People in Paranormal Research - Amy Passarella
We here at Spectral Review as you might imagine enjoy the “reality” based ghost and paranormal shows. These shows include Most Haunted, Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State and Ghost Hunters International. These shows in their own way each try to find answers to questions about the paranormal. One could argue about their methods or motivations but they do try to show how they search for ghosts.
These shows are just representations of real people who do paranormal research. Nearly 100% of these people do this paranormal research for free. That tells us that these researchers are not only dedicated to this research but passionate about it also.
We want to know more about these people. Why do they do this research? How did they start? What expertise do they have?
Our next article in the “People in Paranormal Research” series is from Amy Passarella of Lachesis Sight Paranormal Investigation & Research (LSPIR). Amy is a Senior Investigator and EVP Reviewer for LSPIR.
We hope you like this series. If you have any suggestions or want to participate in our series, use our contact form. And as always you can leave your comment here.
Onto the questions and Amy’s great answers.
How long have you been in paranormal research?
Formally (with a team) 6 years. Informally 4 years before that.
Where are you located, what area of the world do you do investigations? What is the farthest you have traveled to do an investigation?
Florida, USA. All over Florida - would be willing to go out of state if was worth while.
Was there a particular reason or event that lead you to do this research?
Mostly general interest. When I was a young adult I lost a close friend of the family to murder and began experiencing paranormal activity personally and heard stories that the individuals family was also.
Why do you continue to do this work?
I believe studying life after death is important. It gives us a sense of comfort knowing that we exist long after this world, allowing us to live more fulfilling lives on this plane. Also, I believe studying the paranormal and interacting with those that have passed on is a form of history. We are able to speak with those that existed on this earth before we did.
What would be the most compelling evidence you have seen or heard?
PK activity. I witnessed a rather large book (a Bible actually) thrown across the room.
What is your role in your group? Is that where you started? What other roles would you like to learn and do?
Currently I am a senior investigator with my current group. I help the founder of the group as much as I can. I started with another group locally where I held several roles (Historian, Research, PR). I would really like to specialize in EVPs.
Have you taken any formal training in your life that has enhanced your skill set for your paranormal work?
No, unfortunately. I would be willing to though.
What advice would you give someone who wanted to get into the paranormal field?
First and foremost I would remind them that when dealing with the paranormal, they are dealing with human beings and that they should be treated as such. They are not to be toyed with or provoked. Its just not respectful.
Is there some aspect or point of view about the paranormal field that you wished that everyone in the field followed?
In addition to treating spirits/ghosts with respect, I believe that too many groups find themselves demanding evidence from the spirits/ghosts. When they don’t get the results they themselves want, they push it back on the entities to prove it to them. I really don’t think its right.
What misconceptions do the public and/or media have about the paranormal field you wish you could dispel?
That all spirits/ghosts are evil or are from the devil.
July 25th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Wish there was a follow-up to the flying book answer. Flying books have been a common hoax since the “spiritual” movement of the late 1800s.
July 25th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
The flying book was actually a shock to us all. We were actually finished with a case and were packing up our gear. There was a wall shelf above my head. We were just talking amongst ourselves and I was sitting on the couch. That’s when the book flew off the shelf and actually landed between 6-7 feet from where it came. We tried several times to try to recreate the action by placing the book back on the shelf - banging the wall - jamming the couch into the wall everything. We couldn’t get it to replicate the same action. Even when we slightly pushed the book to get it to fall off it would only fall down on the couch - and not WAY out on the floor where it had originally gone.
July 25th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Under what conditions did you observe its flight? Was it dark or light? Did you see it fly from the shelf or just its flight? Did you remove everything from the shelf to examine it, and the wall behind it?
Just curious because what you’re describing is not just the effect of gravity.
July 25th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
It was night time - but the home was well lit. I personally only saw its flight, however two other team mates actually saw it leave the shelf. They were looking in my direction at the time because I was talking to them. There was only one other item on the shelf - a very small light weight nick nack - which remained undisturbed. Yes - we did examine the wall.
There is no way that I can prove to anyone that what I witnessed was paranormal activity, it is only my opinion from what I witnessed and based on our trying to recreate it. I myself am a semi-skeptic - I’m the first to try to explain away something. This was one of the most convincing moments I’ve had in the 6 years I’ve studied the paranomal.
July 25th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
On a different tack, is the ghost, spirit, entity, what-
ever, so tired from bending the physical laws of the universe that the best it could do was toss a book?
July 25th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Ok - now that’s just a weird question. How could I possibly know the answer to that?
July 26th, 2008 at 7:20 am
I had the pleasure of working with Amy in her previous group! You are doing great Amy and I loved this article! I am sorry I missed the flying bible….I look forward to seeing you again!
July 26th, 2008 at 8:21 am
To Resume,
Unless you have witnessed paranormal activity for yourself, up close and personal, you will never understand.
No one knows how these things work…the laws of the universe, that is. So, how could you possibly ask a question such as that when there is positively no correct answer?
There is so much to this world and universe that is left unknown to man. We may think we understand how everything works or is supposed to work but, we do not. Not even the most genius minds can fully comprehend the “laws of the universe”.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:24 am
To Robin:
Actually I’ve had what might be termed paranormal experiences, one of which was so vivid, it took me a very long time before I admitted to myself that I had nothing more than a realistic dream.
You are correct that there is much about the universe we don’t understand, but there is much that we do. Using the scientific method, we can posit theories, develop a protocol to test them, allow the evidence to be critically reviewed . . . Which results in such things as this here Internet through which we are sharing ideas.
July 30th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Not to be a buzz killer but applying Occam’s Razor to the flying bible thing, the easiest and best explanation was Ms. Passarella was being hoaxed.
Also, the incident was nothing more than an anomaly since it wasn’t replicable, and a competent researcher draws no conclusions from such things.