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20 Questions with Robyn- Hauntedamerciatours.com
The original interview is found here along with some fantastic artwork by hauntedamericatours.com's resident artist.
LSPIR.com
20 QUESTIONS Robyn Onspaugh
1.Where do you see communicating with the dead in 10 years?
With all of the advances in scientific devices with other applications
that are found to be very helpful in the paranormal field, I think
that in 10 years time, we should see great advances in communication
technology. Perhaps even development of a device that would allow
for enough energy for a spirit to manifest, sustain manifestation
and provide investigators an opportunity to converse, in real time,
with that spirit.
2. What would you personally consider to be the definitive proof
that ghosts are real?
For me, personally, it would have to be direct, intentional, reciprocative
communication between an entity and an investigator. To actually have
an informative conversation with the spirit of a person that has passed
on and learn exactly what it’s like after death would be definitive
proof that ghosts are real. But, even without that, I remain a solid
believer.
3. What is the most real evidence you personally have uncovered so
far?
That evidence would have to be EVPs I found on my voice recorder
while reviewing evidence from a case we investigated back in early
March. This place revealed some truly amazing evidence. The EVPs were
very clear and we now know that there is a spirit of a woman haunting
that location. She’s quite eager to communicate as well.
4. Are you skeptical of the claims others make of their findings?
Not as long as they are an honest, ethical group in the rest
of their dealings in the field. As long as they follow the correct
procedures and proper protocol for investigating that most other respected
teams do and have a set of standards they adhere to, I would not be
as quick to doubt their findings. It’s the teams that have more
unethical practices, like charging for investigations, that I would
find highly suspect when it came to their evidence. Those teams are
going to feel as though since they have been paid to do a job, they
are required to deliver results. That would lead me to be wary of
any evidence a team like that would put forth.
5. If you could investigate your "Dream Haunted Hot Spot"
where would it be?
My dream hot spot would be anywhere there appears to be an intelligent
haunt. It’s my dream to have a one on one sit down with a ghost
that likes to talk. If there is any way that I can ask and possibly
get the answers as to what happens when we die and what it’s
actually like to be in spirit form I would be the happiest investigator
alive.
6. What was your first paranormal encounter?
I was right around 17 years old, at a party with some friends. This
was in a very old, turn of the century house in Pennsylvania. During
the course of the evening our hosts, whose family owned the house
and surrounding property, began to give us a history lesson on the
home. At one point the entire party went outside to have a tour of
the grounds and I stayed behind. It was the middle of winter and it
was very cold outside. I chose to stay inside where it was warm and
dry.
At that point, being very curious, I began to think about the story
that was told to us and thought, “What would happen if I asked
a question? Would I get an answer?” So, sitting there, alone
and feeling brave, I asked aloud to an empty room, “Is there
anyone here?” Very quickly a female voice from directly above
me said, “I’m here”. The hairs on my neck stood
up, I was frozen in place and all the blood drained from my face.
Shortly after that the rest of group came back inside. As soon as
they saw me, our gracious host said to me, “You look like you’ve
just seen a ghost!” My reply was, “No, but I just heard
one!”
7. What scares you about Ghost Hunting or Paranormal Investigations?
I’m more frightened of not being completely aware of my surroundings
while traipsing around in the dark then I am of finding a ghost. LOL!
We always do a pre investigation walk through prior to investigating
so that we have a good idea of the terrain and any possible dangers
that we need to be aware of during our cases. But, there are some
places where you just cannot control everything.
One of our team’s favorite hunting grounds is an old slave cemetery.
While that old graveyard will almost always yield some great evidence
for us, we also have to be very cautious when investigating there.
The living element that frequents that location can be a bit more
frightening than any deceased ones! And there are always the spiders
too! They come down from the trees and if you’re not careful,
you might just walk right into them! *shivers*
8. If you could work side by side with one of the Paranormal Investigator
greats, who would it be?
For me, one of the true greats in the field that I would find it
an honor to work with would have to be Chip Coffey. While he isn’t
known for being an investigator as much as he is for being a psychic
that helps them, I still consider him one of the “greats”.
I’m of the opinion that psychics and sensitives play a vital
role in paranormal investigating. They can provide us with information
that we would not otherwise have. To be able to not only “see”
what has happened in the past but to be able to communicate directly
with the spirits in a location is of such a tremendous value. And,
in my mind, Chip Coffey is one this country’s finest psychics.
And he’s a good person too.
9. Read any good Paranormal Books lately?
There isn’t any one in particular that I would call better
than the others. I think any book that helps instruct us on how to
be a better ghost hunter is definitely helpful in this field. And
if I had to choose, any book by Troy Taylor is always worth a read.
10. What Question do people ask you most when you tell them you’re
a paranormal investigator?
That would have to be “Have you ever seen a ghost?” That’s
the always the very first question. I guess people assume that because
we go out and investigate claims of paranormal activity, these supposed
haunted areas are just teaming with ghosts that walk right up to you.
That’s never been my experience. I have yet to see a full bodied
apparition. While, of course, that’s a goal, it has yet to happen.
I’ve seen shadows and heard noises that couldn’t be explained.
But, haven’t quite yet had the privilege of meeting an entity
up close and personal.
11. In your opinion, Where is the most Haunted city in America?
I can only give an opinion on that based on what I have seen on television
or read in books. There tend to be a tremendous amount of haunted
locations here in Florida although, I couldn’t really say which
city is most haunted. I do know that St. Augustine is high on the
list. Ask me that question 5 years from now and I’ll have a
much better answer for you.
12. Do you feel more people should get involved with Ghost hunting
or Paranormal Investigation?
Personally, I feel that if you are serious enough about seeking the
truth for the betterment and continuation of paranormal research,
then by all means, do it! If someone is truly dedicated to seeking
the truth about what happens after death and is devoted to the cause
then I feel they would make a great contribution to the field!
13. What does the future hold for you?
I think the future looks bright for LSPIR. Every day one more
person learns about who we are and that we’re here to help.
Our team is growing in numbers and I feel that when the time is right,
we will branch out so that we can better assist those in areas we
wouldn’t normally be able to. It’s my goal for Lachesis
Sight to be one of the most well respected teams in this field.
14. Paranormal Conventions, do you see them growing?
Yes, I do. Each year, Univcon seems to grow in popularity. And given
the recent debut of PRS’s television show, I’m sure it
will continue to grow expeditiously. This is the first year for Tapscon
and I’m sure they will both progress rapidly as acceptance of
the paranormal becomes more widespread among the general population.
15. What is your most favored tool of the trade?
The voice recorder, hands down. It’s been our team’s
experience that when all else fails, IR cams, digital cameras, EMF
readings, etc, there is usually something to be heard on the voice
recorders. It would seem that if spirits don’t wish to be photographed,
they will most times, at least want to be heard.
16. Tell us about your best moment in investigating or conference
attending for you?
I don’t think that moment has come yet. This summer I will
be attending my fist convention, Tapscon in July in Clearwater. We’re
all looking forward to that. And as far as investigating, I can’t
really say that there has been a “best moment” as of yet.
I know that with each case, we are closer to that moment and I’ll
know it when it happens.
If I had to speculate on what it will be, it will be that moment
when I come face to face with the spirit of a person that has passed
on. To see that up close would have to be any investigators “best
moment”. That and being thanked and appreciated by a client
whom we have helped in some way.
17. What is the hardest part about being a paranormal investigator?
It’s been rather difficult for our team to investigate certain
locations within the community. There are several haunted businesses
that LSPIR would love to investigate, if given the opportunity.
But, many of these places want the big name groups to come in so they
can be featured on television and then charge people for tours, etc.
That’s been exceedingly difficult to deal with. And if those
teams do come in, that business will then begin to charge other teams
to investigate. It can get rather pricey too. I think that if you
have a serious investigation team that is in this for the research
and science, that should be enough. You shouldn’t have to be
famous to have an opportunity to investigate.
18. How do you document your investigations?
The investigators take notes during each case to make sure they
have all personal experiences documented. Those notes are then given
to me. Each member reviews their own evidence (i.e. from personal
cameras, voice recorders, video cameras, etc.). Anything of “interest”
is then forwarded to me. I then post it online so that the entire
team can review it and we come to a decision, as a group, as to whether
we believe it’s paranormal or not. I then type up a detailed
report for the client and our own records. The clients are also provided
with a CD of all the evidence of interest collected during the investigation
of their premises. All of this is then placed on the team’s
website for the public to review and make up their minds about.
19. Have you ever taken a ghost Tour?
I have never personally taken a ghost tour. Although, there are some
places I would like to attend one. I can tell you, even without having
been on one, that it would be rather difficult to not be able to thoroughly
investigate the place we’re touring.
20. What in the field of ghost hunting and Paranormal Investigating
needs the most attention?
It is my opinion that every group that investigates the paranormal
in an effort to further advance the science and research of it should
be a part of a coalition. I think we all need to be on the same page;
share views, opinions, evidence, etc. Instead of clamoring to be the
best or the most famous team in the field, we need to be able to work
together. There are teams out there with some amazing evidence but,
because they aren’t TAPS or PRS, that evidence is ignored and
disregarded. Those teams aren’t the only ones out there with
great EVPs, videos and photographs. All teams should be able to present
their evidence to a central forum for all in the field to review.
I believe that is the only way that we, as paranormal investigators,
are ever going to succeed as a serious field of research and scientific
study.
