The University of New Mexico raised Halloween spirits by welcoming paranormal investigator Amy Bruni on Tuesday, Oct. 28, to speak with other believers of ghosts about some of her most memorable experiences and stories she has encountered while conducting paranormal investigations.
Bruni prefaced the event by clarifying that she will never speak in absolutes about ghosts, nor dictate their existence, because she knows it is virtually impossible to prove the existence of ghosts, she said.
Bruni said her thoughts and theories about hauntings change almost all of the time.
There are a few different kinds of ghosts; intelligent ghosts who interact with you and are aware of your existence, residual ghosts who are stuck on a loop and do not acknowledge your existence, and haunted objects, Bruni said.
Bruni began her televised paranormal journey with “Ghost Hunters” in 2008, before starting filming in 2016 for her latest show, “Kindred Spirits,” which she co-starred in.
Bruni has visited multiple privately owned haunted homes, and some of the more popular locations in the ghost hunting community, including Harrisville farmhouse, Waverly Hills Sanatorium and the Lizzie Borden house, she said.
On stage, she displayed some of her own haunted and historical objects gathered from throughout her life and career.
Bruni brought objects like ouija boards, dolls, a Victorian era spirit trumpet, an original painting by Ed Warren and a rare photograph from William H. Mumler, a nineteenth century “spirit” photographer who scammed dozens of people into paying for altered photographs he claimed were real.
Bruni likes to prioritize teaching the historical significance of the places she investigates, in respect for the home or building and the people affiliated with paranormal activity, she said.
Additionally, she thinks having that information will help convey a personal side to the story, and a better understanding of the investigation they are conducting, Bruni said.
“I’m sure you guys watch reality TV, and you’re like, ‘is this fake?’” Bruni said. “I wanted everything to be 100% legit. I wanted all the history to be accurate.”
She said that she only joined “Kindred Spirits” under the conditions that the show would not be overly dramatized in any way, and historical research about each location would be included.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Not only does learning about the history of each location help Bruni grasp an individual understanding of each situation she evaluates, the history helps her form a stronger connection with the energy she is investigating.
A big part of why people fear ghosts is because they make us think about our own mortality and face life after death, Bruni said.
Bruni said she differs from most other paranormal investigators because of the way she approaches every investigation with friendliness and a positive attitude.
“I’m very upbeat. I walk in, I smile, I introduce myself.” Bruni said, “The producers, whenever I’m on TV, they’re like, ‘Amy, this is supposed to be scary.’ And I’m like, ‘hi ghosts, I’m Amy.’”
Lexis Lovato is a beat reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @lovatolexis
