Page 86 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - October / November 2018

86 Ghost Adventures Exposed As Fake

The Shady Science of

Ghost Hunting

Continued from Page 83

If murder victims whose killings remains
unsolved are truly destined to walk the earth and
haunt the living, then we should expect to
encounter ghosts nearly everywhere. According
to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, roughly a
quarter of all homicides remains unsolved each
year. (In fact, fewer homicides are solved now
than in the past; in 1976, 79 percent of
homicides were cleared, down to 64 percent in
2002.) There are about 30,000 homicides in
America each year.
Using the most recent numbers, that's
about 11,000 unsolved murders per year, and
110,000 over the course of only ten years, and
probably well over million over the course of the
twentieth century in America alone.
And, yes, paranormal experts claim that “In no way was I possessed,” she
they employ science and scholarly research in insisted on her website. “The dance was an old
Where are all the ghosts? their investigations of unexplained phenomena. fashioned Mexican Tarantella, not an Indian
The accusations come from Bonnie Vent, ritual dance. I did get into the flow of the energy
And why aren't they helping to bring their killers a self-proclaimed “spirit advocate” in San in the Wine Room which is located in the
to justice, with so many crimes unsolved? Why Diego, who claims shows like “Ghost original Bandini house and I did perform a
would they hang out in scary mansions instead Adventures,” “Ghost Hunters” and “Fact Or dance that I had no knowledge of for several
of directing police to evidence that would Fake” sensationalize the supernatural in order to minutes.”
avenge their murders? scare up ratings. Another bit of research that Vent says
For that matter, why are ghosts seen “Due to the format they have to be was incorrect was the “Ghost Adventures” cast’s
wearing clothing? It's one thing to suggest that a augmented to make them more interesting,” she claim that the room in which the interview took
person's spirit has a soul that can be seen after told HuffPost Weird News, adding that place was where Juan Lorenzo Bandini, a San
death; but do shoes, coats, hats, and belts also “lockdowns,” where “Ghost Adventures” stars Diego pioneer who built the house in 1827, slept
have souls? Logically, ghosts should appear Zak Bagans, Nick Groff and Aaron Goodwin get for many years.
naked. The fact that they don't suggests that locked inside a faciliity at midnight in order to That room was on the second floor of the
people's ideas of what ghosts are—and what investigate, “are good television but not building, which, it turns out, wasn’t built until
they look like—are strongly influenced by social necessary.” years after Bandini died.
and cultural expectations. (For an excellent This doesn’t set well with Vent, who In addition, hotel owner Joe Melluso —
discussion of this, see Richard Finucane's book claims that, as a “spirit advocate,” it’s her job to who emphasizes he was thrilled to host the cast
"Ghosts: Appearances of the Dead & Cultural help dead celebs like Michael Jackson, George and crew — says Bagans, Groff and Goodwin
Transformation.") Carlin and “Crocodile Hunter” star Steve Irwin got a couple other big facts wrong.
If ghosts exist, why are we no closer to by delivering messages to their loved ones from During the interview with HuffPost
finding out what they really are, after so much beyond the grave. Weird News, Bagans mentioned that a Spanish-
research? She says that the crew behind “Ghost speaking guitar player named Carlos had told
The evidence for ghosts is no better Adventures” doesn’t research the places being him that Bandini murdered his wife and buried
today than it was a year ago, a decade ago, or a investigated as thoroughly as they claim to. her where the restaurant is now.
century ago. Ultimately, ghost hunting is not Recently, she says, she discovered that firsthand, In the original story, hotel co-owner
about the evidence (if it was, the search would when the crew came to her hometown to Catherine Miller said she was unaware of this
have been abandoned long ago). Instead, it's investigate the Cosmopolitan Hotel and allegation. Melluso said he spoke with Carlos
about having fun with friends, telling ghost Restaurant, a reportedly haunted San Diego hot after the story was printed and the guitar player
stories, and the enjoyment of pretending you are spot for paranormal activity. said his words were misinterpreted.
searching the edge of the unknown. (It's also While in town, Bagans, Groff and “But, after hearing how he explained it, I
about making money selling "Ghost Hunters" T- Goodwin did an interview with HuffPost Weird can see how the confusion happened,” Melluso
shirts, books, and videos.) Ghost hunters may be News in which they discussed the pending said.
spinning their wheels, but at least they are investigation of the Cosmopolitan. He also says the crew misinterpreted a
enjoying the ride. [] The investigation will air sometime wood headboard of a little girl and a mirror
during the show’s fifth season, which premieres featuring a woman’s face carved in wood as
How Was Ghost Sept. 23. During the interview, Bagans and being Bandini family heirlooms.
Groff said one anecdote they discovered during “The faces don’t represent anyone
Adventures exposed As A their research led them to believe the hotel was related to the Cosmopolitan’s original owners,”
haunted by Native American spirits. he said. []
Fake Show? “There is a certain energy that is trapped

in this location and one lady was partially
possessed, I guess, and started doing an Indian
By Daniel Hertz
ritual dance,” Groff said.
“Yes,” Bagans adds. “This lady went
“Ghost Adventures,” the popular Travel Channel
downstairs to one of the other rooms we’re
paranormal reality show involving three Ed
going to be investigating and she started doing
Hardy-clad ghost hunters, is being haunted by
this Indian dance.”
allegations the show plays loose with the facts
Vent says she knows that story is
and emphasizes showmanship over hardcore
inaccurate because she is the woman who did
research.
the dance.