Ghost hunt on campus points to paranormal

Caleb Fort

Issue date: 10/26/05 Section: News
  • Print
  • Email
Patti Star of Ghost Chasers International searches for paranormal activity with a group of UNM students through the basement corridors of Mesa Vista Hall late Tuesday night.
Media Credit: Harrison Brooks / Daily Lobo
Patti Star of Ghost Chasers International searches for paranormal activity with a group of UNM students through the basement corridors of Mesa Vista Hall late Tuesday night.

by Caleb Fort

Daily Lobo



A lecture in the SUB tried to get people in the Halloween spirit - by talking about spirits.

Patti Starr, founder of Ghost Chasers International, discussed several paranormal experiences she had while touring supposedly haunted sites.

After her presentation she led about 20 people from the audience, chosen in a raffle, on a tour of campus looking for ghosts. Chip Coffrey, a member of her ghost-hunting team, also accompanied her.

The aim of the lecture was not to make people believe ghosts are real, Coffrey said. The lecture included photographs that showed balls of light, videos of shadows moving across the wall and sound clips that he said were recordings of ghosts speaking.

"We're not trying to convince anyone, or try to convert them to our way of thinking," he said. "We're just here to show people what we've collected."

The tour included a trip to the basement of Mesa Vista Hall.

Starr took a photo, which she said showed the ghost of a girl.

Coffrey sensed a female presence, he said. He said he felt pressure on his chest and also sick to his stomach.

Starr took several pictures outside of the building that showed a large, glowing, orange ball - called an orb - in front of a tree. However, no other photographers there could get the same image.

Starr carried several sensors, which beeped and flashed occasionally during the tour. When one sensor flashed persistently she asked a series of yes or no questions.

She said flashing meant yes, and the absence of a flash meant no.

When asked if the presence was a female who died in the 1970s, the light flashed.

Student Bonnie Brown said the lecture was interesting, but her favorite part was the tour. The picture of the orb made a big impression, she said.

"It was very affecting," she said.

Student Kimberly Davis said the presentation was hokey. The tour did not convince her that ghosts exist, but she said it was entertaining.
Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools

Anonymous posts are no longer allowed. They will not show up.

You must be logged in to post!

Advertisement

AP Video

Poll

Should the six-figure salaries of top administrators at UNM be scaled down to free up funding for academics?
Submit Vote

View Results

Advertisement