with an emf detector was made and we spent time in each room asking questions trying to catch an evp while infrared cameras were recording. After about 5 hours we gathered are equipment and called it a night.
After a review of the all the evidence we came up short handed. No paranormal activity was caught. After the initial interview we learned that after the dark mass appeared, a family member ran into the room and demanded in the name of Christ that any presence there was to leave. Also there was a possibility of an attachment because the occupants of the house had momentos of deceased loved ones. After the evidence and data review an attachment was ruled out.
So what ever may of been there appeared to be gone now. After watching Taps (ghost hunters) on the SYFY channel, some of their best advice to removing something is to demand it leaves. Unknowingly this was performed and seemed to resolve the issue.
So all in all it was a good case and goes to show anything can happen to people, even in your own family!
In December of 2009 we were ask to investigate a residence in Bradford, Pa. The house was up for sale and was empty but while the sellers lived there they experienced numerous amounts of unusual activity.
Some of the activity are as follows. Black masses, shadows, appliances turning on such as fans, computer and toys. Hot spots were felt. Toilet flushes on its own. Some items fell from the wall. Doors have opened, and a bed shook. Noises have been heard throughout the house and attic area, including footsteps and a ball bouncing.
We broke the team up into 3 groups and each team thoroughly covered the house from top to bottom utilizing all our equipment. Some investigators did experience a few personal experiences such as someone's ear being touched, knocking sounds, K2 meters went off on several occassions and finally a smoke alarm cover slid across a tote lid an investigator slid on.
After reviewing all the evidence it was found that most of the K2 meters hits were caused by the furnace running and there was alot of electrical interference throughout the house. The toilet had a bad seal which would cause the "phantom flush". The wind blowing outside would cause a window to shake and cause vibrations in the bedroom were the bed shook. Lastly some noises could of been contributed to natural occurances caused from within the house.
After debunking some of the claims and considering the personal experiences the residence could not be cosidered haunted. After talking to the client, it was suggested that any more activity be logged and the owner was considering doing some EVP sessions. This may ultimately yeild more answers. It was another good investigation and another great learning experience.