Premier Paranormal Researchers Paranormal Activity Research Society
The paranormal, disembodied voices, footsteps in an empty stairwell, an icy hand on your shoulder...let your imagination run wild in Maine. From the ghostly hauntings of a former hospital in Bangor to the mysterious lights of the Owl's Head Lighthouse, Maine is home to many stories of paranormal activity. People come from all over the world to explore its haunted history and experience its strange phenomena. It isn't any wonder that para-curious minds are born and raised in this mysterious state. For those eager to explore beyond the pages of books and stories, Maine provides plenty of opportunities for hands-on experiences with its unique paranormal activity. Just ask the members of the Paranormal Activity Research Society.
Born, raised, and educated in Maine, team lead Brandon Marshall has had a fascination since childhood with the supernatural since seeing the 1973 horror movies The Exorcist and The Amityville Horror (1979). “Being raised in a Christian home (later being baptized Catholic) I’ve always believed in the phenomena of ghosts and spirits interacting with people and of haunting certain places," he says. As a result, Brandon has a strong belief in the spiritual world and is always researching various supernatural experiences and theories to explain them. “As a child of age 11, my first encounter with hoping to actually see paranormal activity was when my older sister & I got our hands on a Ouija board. While we never actually visibly saw a ‘ghost’, we did experience what I still feel today was strange paranormal activity within our home after messing with the Ouija board," Brandon explains. Brandon is the author of Speak No Evil: The Rise in Occultism, Demonic Activity & Deliverance from Evil Spirits, which describes over 350 occult practices and their country and cultural origins.
Brandon has investigated cases throughout Maine and New England for over 20 years as an avid researcher and amateur filmmaker. What started out as plain fun became more of a life purpose when others began requesting his help with their own supernatural concerns. Using his years of electronics experience, Brandon explores cutting-edge high-tech gear to capture alleged paranormal activity (both visually & audibly). His expertise in electronics has allowed him to develop specialized equipment to detect and record paranormal activity. With the help of his teammates, Scott Goguen and Alexus Smith, he has consistently worked with individuals, groups, and organizations to help them uncover the truth about their paranormal experiences.
Originally of Pine Tree Paranormal, Scott grew up in a haunted Massachusetts farm house, and his experiences there would foster a life-long interest in the paranormal. He founded Pine Tree Paranormal in 2008, and during one of his investigations met Brandon, and the two moved on to form the Paranormal Activity Research team which operates alongside the still-active Pine Tree Paranormal. Scott's agnosticism provides a nice balance to Brandon's spirituality when doing their research, and their newer member, Alexus, rounds things out with her brevity and research skills. The team strives to help bring credibility to the field through scientific, evidence¬ based research. During investigations, they exercise the same professionalism as they do in their daily lives. The trio's varied backgrounds enable them to bring a multifaceted approach to their investigations, ensuring that all relevant perspectives are considered when assessing evidence and determining outcomes.
“We are currently exploring new methods using different light color spectrums or frequencies such as gamma, Red/Green, Yellow/Blue and Ultraviolet and IR combinations) alongside IR/UV capable cameras to enable the cameras to “see” down into the light wavelengths that human eyes necessarily cannot see (The electromagnetic spectrum, which is the range of light frequencies, the spectrum, of electromagnetic radiation and their respective wavelengths and photon energies), in a methodic science based attempt to visually capture & record spirits or apparitions.” Their goal is to introduce new methods of paranormal investigation. They also use more traditional methods and equipment such as a simple Polaroid camera, spirit bells, tape cassette recorders, and an old handheld compass. By combining the old and the new, they are able to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the paranormal world. The more traditional techniques allow them to connect with the spiritual world in a more traditional way, and the newer techniques help them to observe and record phenomena in a more scientific manner.
Some of the team's most memorable investigations have taken place at Anderson Cemetery, one of the oldest burial grounds in the tiny town of Windham, Maine, and at 16 Butler Street in South Berwick, Maine. Anderson Cemetery has been the site of many remarkable experiences. It is rather infamous for its paranormal phenomena, some of which will remain with the team long after they leave Windham. They encountered strange orbs, whispers, and footsteps, though they were most certainly alone. Alexus recalls, “Was it scary? Sure, but I’m a tough country girl from Madawaska. I can handle myself pretty good and I’m no stranger to scary, dark woodsy areas in Maine.” And on Butler Street, an invisible force has been known to pull paintings from the wall, strip back bed sheets, and fling doors open. They have recorded numerous EMF electromagnetic interferences both in the basement and on the second floor landing as well as an EVP of a woman humming."It’s exciting to be on the ground floor of paranormal research and by trying and documenting new techniques we can bring credibility to the field and hopefully pique the interest of the scientific community," says Brandon.
To learn more about what Pine Tree Paranormal and Paranormal Activity Research bring to the field of paranormal research, visit them at www.pinetreeparanormal.com and www.marshall44invent.wixsite.com/paranormal by using the QR codes below. You can also follow them on Facebook @Maine State Paranormal Activity Research Team.