Team seeks ghosts in Louisiana

Published 12:16 am Saturday, October 30, 2010

LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — Just in time for Halloween, a team of paranormal investigators have been called in to search for suspected ghostly activity at a 19th century home near downtown Lake Charles.

Valerie Smith lives in the home that once belonged to the Pithon family in the late 1800s. Smith told KPLC-TV that she has experienced paranormal activity since she moved into the home six years ago. She says those experiences include the doorbell ringing at odd times and the unexplained knocking over of different objects in her home.

As a result, she’s asked Louisiana Spirits, a statewide group of paranormal investigators, to stake out the house.

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“We just always felt like something else was there,” Smith said.

With their cameras, audio recorders and other equipment, Smith said the team managed to document a couple of unexplained instances. One involved an investigator asking for a knock in return and seconds later received two knocks from an unknown responder, she said.

“The most unusual thing that ever happened here was when my daughter-in-law misplaced her day planner,” she said. “All of a sudden the canvas wardrobe fell and her day planner was behind the wardrobe.”

Smith said she welcomes the unexplained happenings and has nicknamed her “ghost,” Ethel.

“It doesn’t bother me, I sleep pretty well at night knowing Ethel is here,” said Smith. “I just think it’s very interesting and it’s fun having them come in and investigate and to see their findings. Just kind of makes me feel like what I thought possibly is.”

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Online: www.laspirits.com

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Information from: KPLC-TV, http://kplctv.com