Actually,  it’s Ectoplasmed by a ghost!  And, contare to movies such as ‘Ghostbusters’, ghosts do not produce slime or ectoplasm.

Ectoplasm is a term coined by French physiologist Charles Richet to denote a substance or spiritual energy. Ectoplasm is said to be associated with the formation of ghosts and hypothesized to be an enabling factor in psychokinesis.  Claims made for ectoplasm are that it is produced by physical mediums when in a trance state.  It is excreted from the orifices on the physical medium’s body and spiritual entities are said to drape this substance over their nonphysical body enabling them to materialize in our physical universe. Most examples of ectoplasm are seen as a mist, fog or smoke-like substance seen on photos.
Although the term is mostly used in the paranormal world, the physical existence of ectoplasm is not accepted by mainstream science.  Some tested samples purported to be ectoplasm have been found to be various nonparanormal substances, including chiffon and flakes of human skin. Other researchers have duplicated, with non-supernatural materials, the photographic effects sometimes said to prove the existence of ectoplasm.

Therefore, a spirit, entity or ghost will not leave any substance or anything else on you other than maybe soiled britches.

Mark Rowland
Lead Investigator
Black Hills Paranormal Investigations

If you are experiencing any paranormal activity and are in need of help contact us at either help@bhparanormal.com or though our website www.bhparanormal.com

Most of the hauntings we hear about are those that are thought to be everyday people. We don’t really hear anything about the famous people that have passed away. Do they stick around perhaps for that final performance? Or maybe because a good number of entertainers leave us very abruptly. With the seemingly common overdoses, apparent suicides, and even murder. Now don’t get me wrong, the average Joe hangs around for the same reasons, but a celebrity may have a much harder time crossing over. I believe due to the fact that they have fans that don’t want them to be gone. Making them feel trapped in this realm and unable to cross over until we forget about them. In reading up on the famous dead, there were actually quite a few reports of celebrity haunting. Here are a few I would like to share.

Marilyn Monroe
She was and still is one of the most recognizable faces in the world. Marilyn Monroe was popular while she was alive, but became a legend after her passing. Although she died in her home in Brentwood, California, Marilyn is said to haunt the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel where she once resided at the peak of her popularity. Nowadays her spirit has not been seen wandering the halls, or on the deck of the pool near her suite. She reportedly only haunts a full length mirror that once hung in her residence at the hotel. Is Marilyn trying to get attention of passerby’s or perhaps still using the mirror to admire her beauty in the afterlife?

George Reeves
Not a bird or a plane, but a ghost supposedly haunting his former Hollywood home. George Reeves was made famous for his Role as TV’s Superman.  And he was stopped by a speeding bullet. On an early June morning, George was retiring to bed when a single gunshot rang through his Beverly Hills home.  Noted as a suicide, many believe he was murdered. Reports of activity include noises coming from the bedroom where he had died. Often times tenants of the home would find bedding torn off, clothes strewn about, and the odor of gunpowder.  Could George Reeves still be in this home? It is possible that he is hanging around regretting his choice of suicide, or even trying to find justice of the person that could have murdered him?

Harry Houdini
Known for his brilliant magic and escape acts, Houdini will forever have a spot in history. He was well known for his interest in the paranormal, and also his ability to debunk mediums and psychics. Before his death in 1926 he had made a promise to his wife, Bess, that he would contact her through the beyond. After 10 years of holding séances, always on Halloween night, Bess gave up the search for her beloved husband. The home that Houdini had owned in Laurel Canyon, CA supposed is haunted by his spirit. But no one has been able to make contact. Even to this day a group magicians hold séances on Halloween night, trying to get a response from the Great Houdini. Maybe someday they will succeed.

And of course, Western South Dakota has it’s own ‘celebrity’ haunts with Seth Bullock and Hooky Jack.

Susan Parsons- BHPI Investigator

If you are experiencing any paranormal activity and are in need of help, contact us at either help@bhparanormal.com or though our website www.bhparanormal.com

As paranormal researchers this is a question we should be asking ourselves on every investigation we conduct. In fact, I believe it is a question that keeps serious paranormal groups headed in the right direction. The question challenges us to ‘Do it right!’ There are many skeptics out there that pounce on any evidence paranormal groups present as possible evidence of a haunting. Sadly, there are some paranormal groups who continue to feed the skeptic evidence that was not properly collected, studied, and presented. Unfortunately, we have seen evidence that has been faked and manipulated just so the group or organization will be noticed.

With paranormal groups popping up everywhere due to the popularity of TV shows such as Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State, Ghost Adventures, and yes even Most Haunted. There has been an explosion of self-made, self-taught, and alleged experts stepping into the realm of paranormal investigations with no real direction or discipline. Don’t get me wrong, I think there are groups out there that are dedicated and disciplined that are following proper protocols when it comes to conducting paranormal investigations, but for every one of these groups, I am betting there are ten other groups out there with no direction and discipline. What is probably good for us, the groups who are serious about paranormal investigations, is the fact these groups tend to disband after either losing interest or fail due to internal struggles over leadership or ideas. I just hope for our sake, their unprofessionalism does not reflect badly upon those of us who take this field of research seriously.

I think one of the things that hurts paranormal groups out there is the fact there really is no set standard of conduct. I know there are a few groups who try to bring paranormal groups together under standardized rules of conduct and investigative standards. T.A.P.S is one of those groups as well as Prairie Ghosts and a few others. This idea of bringing groups together in this way is positive and will only benefit the field in the long run.

The problem I see is the fact that there is nothing that compels any paranormal investigative group that starts up to adhere to any form of professional standards. There is no governing body that oversees training or certification, or even discipline if a client complains about a group. If a couple friends get together after watching some paranormal shows on TV and think they could do that, go out buy a few items and then go out traipsing around in a cemetery and then advertise themselves as seasoned investigators, does not give me a fuzzy feeling. On the other hand, paranormal groups who have set up strong standards for themselves and enforce those standards with their members as well as mandate some form of training for new members are most likely the only groups who will tend to be successful. And, I think the clients who contact a group with these standards will feel better about their choice as well.

I had always told myself that doing this work was nothing more than having an expensive hobby, but I have come to change my outlook. I was speaking to our lead investigator the other day and he and I had always made comments about this being a hobby, but this thinking is what stymies investigative groups. We can’t make any progress if we continue in this thought process. I believe this was a “ahh haa” moment in our groups development. Our team has always sweated blood over any evidence we captured and reviewed it forwards, backwards, upside down, and inside out. We would go back to where the evidence was captured to find any other reason for the evidence. If we found a rational explanation, we threw out the evidence as explainable. If we could find no explanation other than paranormal, then as a team we deem the evidence to be paranormal in nature.

I know there are some very good paranormal investigative teams out there that are making progress, those are the teams that make amazing discoveries in the paranormal field and some day, will unravel the mystery of the paranormal. However, to make progress, we need to get serious and stop looking at what we do as a hobby, and set up strong standards for ourselves.

Until next time, be safe out there.
Mark Shadley- BHPI Investigator

If you are experiencing any paranormal activity and are in need of help contact us at either help@bhparanormal.com or though our website www.bhparanormal.com