Ghost Adventures – Crisis in Oakdale – S17E03
The next investigation takes place in Oakdale, California, where Zak meets with Karon, a woman who feels a dark cloud of tragedy hangs over her head. Karon explains that her son recently took his own life in the house. Previously, Karon’s fiancé, who lived in the house, was found strangled, believed to be suicide. Additionally, her mother, also died of suicide. Finally, her grandmother was institutionalized for talking with the dead. It’s also explained that the first owner of the house, was killed in an accident on the Colorado river. The link? An evil house.
Karon feels her son’s energy is still in the house as people get touched, doors close, and there is a presence as though something is trying to attach itself. Karon’s daughters also feel an energy within the house. The claim to have darker experiences such as the feeling of overwhelming anger, and that Don was prone to fits of violence for no reason. Both daughters and Karon explain they have had violent nightmares and visions of rotting people.
Both Michael and Don were known to say they needed to get out of the house as though something were driving them away.
The investigation starts in the usual way with Aaron saying he doesn’t feel well and that his heart is racing. This is followed by feeling a cold spot surrounding them. On the stairs they get a spirit box voice saying, “can you help” while Zak says something touched him on the butt. Oddly, a door that no one can see closes on it’s own.
Because of the spirit box, Karon is brought in. She claims the voice is Michael and admits that she told her son to touch Zak on the butt. An odd request.
They claim to get the word, “mom” which Karon claims is her son Michael speaking. When they head to the bathroom where Michael took his life, they feel a cold spot.
Chris Fleming comes in and immediately feels anxious. He feels the spirit of both Michael and Don. But there is more to this story.
Chris says he can see Michael walking around the house, which they feel is confirmed by the sounds of footsteps. In addition to Michael, there is a female presence. Karon concludes this is her mother. Chris feels Don is a dark presence and won’t let Michael leave. The female spirit is helping Michael.
As Zak checks out the room with the SLS camera, he gets a stick figure trying to hit Chris. The is followed by the front door, closing on it’s own.
After checking out the door, they head to the top of the stairs and are overwhelmed by a blast of negative energy. No surprise, Billy says he’s going to pass out and bolts out from the house. Aaron is writhing on the floor, struggling with the pain.
On the spirit sweep device they get, “It hurts when I”, “one time” and “I’m human”. Then an odd phrase of “dimension disrespected”, which confirms the device spits out gibberish on a regular basis.
Finally, as we get to the end, and to prove there is negative energy in the house, Zak lashes out, grabs a camera and throws it down. Oddly, no one seems startled or scared by his tantrum. “Yep, there’s goes Zak breaking stuff again.”
There is no doubt Karon has suffered through several tragic events. However, suicide is not the work of dark spirits. Some may call them demons, but they are the demons of mental illness or overwhelming depression. While Karon says Don was angry but had a heart of gold, it sounds like he had some anger issues, mental problems, or another condition that should have been diagnosed and treated.
We also have the very real crime of what sounds like child molestation. It wasn’t the demons that drove Michael to do something so terrible, it was the shame, guilt, anger, or even threat of what may have happened to him.
This family needs counseling, it needs mental health guidance, and there needs to be some investigation into some earthly crimes. Don sounds like he has his own problems, and who knows how else they manifested. Instead of blaming “the devil”, get some help and get closure through justice before someone else gets hurt.
Ghost Adventures – Westerfield Hotel – S17E02
For the next investigation, Zak visits the Westerfield Hotel, a location with a “demonic infestation” due to visitors such as Anton LaVey, Kenneth Anger, Bobby Boselie and Charles Manson. The first two being associated with Satanism, the latter with murder.
Rituals were conducted in the tower and were even filmed for some highly dramatized and most likely drug induced footage. There are claims that portals to Hell were opened inside the house and Zak believes he was drawn to this house because he bought a model doll house of the Westerfield Hotel from an antique shop.
They speak with Kenneth Anger who says they performed “summoning ceremonies”, and that they were “calling for entities.” Zak is chomping at the bit for Ken to say they tried to conjure up the Devil and that he “created a residence for Satan himself.”
Zak steers the conversation to Ken and his affinity for the works and beliefs of Aleister Crowley. We also hear about how those with substance abuse problems fall victim to the darkness of the house.
At this point, Zak has done everything he can to whip up the cliche and hysteria of the “Satanic Panic.” To tap into this darkness, he and Jay will perform their own ritual in the tower, to “open the gates” (of Hell?), but rest assured, when they perform conjuring it’s not black magic, Satanic or Devil Worship. Even though reading from a book of ancient Sumerian text is too dangerous to acknowledge or allow the words to be captured on audio, rest assured, this is merely in the name of research and exploration. Funny how he doesn’t see that for anyone else.
As they get started, they hear the usual creaks, bangs, pops and the sound of footsteps associated with an old house. They also hear clicks and burps on their walkie-talkies, which are the demonic entities trying to make their presence known. We even get the declaration of a cold spot and a sighting of Anton LaVey.
Their conjuring must be working because the Talking EVP throws out the word “Rage.” It should come as no surprise that right after, both Zak and Aaron act like they’re being taken over by some sort of unseen force. At least we don’t have the previous throwing of devices or punching of firsts into the wall.
Aaron leaves the room to investigate downstairs, but claims he is stopped on the stairs by an invisible wall. Since it’s invisible and can’t be recorded, we have to take Aaron’s word for it.
Meanwhile, on the Spirit Box, a demonic conversation is heard. One voice asks, “What do you want?” Another answers with, “you.”
After heading back upstairs, Jay and Aaron both claim to see a shadow figure atop the tower which is supposed to concentrate the spiritual energy. The hacked up SLS camera confirms there is a stick figure afoot. But it’s not just a stick figure, it’s a goat figure. No wait, is a three legged creature. No wait, it’s pouring stuff on Jay’s head.
We finally have a disoriented Jay trying to leave the tower, yet there is another unforeseen force blocking his path. Not only is this powerful entity stopping Jay from walking in a straight line, it’s capable of knocking over a camera placed on a tripod. Then again, it could have been gravity. Or gravity and a faulty camera leg. Or a camera placed on a bad angle.
While the history of the house is intriguing, they certainly don’t capture anything that lives up to the “demonic infestation” and “residence for Satan.” Ironically, LaVey didn’t believe in a God or a Satan. They were merely symbolic and the antithesis of other religious beliefs. It’s not worth getting into a debate about such things, but it’s pretty obvious Zak latched on to a few keywords and ideas and tried to whip up the flames of panic as much as he could. Too bad his evidence doesn’t support anything of the sort.
Other Articles of Interest:
- Ghost Adventures – Fear Factory – S09E05
- Ghost Adventures Halloween Special – Ireland’s Celtic Demons
- Ghost Adventures – Dakotas Sanatorium of Death – S13E12
- Ghost Adventures – Nevada State Prison – S12E10
- Ghost Adventures – Wolf Creek Inn – S15E13
- Ghost Adventures – The Domes of Casa Grande – S12E09
- Ghost Adventures – Kays Hollow – S16E09
- Ghost Adventures – The Slaughter House – S15E17
- Ghost Adventures – Tor House – S07E10
- Ghost Adventures – Sin City Exorcism – S15E15
Ghost Adventures – Idaho State Reform School – S17E01
With the Graveyard of the Pacific behind them, Zak, Aaron, Jay and Billy kick off another season with a visit to the Idaho State Reform School, which has now been converted into family living.
The original Idaho Industrial Reform School was established in 1903 and was home to many wayward youth. Like so many other facilities of the time, it’s safe to say this one did more harm than good. With allegations of abuse, mistreatment, and even deaths, the school was ultimately closed. However, on the grounds are 20 graves and at least one report of suicide by a girl who was 14.
Zak talks to Barrett and Demi, who have a few stories to tell, one of which involves bite marks on Demi’s arms. Barrett introduces his brother Magnum, who apparently has a close relationship with a few spirits, including one that has taken up residence in his room. “She” protects him from the spirits in the infirmary, the building next door, because they are mean to Magnum.
The story of spirits in the infirmary is also discussed by the Gould family who used to live there. But it’s not just a shadowy figures or a mass darting around the corner, the sisters claim they used to play with the ghost girl as though she were a real child. And when one of kids got locked in a cupboard, the ghost of a doctor was the one who undid the latch and let her out.
For the investigation, Zak tries to make contact with Hope, the girl who committed suicide, by bringing her some candy. Aaron seems rather moved and gives Hope a heart felt “thank you” for watching over Magnum and keeping the mean sprits away from him.
While Hope doesn’t take any candy, the SLS camera picks up a stick figure against the wall for just a moment. To go along with her appearance on the hacked up camera, they get the words, “Happened”, “Touch” and “Sing” on the Ovilus. The first two words don’t paint a good picture.
As Aaron moves on to investigate on his own, he gets “Girl”, “Female” and “Electric”. This last coincides with the power drains they begin to experience on their equipment. At least we don’t have Billy freaking out and yelling in frustration.
To get a feel for what it’s like to be in the isolation room, Zak tricks Aaron into going in, then locks the door. Not only was this an ass thing to do, it locked Aaron in as there is no way to open the door from the other side.
Zak ditches Aaron and goes to investigate the infirmary. He and Billy get “we’re back” and a set or orbs. There is a lot of focus on orbs these days.
Feeling he needs to check on Aaron, Zak ditches Billy, who doesn’t want to stay in the building by himself even though he’s a grown man. Aaron has a bit of revenge as he absolutely scares the hell out of Zak, who more than likely soiled his pants, when Aaron jumps at the door and fills the room with his maniacal laughter. Zak also describes a light anomaly creeping along the wall just before he gets to Aaron.
In the infirmary, Billy starts to feel something is around him. Like episodes before, he starts to feel angry and frustrated. While he doesn’t lash out and throw equipment he’s letting the place get to him.
As a final shot, Billy captures another light anomaly on his phone that hovers for several seconds. Not sure why he had to use his phone, but that’s the way it worked out.
It would be hard to argue that life at the school was not pleasant, the “pure terror created by man” as Zak put it, really doesn’t present itself. For two buildings full of spirits, with at least one that’s a biter, the evidence and experiences are almost non-existent.
Other Articles of Interest:
- Ghost Adventures – Nevada State Prison – S12E10
- Ghost Adventures – The Viper Room – S14E10
- Ghost Adventures – Hotel Leger – S16E05
- Ghost Adventures – The Alley of Darkness – S16E02
- Ghost Adventures – Albion Normal School – S15E09
- Ghost Adventures – Asylum 49 – S14E11
- Ghost Adventures – Wolf Creek Inn – S15E13
- Ghost Adventures – Commanders House – S16E12
- Ghost Adventures – Crazy Town – S07E13
- Ghost Adventures – Return to the Riviera – S12E04
Ghost Adventures – The Haunted Museum Live – Halloween Edition
It’s been nearly a decade since the last live investigation that was wrought with dubious actives and evidence collected, but Zak and the team are back, under more controlled conditions, to investigate his own haunted museum. They will investigate some of the most haunted and cursed items his museum has to offer including, Lilly the Haunted Doll, the Mirror of Bela Lugosi, artifacts from the Demon House, Peggy the Doll, the Dybbuk Box and even a chat with the Zozo Demon.
On hand is a bevy of guests including, Chris Fleming – Paranormal Expert and Medium, Michael and Marti Parry – Medium and Psychic Artist, Patti Negri – Psychic Medium, Darren Evans – Self-styled Demonologist, Gary Galka – Paranormal Inventor and Engineer, and Bryan Ouellette and Sister Mary – Holy Nicholas Catholic Church, with each taking a turn on the catwalk to look as sinister and foreboding as they can muster.
Besides the guests we have seen on past episodes, we get to hear from some of the employees at the museum. Many tell of strange experiences and events that have transpired on guided tours and after hours. Some claim to hear voices and see shadows. Some say they have been scratched, given nose bleeds and even burned.
Mind you, this is Zak’s museum, a place he has spent millions putting together and collecting for. It’s also a place he has total control over. Are we really expecting anything other than Zak to say it’s haunted? That would hurt ticket sales and make him look silly.
Things start off in the Oddities Room and Lilly the Haunted Doll. Lilly is supposedly inhabited by a strong spirit and was so dangerous she was originally sold off from an antiques store to a young girl. Now she resides at the Haunted Museum and to protect onlookers, the evil is contained by a sheet of glass.
We are treated to Zak taking Lilly out and holding her for the first time. While some may gasp in shock and horror at his bravado and tempting fate, nothing else happens and despite the claims and the human hair atop her crown, Lilly proves to be silent like other dolls.
Next up is the Art Gallery where Dakota confronts the evil image and demonic forces contained within a mirror from a home Bela Lugosi used to own. Despite the claims, there is no evidence Lugosi personally used this mirror or practiced the art of scrying. With all the Hollywood gossip, there is no existence of that story.
But the last time this mirror was unveiled, people became weak in the knees and collapsed to the floor like a sack of potatoes. To see if history repeats itself, Zak leaves Dakota alone with the mirror, telling him to stare deeply into the abyss to see if he can make contact with the negative energy trapped inside.
However, is that what really happened? When we return to the room, the mirror is perfectly covered and Dakota is many steps away. It doesn’t look like he paid attention to the mirror at all. Despite this, both Dakota and Zak say things are active, there is energy and they should be somewhere else.
A fun (not) twist to the evening is the addition of Lady Snake, who’s been down in the basement conjuring all day. She won’t say what she’s been up to, or what she let is, but instead acts like a 5 year old who’s peed in the pool and laughs at everyone swimming in it. She keeps repeating, “it’s a candy shop” and giggles.
The battle between light and dark, good and evil is just beginning, as the often jittery and disoriented Patti Negri shows up on the scene. Zak brings these formidable opponents together and what ensues is some of the worst dialog and acting I have ever witnessed.
Moving on to the next cursed item, we have the most dangerous wine cabinet in history, the Dybbuk Box. It supposedly contains pure evil, was once buried in a secret location, then sold on eBay before coming to Zak. We are witness to great angst and personal turmoil as Zak wrestles with himself over whether or not he should open the box.
Zak wants to open the box, but can’t bring himself to do it. Aaron wants to open the box, but doesn’t know why. Lady Snake even taunts Zak to open the box stating it can’t be worse than what she’s already done.
They struggle, they resist, they nearly give in, they regain their sense, they shake their fists in madness and frustration, they storm from the room only to return moments later. In the end, despite all the anticipation, build up, and faux anxiety, Zak decides not to open the box despite the fact he took the glass case off. Good thing a ring of salt protects the world from the wrath of pure evil.
Speaking of pure evil, it’s time to visit the set of Demon House. This is the home where over 200 evil entities were claimed to take up residence. In fact, the house was so haunted Zak made a movie about it, then destroyed the place. Except not all of it. He held a little back to exhibit at his museum.
Tagging along to tell the tale of how dangerous the place is, we have Chris Fleming. With a Spirit Box that barely spits out a word, Chris describes how bad the Demon House was in vague details, except for the 12 foot demon walking around.
Again, the location was so dangerous and most likely had entities attached to the very fabric of the house, that they decided to bring parts of it back and put it in display. But this time, no glass to keep the spirits in check. The stairs and the pure demonic energy are completely exposed and for a small fee, you can cast your gaze upon it.
It’s now time to visit Peggy the Doll, a doll so haunted she can cause nosebleeds just by making eye contact. Several employees describe people getting sick, having car accidents, nose bleeds and even heart attacks because they looked into her eyes. She’s even told people to die when they ask how she’s doing-through a Spirit Box of course. In fact, she is so dangerous she only needs half a sheet of glass to contain the negative energy festering inside her.
Staysha and Shealee, who keep the mascara and eye shadow industry in business, come in to say hello to Peggy. Once again, Zak makes a big todo about taking Peggy out and handling her for the first time.
Both employees handle Peggy, and even stare deeply into her eyes. Even Zak takes a turn, but he’s not bold enough to stare her down. And just when you think demonic voices will emirate from the Spirit Box or the blood will flow, nothing happens and we move on to something else.
And that something else is self-styled demonologist Darren Evans and the Zozo Demon game. Even though Zak has repeatedly said the Ouija board is dangerous and not something he likes or even wants to mess with, we visit the seance room where Jay and Darren plop down in front of a Ouija Board.
To build atmosphere and charge the room with electricity, Joshua Warren plugs in the Jacob’s Ladder.
No prizes will be awarded for guessing Darren is able to spell out the word Zozo on the Ouija board. In fact, every board he works with should have the rest of the letters removed to make communication easier. But before Zozo can cause any havoc and devastation, the episode is over and everyone heads outside to enjoy the rest of their Halloween night.
We had conjuring, we had not just one, but two creepy dolls, we had scary wine boxes, we had remnants of the Demon House, we had witch battles, and we even had a visit from Zozo. The only thing we didn’t get was evidence.
Other Articles of Interest:
- The Zozo Phenomenon by Darren Evans – Thoughts and Impressions
- Deadly Possessions – Peggy the Doll and John Murrell’s thumb
- Zozo, Darren Evans, Robert Murch and Darkness Radio – A Zozo Hoax?
- Ghost Adventures – The Zozo Demon – S10E03
- The Zozo Phenomenon by Darren Evans – Review
- I Am Zozo – A Review
- Ghost Adventures – Museum of Madness – S15E07
- Paranormal Lockdown – S02E11 – Scutt Mansion
- Ghost Adventures – Annabelle’s Curse – S15E08
- Ghost Adventures – Samaritan Cult House – S14E03
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