Date: Jan 2011

Location:

Multi-tenant residence, New Haven, CT

Investigators:

Jeffrey Messenger, SPI Director

Jackie Zbuska, Investigator

Equipment:

3 Hi-8 Camcorders with infrared peripherals

2 Digital Cameras

2 Digital Recorders

1 Electromagmentic Field Meter

SPI Case Ranking: B-

Client claims:

     The residence consists of multiple families, but all related by marriage. Multiple people reported the occurance of loud banging sounds coming from the upper level, during the early hours of the morning. Voices or whispers were often heard in unoccupied rooms. Taps were often heard on the windows, even when the windows were over twenty feet above ground level. One resident reported an occurance of Phantomania or sleep paralysis. She awoke around 3 in the morning, feeling a weight on her chest and having an inability to move.

     The matriarch of this household was initially unconcerned with the haunting, since the phenomena was mostly benign. She did become concerned, when a psychic friend reported that she sensed a demonic spirit in the home.     

The Investigation:

     Jackie and Jeff arrived at the residence around the same time, having difficulty finding a parking spot. Snow fall that month was record breaking, with snow drifts on the narrow street piled high. Other investigators invited to the case were unable to come.

     After talking with many of the residents, Jackie and Jeff were glad to hear that a large part of the building was currently unoccupied. This was an apartment where the previous tenants were "hoarders," and as a result there was a small amount of debris and damage left in the empty rooms. Yet this was a large area separate from the current residents, and there was very little ambient noise leaking in.

     As the two set up their equipment, a very loud sound occured in an empty section of the apartment. It was so loud, Jeff expected to find a door in this section leading to the lower floor, or an overtuned piece of furniture. Upon looking through the area, nothing was out of place. There wasn't any door or stairwell in this section.  

     As both investigators walked room to room with the EMF detector, each room produced a high electromagnetic reading. The readings ranged from 3 to 8 miligauss, while the ideal reading for any living space should be under 1 milligauss. Strangely, as Jeff held the detector near electrical outlets and light sockets, the EM field would actually drop! Considering the potential dangers this high reading could indicate, Jeff suggested to the client that an electrician look over the abandoned apartment.

     While supernatural activity can generate it's own EM field, it is also possible that spirits can manipulate a naturally occuring EM field. Either scenario was in play at this location.

     As the two toured the apartment's kitchen, Jeff heard a very loud whisper. He immediately asked Jackie if she had whispered, and she hadn't. He asked her if she heard the whisper, she again answered in the negative. Upon later review, the whisper was recorded... on both Jeff's handheld camcorder, and on Jackie's digital recorder further away. Each recorder seemed to capture a different sentence. On  Jeff's videotape, the message wasn't discernible played forward... but played backward it said "This never happened." On Jackies' recorder, set up in a different room, the whisper sounds like "I'm right here." Jackie's recording is indiscernible played backwards.

     Jeff and Jackie continued the investigation until 4 am. They performed vigils upstairs, and downstairs where the family lived.  Neither investigator asked any evp question, nor addressed the potential spirits in any manner. Instead, they engaged in general conversations with each other. Around 3 in the morning, there was a splashing sound like water in the bathroom. Upon checking the area, the team found no running or standing water at all. At the conclusion of the investigation, Jeff recited prayers for their safety, and the safety of the clients. 

     Upon reviewing his video footage, Jeff didn't note any visual evidence of the supernatural. But several spirit whispers were captured. Upon reviewing her digital audio, Jackie also found unexplainable sounds and whispers. Some of these whispers were hostile and threatening, others were outright comical. One threatening evp sounded like "...Can't stand you Jeff. Fuck you. Look around you." Comical evps include a slow "...shut up... ha... ha...ha." 

     Most compelling, as Jeff prayed for everyone's safety, sounds resembling labored breathing (or breaths of discomfort) were recorded in an empty room. These sounds were caught on a camcorder, and a digital audio recorder.

     SPI advised the client that a demonic entity may be wanting to intrude into their lives, and suggested guidelines for their safety.

     The clients haven't reported (to SPI) any paranormal activity since the investigation.

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