MwGh case 0110
Private residence, Reeds Spring, Missouri
We typically do not post investigations which do not yield paranormal evidence/results. However, with this case, we thought it would be a good example of the kind of cases we have encountered many times where a very natural cause could be the reason for what may be interpreted as paranormal activity.....
This home is situated in rural Reeds Spring, Missouri with two main structures on the lot; the main residence and another occupational structure. The residence was the target of our investigation. Client claims include shadow figures and disembodied voices/sounds. The home is occupied by two adult parents and one adolescent, a seven year old male. The home was clean and organized/free of clutter and was equipped with an ADT home security system with multiple interior/exterior infrared security cameras.
Both parents were concerned about the activity their son had experienced in the home and were concerned for the child's safety. Their son claims to have had multiple encounters with spirits and has even recalled various historical moments relating to the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 (almost as a past life recollection). The crucifix in the child's bedroom has been reported to have been turned backwards (wall-facing) repeatedly.
property history
The property where the home sits is above a network of underground caves which are rich in limestone, quartz, lead and (in the past), deposits of gold ore. One of the caves near the home is also host to an underground river during times of above average rainfall. Limestone, quartz, gold ore and running water all can provide fuel for possible residual haunting activity.
Initially, there were claims by the clients that a possible homicide had occurred on or near the property, but law enforcement and county library files show no documentation of homicides on or near the property from 1901 - 2013. It's important to note that records dating this far back in history are often unreliable as not all deaths/homicides were reported and recorded in the early 1900's. The clients provided information that the underground cave network has been rumored to have played a role in the "underground railroad" movement. We were able to locate evidence that supports that this area served as a route for moving materials/goods associated with the underground railroad northward, but we were unable to locate any detailed information that the network of caves were used in transporting people (slaves, in this case) from one place to another. Again, it's important to note that record-keeping was subpar during this point in history.
Our research showed no homicides/suicides, home fires or auto accidents on the property; only a tractor accident which resulted in a death 2 miles from the home in 1957.
The investigation
More than 15 hours of audio, video and photos were capture during the investigation. Every room in the home was investigated with emphasis on the child's bedroom, main living area, screened-in porch and master bedroom. The home felt comfortable and inviting at all times and the central heat/air system was disabled to eliminate duct expansion sounds. Cameras, EMF/K-II detectors and digital voice recorders were placed in all locations to capture possible paranormal evidence.
Upon thorough review of all collected evidence, we determined that no evidence was collected which would be considered paranormal.
Debunking
Midwest Ghost Hunters always feels it is important to highlight that "debunking" does NOT equal "not believing" the clients' claims. Debunking allows us to perform our own "checks and balances" ensuring that any evidence collected could NOT be repeated via natural means; debunking simply means that a natural explanation for the claim exists, whether or not it is the actual cause....when a natural (easily repeatable) explanation is discovered, we consider that claim categorically "debunked" because it's the claims which we cannot repeat with natural means that pass the filter of paranormal. We were able to categorically "debunk" several claims with this case.
The flooring in the kitchen/dining room area (non-carpeted) demonstrates a "delayed recoil" where after walking across the surface of the flooring, the floor recoils, or returns to its original shape a few seconds later resulting in floor pops which sound like an unseen person walking on the floor. We were also fooled multiple times by a beverage mini-fridge/cooling system in the bar section of the main living area. The sounds created by the cooling fluid trickles and mechanical "hums" sound exactly like a whispering conversation occurring (this phenomena is known as "matrixing" where the brain takes a constant sound and forms it into a more familiar or "readable" sound such as a voice). We had to do some serious enhancing of audio several times, but determined that all anomalous audio collected in this area was the result of this device.
As for the "turning crucifix" in the child's room...The cross was made of paper and we were able to get the cross to turn backwards by closing the bedroom door quickly, or by just fanning the door 70% of the time (video here). The BIG issue we located which we believe to be the root of the child's paranormal issues was in his bedroom. The head of the child's bed was situated 6" below a power box in the wall and 14" inches above a floor-level heating unit built into the wall. These two devices were spilling unbelievable EMF levels right onto the child's bed (where his head would lay) resulting in a "fear cage". Children and the elderly are especially sensitive to high EMF levels and the result can be visual/auditory hallucinations, tactile feelings of being touched, headaches, nightmares and a feeling of uneasiness or paranoia related to being in the room (video of EMF meter readings here).
Conclusions
This case remains open and the family remains in close contact with Midwest Ghost Hunters and will be provided with a follow-up investigation at any point in time that they may feel necessary.
Private residence, Reeds Spring, Missouri
We typically do not post investigations which do not yield paranormal evidence/results. However, with this case, we thought it would be a good example of the kind of cases we have encountered many times where a very natural cause could be the reason for what may be interpreted as paranormal activity.....
This home is situated in rural Reeds Spring, Missouri with two main structures on the lot; the main residence and another occupational structure. The residence was the target of our investigation. Client claims include shadow figures and disembodied voices/sounds. The home is occupied by two adult parents and one adolescent, a seven year old male. The home was clean and organized/free of clutter and was equipped with an ADT home security system with multiple interior/exterior infrared security cameras.
Both parents were concerned about the activity their son had experienced in the home and were concerned for the child's safety. Their son claims to have had multiple encounters with spirits and has even recalled various historical moments relating to the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 (almost as a past life recollection). The crucifix in the child's bedroom has been reported to have been turned backwards (wall-facing) repeatedly.
property history
The property where the home sits is above a network of underground caves which are rich in limestone, quartz, lead and (in the past), deposits of gold ore. One of the caves near the home is also host to an underground river during times of above average rainfall. Limestone, quartz, gold ore and running water all can provide fuel for possible residual haunting activity.
Initially, there were claims by the clients that a possible homicide had occurred on or near the property, but law enforcement and county library files show no documentation of homicides on or near the property from 1901 - 2013. It's important to note that records dating this far back in history are often unreliable as not all deaths/homicides were reported and recorded in the early 1900's. The clients provided information that the underground cave network has been rumored to have played a role in the "underground railroad" movement. We were able to locate evidence that supports that this area served as a route for moving materials/goods associated with the underground railroad northward, but we were unable to locate any detailed information that the network of caves were used in transporting people (slaves, in this case) from one place to another. Again, it's important to note that record-keeping was subpar during this point in history.
Our research showed no homicides/suicides, home fires or auto accidents on the property; only a tractor accident which resulted in a death 2 miles from the home in 1957.
The investigation
More than 15 hours of audio, video and photos were capture during the investigation. Every room in the home was investigated with emphasis on the child's bedroom, main living area, screened-in porch and master bedroom. The home felt comfortable and inviting at all times and the central heat/air system was disabled to eliminate duct expansion sounds. Cameras, EMF/K-II detectors and digital voice recorders were placed in all locations to capture possible paranormal evidence.
Upon thorough review of all collected evidence, we determined that no evidence was collected which would be considered paranormal.
Debunking
Midwest Ghost Hunters always feels it is important to highlight that "debunking" does NOT equal "not believing" the clients' claims. Debunking allows us to perform our own "checks and balances" ensuring that any evidence collected could NOT be repeated via natural means; debunking simply means that a natural explanation for the claim exists, whether or not it is the actual cause....when a natural (easily repeatable) explanation is discovered, we consider that claim categorically "debunked" because it's the claims which we cannot repeat with natural means that pass the filter of paranormal. We were able to categorically "debunk" several claims with this case.
The flooring in the kitchen/dining room area (non-carpeted) demonstrates a "delayed recoil" where after walking across the surface of the flooring, the floor recoils, or returns to its original shape a few seconds later resulting in floor pops which sound like an unseen person walking on the floor. We were also fooled multiple times by a beverage mini-fridge/cooling system in the bar section of the main living area. The sounds created by the cooling fluid trickles and mechanical "hums" sound exactly like a whispering conversation occurring (this phenomena is known as "matrixing" where the brain takes a constant sound and forms it into a more familiar or "readable" sound such as a voice). We had to do some serious enhancing of audio several times, but determined that all anomalous audio collected in this area was the result of this device.
As for the "turning crucifix" in the child's room...The cross was made of paper and we were able to get the cross to turn backwards by closing the bedroom door quickly, or by just fanning the door 70% of the time (video here). The BIG issue we located which we believe to be the root of the child's paranormal issues was in his bedroom. The head of the child's bed was situated 6" below a power box in the wall and 14" inches above a floor-level heating unit built into the wall. These two devices were spilling unbelievable EMF levels right onto the child's bed (where his head would lay) resulting in a "fear cage". Children and the elderly are especially sensitive to high EMF levels and the result can be visual/auditory hallucinations, tactile feelings of being touched, headaches, nightmares and a feeling of uneasiness or paranoia related to being in the room (video of EMF meter readings here).
Conclusions
This case remains open and the family remains in close contact with Midwest Ghost Hunters and will be provided with a follow-up investigation at any point in time that they may feel necessary.