Location and History - Home is located in Rapid City, SD. Two story house with a basement. Home has had multiple remodels throughout it's history. Undocumented history tells of a possible killing at this location.
Reported Activity - Vary from voices, noises, shadow figures, apparitions, objects moved, phantom smells. There were also reports of the residents name’s being called, physical contact in form of being grabbed and/or touched. Some of the activity has been violent in nature. Family had an Native American Medicine Man bless the house. He stated that he felt there had been a death at the residence and that the presence he felt was angry.
Investigation - Two investigations were done 9/9/2009 and 11/11/2009. 9/9/2009 - Prior to the rest of the team arriving, investigators MarkR and Mo conducted a tour of the home as it was still under repair and had limited power. Baseline EMF and digital photos were taken during the initial tour. While in the basement a loud noise was heard in a corner opposite of MarkR and Mo. As the two turned towards the noise a 2'x2' piece of sheet metal was seen sailing through the air. Since the wind was calm, the door closed and the only small window was shuttered, there was no explanation to the sheet metal being tossed. After the remainder of the team arrived we set-up and conducted the investigation. During the investigation footsteps were heard several times upstairs. Also, during one session upstairs an interesting incident occurred with MarkR and Mo. While sitting on steps leading to a small room a grumbling voice was heard. 1-2 seconds after the voice a loud slap was heard within a few feet of MarkR. Remainder of the evening was quiet. 11/06/2009 - Return investigation to the residence. Owners were experiencing an increase in activity. The home was approximately 90% complete on the renovations. EMF sweep was conducted and baseline was 0.0-0.1. While investigators Darlene and Mo were in the basement there was a significant spike lasting a few seconds. Later in the evening MarkR and Mo were in the basement when stomping and dragging was heard upstairs in the living room area. Upon inquiring as to what was going on, investigators upstairs denied making any noise. They were either up on the second floor or in the porch where command was set-up. Similar occurrence happened when MarkS and Peggy were on the second floor hearing stomping and commotion downstairs. Investigators downstairs denied making any noise. What was strange was that none of the noise was caught on any audio. But, was clearly heard and loud. As the evening progressed, a phantom smell of perfume was encountered downstairs. Also, investigators Rob and Mo were 'slapped' each on the forehead. One of which had a EMF spike just before it happened. Mo's slap occurred after some provocation. There was one period in the evening when the batteries in all of our equipment drained simultaneously. But, what was the most interesting activity of the evening was what we caught on our IR game camera in the basement. Three heavy duty wires tired together that were moved independently of one another!
Evidence review -
We captured multiple EVP's at this location. Some which indicate an
intelligent haunting. Both Mo and MarkR had their
names called.
One EVP we captured was the name
'Kara'.
An eerie one that sound like a woman screaming 'Save
Me'. But, the video clip from the basement was something that
we were not able to debunk. The wires moved only when the home owner
was present. There was no breeze. They were not touched. And,
they were located over a concrete slab that you would had to have stepped up
onto to touch them. If you notice in the video they are tied together on
the beam but, yet move independently. Also, one investigator needed to
know where all the
cameras are located.
Conclusion - Based on the evidence captured and personal experiences we believe this location to be haunted. BHPI and the home owners continue to research the location in hopes of proving or disproving the possibility of foul play. Check back on occasion as we do keep in contact with the home owners.
Equipment Used - 9/9/09 Sony Hi8 digital tape recorder with digital tape in long play mode, Sony IR extender, Nikon D60, Olympus digital audio, RCA digital audio, KII, standard EMF meters, DVR with 3 static IR cameras. 11/06/09 - DVR with 3 static IR cameras, EMF detectors, KII, Olympus digital audio, RCA digital audio, Nikon D60, Stealth Cam Prowler game camera in video mode.
Weather - 9/9/09 - Temp low 70's to high 50's. Wind calm. Skies clear. Moon starting into the last quarter. 11/06/09 - Temp upper 40's to lower 30's. Wind calm. Skies clear. Moon in the last quarter.
Addendum Feb. 2010 - We were contacted by the homeowners after some additional remodeling was started. After pulling off the current interior wall they found a pre-Prohibition whiskey bottle and the names Kara and Mark written on the original, interior surface. Unfortunately, the names were painted over by the contractor before pictures could be taken.