Is there anything spookier than telling ghost stories around an autumn campfire? For Salem sister ghost hunters Misty and Ashley Conner, the answer is yes!
Since 2009, these sisters, along with their best friend Rachael Ross, have made it their mission to learn as much as they can about and improve and advance the field of paranormal research.
“Education is important,” said Misty Conner. “There are so many theories and such.”
Their interest was piqued after watching an episode of "Ghost Hunters," a paranormal reality show that airs on the NBC affiliate Syfy channel.
“We realized that people really do this,” said Misty Conner, laughing. “Growing up in the South, there are so many legends and superstitions that we just were accustomed to.”
So just how did they get started? “We just decided one night to go to a graveyard,” said Misty Conner. Her sister quickly chimed in with a disclaimer: “Don’t ever do this,” she said. “It’s illegal!”
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Sure enough, a police officer caught them sneaking around the old church cemetery and gave them a stern lecture. As luck would have it, the officer was involved with a paranormal team himself, and the rest, as they say, is history. The Conners have since added three more “sisters” to their team: Taylor Wyatt-Hill, Nicole LaPrade and Shanna Presnell.
Now armed with an arsenal of paranormal detection equipment (audio and video recorders, temperature gauges and such) and a few years of ghost hunting skill under their belts, these ladies are on a mission to share their experiences.
“We use scientific methods to improve and advance the field in any way that we can,” said Misty Conner. “We strive to compile the best, hard, tangible evidence possible, and our equipment helps us to do just that.”
Ashley admits to being the most cynical of the group and the one who usually needs the most convincing. An experience at Avenel in Bedford County, however, left her with no doubts. Digital recorders in hand, the ladies visited the antebellum estate only to find later that their equipment had recorded a man’s voice talking; yet no man was with them that night.
Often, bumps in the night have simple explanations. In one instance, a lady was very frightened by a nightly banging on her door; the girls were called in to investigate only to find that it was a cat toy making the noises. Their client was quite relieved!
“This is a community,” said Misty Conner. “We encourage people to get involved — many people would enjoy the historical aspect of paranormal research.”
And safety is the top priority. “We always have walkie-talkies and we never go anywhere alone,” said Misty Conner. “There is always a second person; in part, for accountability — that second person can validate what’s experienced.”
Commonsense safety measures, such as appropriate attire and not venturing into dilapidated structures, are a given.
These ghost huntresses have made quite a name for themselves within the genre — they are welcomed in many well-known haunts: St. Albans in Radford, Major Graham’s Mansion in Max Meadows and Old South Pittsburg Hospital, to name a few. They also have their own radio show, "Paranormal Party" (not for young listeners), which airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m.; the link can be found by visiting their website, www.sistersofsalem.com. They’re even featured in a book, "The Ghosts of St. Albans," written by Pat Bussard.
Misty Conner offered some spooky advice for aspiring ghost hunters who venture out with their friends: “Never say ‘Come on’ or ‘follow me’ aloud, even to your friends — you never know who might be listening and will indeed follow you home.”
