Historic Louisiana Plantation Burnt to the Ground by Ghost Hunting Group

The LeBeau Plantation- built in the 1850s served as a hotel and casino
but has been vacant since the 1980s

A group of alleged "paranormal investigators" have been arrested and charged with arson, burglary and criminal damage after breaking into the historic LeBeau Plantation and setting it on fire. The seven men, ranging in ages from 17 to 31, broke into the 160-year-old landmark to investigate the claims that it was haunted. Abandoning their investigation, the men decided to get drunk and high, and that's when things went even further downhill.

Initially the fire was believed to be an accident, however the suspects alerted the authorities that they had intentionally set the fire after not receiving any evidence of the paranormal. "They were in there looking for ghosts, drinking, smoking dope, and for some reason they made a decision- a concious decision- before they left to set this building on fire," local sheriff, James Pohlmann said. "St. Bernard lost a part of its history today, and these seven individuals are responsible for that."

Fire-fighters responded to the call around 2am on Friday morning, but by the time they arrived, the building was engulfed in flames. They were able to keep the three alarm fire under control, but were unable to save the abandoned building. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the fire.

True paranormal investigators everywhere are speaking out in disgust over the actions of these men. "Ghost Hunters" team member, Amy Bruni, took to her Facebook page to share her thoughts on the matter:

Everyone keeps asking me about the idiots who burned down a historic plantation while "investigating."

I wish the world would realize that beyond the shows, beyond the hype - there is a very real field here, that has been in existence since the 1800's. Watching a tv show, having a couple of beers and breaking into an abandoned building does not make you a Paranormal Investigator. It makes you a jack ass.

I'm so saddened when I hear stories like this. Have respect for these locations, their ghosts, their memories - and for this entire field. It's not a joke. It's not a thrill. People who truly love it, know that.

I believe wholeheartedly that "Ghost Hunters" sets a good example for those who want to investigate and that's why I have been a part of it for so many years. TAPS holds on to their integrity like gold and will continue to do so, even when the cameras stop rolling.

Investigate responsibly, my friends.
xoxo,
-a


-Nowal Massari

'Ghost Adventures' Recap: 'Battle of Perryville'

Image courtesy of the Travel Channel

BY NOWAL MASSARI

In 2011, the "Ghost Adventures" Crew investigated the Rocky Point Manor in Kentucky. In 2013, they return to investigate two homes that served as field hospitals during the Civil War's Battle of Perryville.

The H.P Bottom house is the only house still standing that was in the midst of the battle between the two sides; there are even bullet holes still marking the house. When it was a field hospital, it was overflowing with wounded soldiers, with some even spilling out onto the lawn. Amputations were the most commonly performed procedures within the walls. Kurt, a park ranger, shows the crew an original door from the home that was used as an operating table. It also has a bullet hole in it and it is thought to still have the 150-year-old bloody outline of a body.

Kurt tells the crew about a friend's experience with a sinister energy at the second location; the Dye house. Upon leaving the house, the friend inquires as to whether or not there are any green lights on inside. Kurt tells him the power is off. They return to the house on a different occasion and snap a few consecutive photos in a room upstairs, where it is said that surgeries were performed. Only one photo shows a strange, white mist like anomaly, or vortex.

Ohio Ghost Society brings life back to cemetery

Just a quick round of kudos for the Nearly Everywhere Ohio Ghost Society. The Newark Advocate reports the paranormal investigative group is giving back to a local cemetery with volunteer cleanup work. Ghost hunting groups are often supporting historic locations through fundraising and paid investigations, but this goes above and beyond.

The full article:

An Ohio ghost group is taking its love of ghosts and respect for the dead to a cleanup of an old city cemetery. The Nearly Everywhere Ohio Ghost Society plans to spruce up Rowland Cemetery in Canton on Saturday. The group's goal is to remove litter, mow grass and place about 40 toppled headstones back on their bases. Society president Andy Pearson said he was appalled by what he saw when he visited the cemetery. The 2.3-acre site, with its last burial eight years ago, has graves dating to the early 1800s, including the remains of some of Canton's earliest residents.

'Bama gets into ghostly groove

Catching this one a little late, but USA Today is reporting that Alabama is also trying to get into the paranormal investigation tourist trade.

In this July 1 article, Matt Roney reports that, "The Southwest Alabama Regional Tourism and Film Office is working to establish a ghost trail stretching through the 18 counties that make a swath through the middle of the state starting this summer."

The area is known as the "Black Belt," and is named the black soil.

Alabama's move to embrace amateur ghost hunters makes sense as it opens up another dimension to the state's tourism industry.