22nd Ave North
July 21, 2002
Contrary to popular belief, ghosts are not always tied to the land upon which they lived. Though rare, there are stories of spirits attaching themselves to people, traveling with the object of their affections for days, months, or even years.
In July, the SPIRITS were invited to investigate a family experiencing this type of phenomena. A married couple, Dan and Lynn, constantly felt the presence of Dan's niece, Jennifer.
At 27, Jennifer was near to finishing graduate school. She enjoyed the company of others and displayed strong artistic talents. Though she appeared healthy and happy, Jennifer secretly struggled with her own inner turmoil.
From pieces put together after her death, Dan and Lynn surmise that Jennifer was schizophrenic. In her personal journals, she wrote of hearing voices. She checked out a book on mental illness the night before her death. Distraught with what she read, Jennifer decided to kill herself. She died by self-inflicted strangulation in 1997.
Yet, throughout her life, Jennifer admired Dan and Lynn for living an arts-centered lifestyle. She felt comfortable with them. Perhaps that is why she chooses them for companionship.
Her first manifestations started with Lynn. Shortly after making the trip north to attend the funeral, she found that she knew intimate details about Jennifer the two had never discussed. She confirmed many of them with Jennifer's mother during the visit.
Returning home, the strange events continued. A week after Jennifer's death, Lynn and Dan were awakened by the sound of a doorbell ringing at 3:30 a.m. Dan got up to answer it and found no one there. It was only later that they realized their house never had a doorbell installed.
Certain paintings continually fall from the wall, though the nails are sturdy and the wires undamaged. Yet, when replaced with some of Jennifer's artwork the pieces steadfastly remained.
Others have witnessed Jennifer's acts. She appeared to Lynn's son one night as he rested in the living room. A family friend has sensed her presence around the building.
For purposes of purity, only one member of the SPIRITS team entered the investigation with any of this information. As a standard procedure, the team began researching from the back of the structure, which started the investigation in the study with an unexpected encounter.
Susan, a sensitive member of the team, felt the presence of an old man. She sensed that the room was once his bedroom, and that he had a message he wanted to communicate. The team tried an EVP (electronic voice phenomena) recording in the room, but the recording was too "fuzzy" to show strong results.
Yet, Susan continued to "hear" from the ghost. He had a first name starting with the letter "A" and a second name with a "Bea" sound. The entity died during the administration of the first George Bush. He was an older man, in his 80s or 90s, and he considered the house "his." When asked why he stayed there, Susan felt he was waiting for his son to "cross over" so they could be reunited. He remembered his son as being in his 50s and living far away.
Dan confirmed much of the information. The prior owner was an older man who died in a nursing home around 1992. Dan bought the house in 1993 from his son, who lived in a northern state. The son looked as if he was in the 50 - 70 year old age bracket. Both men had the same first name: Benjamin. The father's middle name, however, started with the letter "A."
Though neutral to the homeowners, the "old man" did acknowledge a frightened woman's spirit residing on the other side of the house. He tried to tell her to cross over, but she refused.
Several photographs taken during the session reveal unusual images. One captures Sandy standing in the doorway with an orb floating near her leg.
The team sensed several EMF spikes throughout the home. In the kitchen, the EMF meter sat on a counter centered between the living room and kitchen. It registered no EMF, yet spiked twice shortly before members experienced equipment battery drains. The smell of lemons accompanied the reading.
The garage held another surprise. Despite the 85 to 90 degree temperature reading, Susan was cold to the touch. She sensed a young woman in the area, about 27 years in age. She felt pain in her left eye, headache, and high blood pressure. She knew that the entity, while alive, was preparing for an appointment, and that the woman was blonde with green eyes.
Later, a picture of Susan shows a small white orb near her torso; she reported goose bumps and extreme chill at this time.
During the interview, corroborative information revealed that Lynn and Dan store some of Jennifer's personal items in the garage. Susan was able to accurately determine her age, and Dan explained that shortly after her death she was scheduled to return to graduate school. The blood pressure, head pain, and pain in the left eye may relate to the strangulation aspect of death. However, during the interview session, pictures reveal Jennifer to have brown hair and brown eyes.
Jennifer seems happy in her current location. Despite her warm personality, the manner by which she died upset family members. They listed "kidney failure" as the killer, and none but Dan and Lynn accepted responsibility for any of her personal possessions.
Remarkably, though two reside on the spiritual plane, the inhabitants of the house on 22nd Ave. appear happy together.
Perhaps this investigation not only illustrates the surprising nature of ghosts, but also the importance of family for both the living and the dead.
<---Orb on Susan.
Note: Susan sensed a presence in the garage, which was accompanied by brief surges on the EMF meter. Though the garage was very warm, and the floor was warm to touch, Susan herself was very cold. She experienced goose bumps. I photographed both when she had goosebumps and when she complained of feeling cold. Please note that in the goosebumps image (below) there is a close up of her shirt. There are no stains on the shirt. Yet, the second image (left), taken when she was tangibly cold, does reveal a light orb image.
Recalled a small EMF surge the bathroom. There were no appliances on in the bathroom. On the other side of the wall was a sink. A small light image appears on the shower curtain. Orb, or tear? Secondary investigation may clear that up.
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This section of the garage was difficult to photograph. My digital camera delayed on the image, as did the 35 mm. It took three tries with the 35 mm before it would shoot. Susan's camera also had a hard time focusing on the area.
However, secondary attempts, made a short time later, went easily, and photographs were easy to obtain.
Susan and Sandy both sensed something in the kitchen. Brandy smelled the aroma of peach shortly before the batteries on her digital camera drained entirely. The batteries were a month old, and had not been used in the camera before this investigation.
Susan's digital camera/video recorder also experienced a power loss, though she had charged the battery shortly before the investigation.
A few minutes after this picture was taken, both women reported feeling a tremor. Brandy's ELF/EMF meter spiked three times to the 8 mg level, though it sat on the counter, and nothing was on around it. One guest of the home owners, sensitive to the paranormal, said that she also sensed something coming shortly before the EMF meter began to spike.
Sandy was particularly sensitive to the older male entity in the back of the house. The home owners did not know he was there, yet the information that Sandy and Susan picked up about the prior owner, whom this entity claimed to be, matched what the current owners knew of him. This information was discerned only after the investigation was completed. Questions were asked before the SPIRITS explained what they sensed in the back room, to keep the answers as untainted as possible.
Thought the scan does not show it clearly, even though I attempted to high light it, one of the 35 mm images came back with a light orb on Sandy's shorts, near her leg. During this point of the investigation, Sandy mentioned feeling a weight holding onto her legs.
35 mm film, color, 400 speed. Note the light image on the wall, near the door. Unknown source. Owner sites no patching on the wall. Reflection? Both Susan and Sandy were drawn to the wall, both reported it felt warm. This is also near the area where the old man was sensed. NOTE: Light numbers in the area of the orbs; not on print. Photoshop scanned several images for me and they do not appear as clearly as they do on the actual prints. The numbers here are distorted dates imprinted from my camera.
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Red haze? Possibly development difficulties or a finger next to the lens. However, this area caused difficulty for several of our cameras when this shot was taken. Susan's camera would not focus, Brandy's camera would not snap the photo for the first several attempts.
35 mm 400 speed film. A series of light red dots appeared in the doorway to the study, where the old man stays. They appear darker on the original photo, which I did show to the photo tech. He had never seen anything like it before and offered no explainations.
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Susan Granby
This was my first hunt and was very exciting for me.
I was first to arrive at the house at about 6:25. As I approached the house I had the distinct impression
that this house is supposed to be green, even though it is painted white. I also had the feeling like the
house was "insulated" from the outside. I knocked on the door and was warmly greeted by the owners.
Soon the rest of the team began to arrive.
I started as I do any and all of my 'psychic' work, by taking off my shoes. I have found that working
barefoot enhances my perceptions.
We started in a back bedroom/study. I distinctly felt the presence of an older man who continually
proclaimed this his house. As Sandy posed questions, I received the responses. We seemed to make a
complete circuit of some kind. I also noticed several spots of temperature changes. It was in this room
that I experienced a headache and dizziness and heard the word "stroke."
After leaving the study, we went to the adjoining bedroom where the shared wall had the same 'hot spot'
in the corresponding location. We took several stills both on 35 mm and digital along with me taping on
the digital camcorder. I did not receive much in that room. We progressed to a bathroom where we did
get some EMF activity.
From there we went to the kitchen and living room. Both Sandy and I felt more hot spots even though we
were directly in front of an a/c unit. Photos of that area did reveal a questionable anomaly (from the
film?). She and I also experienced dizziness, chest pain and a "pulling" sensation in this area.
We moved from there to the living room area. There was a lot of electrical equipment which made EMF
readings uncertain and no unusual sensations were picked up here. In the dining room, we began to feel
an empty feeling. This room was connected to the garage. When we entered the garage we noticed
unusual smells and even though it was easily 90 degrees we felt cold spots and my feet became cold (the
area was carpeted). Here we were able to make contact with the spirit of whom we now believe to be
the niece of the couple who owns the home. I was able to receive messages that included her age at the
time of her death, the year of her death and where she was going prior to taking her life. I gathered that
she was uncertain of why her things were here (as it turns out, there are a few of her things stored in
this garage including a dress which she would have been buried in). It was in the front of the garage
where her things are that I received the most sensation. At the time I did not know that her things were
here or that there even was a deceased niece. She became frightened, and was not certain that she was
dead. We were able to capture a photo of a small orb in that room. She got tired and we ended the
session in that area deciding to return to the study.
In the Study we were greeted again by the old man who talked to us about the last year he remembers
being alive, how he died and when. He was also frustrated with the young girl who would not go on
(Jennifer). After our communications with this man, the details were confirmed by the owners of the
home in the post investigation interview. Again, I knew no history of this house or it's owners. We were
also able to confirm that the house was indeed painted green when the current owners purchased it from
the son of the man who originally owned it. He had become ill (stroke?) and was placed in a nursing
home until his death. I believe that as most people long to return home to die, rather than die in a
hospital, this man felt attached to the home and his spirit returned here.
Overall, I believe that the spirits in this home are benevolent and happy to be here. I also feel that the
owners are glad to have the company of their niece and she is welcome here. I think that as a first hunt,
it was a successful one.
Homeowner correspondence
Date : Sat, 27 Jul 2002 10:05:17 EDT
Brandy,
It was a wonderful experience having you and your group over. I guess it feel so good to have it validated.
We do not have a patch or anything in the study. Very interesting picture.
Please keep me advised.
Thank-You for everything
Lynn
Brandy's report
22nd Ave. North
St. Petersburg
Date: 7/21/02
Sandy, Susan, Brandy present.
Others: Lynn, Stacy, Dan (owenrs, friend).
Lunar cycle: 3 days before full moon
Study: No EVP. Susan and Sandy appear attracted to this room. EVP attempted with "old man"Bea, "A".(Later confirmedBenjamin Arthur H.)
Quotes from Susan:
Navy or fishing profession
Remembers the 1st Bush, early 90's, 1992
Sonlost touch.
Waiting for son
Brandy: goose bumps on legs, cold breeze, EMF "caution" light.
He is Keeper of the house, others pass through.
Been in Florida since 1942.
Tried to get girl to go over. Pretty thing.
He can leave the room. Likes Florida water (an old cologne)
Girl is scared. He doesn't know why she is hear. She won't pass on.
Norwegian last name, changed it.
In the bathroom there was one EMF spike.
In the kitchen we experienced EMF spikes shortly before my batteries drained, and Susan's batteries drained.
Garage: Susan senses a presence, young woman. 27. Susan is coldYoung woman is scared and doesn't know why she is hear. She has not passed on. Susan reports a headache, left eye pain, blood pressure.
Described as short, blonde, green eyes, nice figure ("sexy")
Study session: old man has water blue eyes, slumped over. Died of stroke?
Interview: Manifestations: Lynn, funeral - had to go. Had no idea what she was saying, but knew Jennifer was upset about the funeral. She also knew things about Jennifer that they never talked about.
One night they founds something burning in an ashtray: brown hair, like Jennifer.
Jennifer hung herself by typing a scarf around her neck and kneeling on floor. Had to fight urge to stand up. Slow death.
She went to U. of Vermont, died in Vermont. Her grandmother had a premonition that during their last visit it would be the last time that she saw her. Died. March 18, 1997.
Speculation: Summer, she was to stay with thembut they thing she was schizophrenic or bipolar. She reported hearing voices, and felt there were only two solutions, death or drugs. Chose death.
Garage holds things of Jennifer's. No one else would accept them.
While doing a walk for charity fundraising, Lynn and Dan discussed a song about changing clothes hair, face1 week later, the song appeared on the answering machine, no idea why.
When Dan replaced one of Jennifer's paintings with his own, it kept falling until they put hers back on wall.
CD player goes off.
Curtains fell the next day for no reason.
Lynn, needed $500 to frame a work, the next day a check from Jennifer's fun came to her for that amount.
Garth, Lynn's son, sleeping on couch. Saw Jennifer, with bruise on neck, manifest. Was beautiful.
Dan has seen her out of the corner of his eye. Has smelled fresh baked break and steak.
Jennifer displayed unusual behavior. At her uncle's funeral she dressed inappropriately, mismatched clothing. She ordered and ate 7 entrees, and also spaced a lot. No one did anything about it.
Susan: the blonde she sensed could have been the bipolar disorder, or personality.
Outcome: There appears to be several things going on at this house. Interesting info on the old man, though only a few images resulted. (Sandy, red dots by door: ink or light leak? Very strange. Tech at Eckerds had never seen them before).
Jennifer does seem to manifest herself there. She had a sad life, but appears content with her uncle and aunt. They don't mind having her. Lynn has displayed abilities of a SLI-der before, as did her father.
Lynn dreamed that Jennifer told her that she would stay in this level of existence until her natural life span was up. Lynn was concerned that they were holding her to them, but I do not believe this to be the case. They seem happy together.
Sandy's report:
22 Av North Investigation July 21, 2002
Present: Brandy Stark, Susan Granby, Sandy Bard, the two homeowners, and family friend
Start time: 6:25 p.m. End time: 8:30 p.m.
History:
D bought the home from the family of Benjamin Hartley in 1993 after the house had been sitting
empty for about 5 years. Mr. Hartley died in 1992/1993. At one time was painted green. L has had
many psychic experiences in her lifetime.
Activity:
D and L were awoken one morning at 3:30 a.m. by the doorbell ringing only to realize that they do
not have a doorbell in their home. Several nights later around the same time they discovered hair
burning in the ashtray out in the garage. L smokes in the garage instead of the house and had not
been out for a cigarette in hours. Upon returning home early one day they discovered a verse from a
Bruce Springstein song had been left on the answering machine. L mentioned out loud one day that
they really needed money to cover an unexpected expense and the next day they received a check in
the mail from a trust fund for the exact amount needed. L asked one day if the spirit was still in the
home and the living room curtains immediately fell rod and all. The brackets were still secure in the
wall and no logical explanation could be found. One day the spirit of a young woman seen sitting next
to L's son G on the living room couch. G also reported that around 3:30 a.m. as he slept on the
couch he awoke to find a young woman sitting at the end of the couch. He got a clear look at her
and described the clothing she wore and that she had a bruise around her neck. D and L often see
things moving out of the corner of their eyes and smell odors throughout the home such as different
foods though no one has been cooking around they time of the occurrences. D once saw a young
woman walk down the hall to the back bedroom and the CD player has been known to turn on by
itself with no one around it. They once tried to hang a picture in the spot where their niece's artwork
was prominently displayed but the new work kept falling. The nail was secure in the wall and not
bent so they were at a loss as to why the picture would not stay hung. Eventually they replaced the
niece's artwork and have had no further trouble.
Investigation:
6:39 p.m. Susan reports hot spot inside office door near desk and a change of energy.
6:41 p.m. I felt warmth in the Master Bed Room, which Susan confirmed.
6:46 p.m. Susan reports warm feeling in corner of Master Bed Room by nightstand; floor is warm in
this area.
6:50 p.m. Brandy reports spike on EMF meter in Bathroom.
6:50 p.m. First EVP session in office; I get a heavy pressure in my chest and legs.
7:09 p.m. Hot spot in Kitchen near the ceiling by the microwave/china hutch.
7:10 p.m. I felt a heavy pressure in my chest in the Kitchen in front of the stove.
7:11 p.m. Susan and Brandy report battery drain in the kitchen after we discussed the lime scent we
had smelled throughout the house. L confirmed that she had smelled it, too. All batteries were fresh
and charged before the start of the investigation.
7:14 p.m. Brandy reports two spikes on EMF in Kitchen while it sat on the island counter by the
sink. The spike read "Danger" both times.
7:15 p.m. I still felt the spirit in the Kitchen with us. I believe it to be the one from the office who we
think is an older gentleman. Also, Susan and I both report body tremors while standing in the
Kitchen.
7:16 p.m. Second EVP session in the Office. Brandy reports an EMF spike while Susan reports
feeling numbness on the right side of her face. She thinks it is related to a stroke. Susan heard "too
much damn noise" as we questioned the old man and I felt as if he thought the homeowners and their
guest was interfering with us hearing him. He remembers George Bush being president (early 1990's)
and relayed that he moved to Florida in the 1940's. His occupation had something to do with the sea
(Navy or fisherman?) and that he stayed in the house waiting on his son to come through after his
death. They had lost touch during their lifetime and the old man wants a reconciliation with his son.
He is also guiding lost spirits through to the other side and is aware of a young woman out in the
garage. He states that she is confused and refuses to pass on to the light even though he has tried and
tried to help her. He says she angry, scared, and confused and just won't listen to him. He displayed
his sense of humor when we asked him to describe her and he said she was "a sexy young thing." He
is aware of the homeowners and doesn't mind them being in the house. He has free run of the house.
He enjoyed talking to us and Susan stated that he stood behind my right shoulder the whole time we
were talking. Overall, I think he was generally amused at watching what we were doing and got a
kick out of it. At the end of the session he asked that we please try and help the young girl in the
garage to move onto and find some peace. I think he worries about her.
7:19 p.m. The Dining Room felt "lighter" to me and Susan reported that it "feels like Coke that has
gone flat. All the life is in back of the house."
7:23 p.m. In the Garage the word "two" popped into my head. Brandy reported a moving cold spot
and Susan states that her camcorder will not focus. Brandy reports EMF spike as Susan has the hair
standing on her arms. The word "woman" pops into my head while Susan gets the name "Audrey".
Susan reports sharp pain in her ribcage under the right side. She also reports that she feels the
presence of a young woman who is confused and wonders why she is here. The last thing she
remembers is getting ready for an appointment at college. The young woman wonders why her things
are in the garage and states that they don't belong there. The young woman grows tired and doesn't
want to talk any more so we leave her.
Conclusions:
There are two spirits in the home and upon interviewing the homeowners we believe we know who
they are. The first is the older man that we met in the office and we think he is Benjamin Hartley,
previous owner of the home who died in a nursing home. The homeowners were not even aware he
was there and were surprised when we told them. They were even more surprised when we told
them he was aware of the second spirit and that he had tried to help her.
The second spirit is that of a young woman that the homeowners and we know is D's niece J who
committed suicide in early 1997. D and L firmly believe that J was manic depressive/bipolar but the
family refused to acknowledge the fact due to various reasons. Shortly before her suicide she had
done research on her illness and one of the last symptoms before going completely insane was that of
hearing voices. In her journal J confirmed that she had been hearing voices in her head and very
shortly thereafter killed herself. Though L had never met J she seemed to know every thing about the
young woman and felt very close to her. I feel that J is staying with the homeowners because she
received unconditional love and acceptance from them during her lifetime. D and L have no problem
with either spirit being in the home and welcome them. They simply called us in to confirm that J was
indeed with them.
