Spirited organization welcoming inquiries

“There will always be people who debunk the evidence, until they hear a ghost speak to them.”

Scott Felger speaks from his experience as president of the Ohio Haunted Investigators Organization, a group formed, according to their website, in an effort to provide proof of the existence of ghosts. Committed to the scientific research, investigation, documentation, and education of paranormal phenomena, the members of OHIO hope to provide proof through the use of video, still pictures, sound recordings and eyewitness reports.

Although Felger shared that 80 percent of the time, an investigation will turn up no evidence of a spirit, affirmation collected from past investigations by the members of OHIO include electronic voice phenomena, or EVP’s, through which a spirit’s voice can be picked up by means of a recording device, video footage, and the press and media.

While the group has been in existence for approximately 10 years, according to Tony Congelio, a member of more than a year, the organization has been compacted and revamped.

“It works better as a smaller group,” he said.

Performing investigations primarily in the eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania and northwestern West Virginia regions, past investigations include private businesses and residences, including the Mansfield Reformatory, Beaver Creek State Park, the West Virginia Penitentiary, and Hill View Manor in New Castle, where their investigation turned up evidence of the spirits of former residents still looming.

While Congelio shared that the group learns by trial and error while training on the equipment and watching programs focused on similar investigative means, fellow member Noelle Janovick added that they also read and hold discussions. Should an individual require assistance beyond their means, OHIO is able to refer to experts.

A nonprofit organization, Felger shared that the organization is supported by donations and the members themselves. OHIO investigations are kept strictly confidential, and, while donations toward an investigation, which are performed free of charge, are welcome, they are not required.

With many of the members having experienced a paranormal event themselves, “Some of the people were forgotten in life and don’t want to be forgotten in death," said Janovick, sharing her thoughts on some of the spirits with whom the group has made contact, adding that a remaining spirit may have an emotional attachment.

Individuals questioning the existence of an unexpected tenant in their home or business who would like to take their intrigue to the next level can visit the website of the OHIO at www.ohioafterlife.com for further information on contacting the organization.

“We’re all friends,” said Felger of the group’s current 11 members, adding that although they are not currently seeking new members, they are however, welcoming inquiries for investigations.