Final Report & Analysis

Black Diamond Paranormal Society©

“We are the light that cuts the darkness. Therefore, when you see… truth must be honored.”

Final Report and Analysis

Case 027

Historical Pocahontas Cemetery Phase II

October 2, 2010

Pocahontas, Virginia

Investigators

Rodney Shortridge, Aaron Shortridge, Matt O’Quin, Heather Lamantia, Nathan Rasnick, Micki Nelson,

Dave Horn

&

Dave Hambly

     On October 2, 2010 the BDPS team investigated the Historical Pocahontas Cemetery, for the 2rd phase of this investigation, located in Pocahontas, Virginia. I would like to take this moment to thank Mayor Jonathan Gibson and the Pocahontas Town Council for giving us permission to investigate such a historical site once again. We decided because of the size of the cemetery and due to areas of the cemetery that we previously investigated each team would investigate separate areas of the cemetery simultaneously while one team would watch the camera monitors at our base within the cemetery. We started our investigation around 6:00 p.m. with a walking tour of the cemetery that was given by me. We started our set up around 7:00 p.m. We then proceeded to our investigation soon after dividing into teams. Team 1 consisted of me and Heather Lamantia Team 2 consisted of Nathan Rasnick and Micki Nelson. Team 3 consisted of Aaron Shortridge and Dave Hambly. Team 4 consisted of Matt O’Quin and Dave Horn. Each team was placed to investigate selected sections of the cemetery and one team monitoring our cameras back at base. Each team worked on a rotation changing their location about every 2 hours. We finished our investigation around 4:00 a.m. the following morning. This was a great experience and very helpful in our constant training.

     EQUIPMENT USED AT THIS INVESTIGATION:

  • (6) DVR’s (Digital Voice Recorders)
  • (1) Microcassette Recorder
  • (4) Zero Lux low lever IR (infra-red) cameras
  • (1) Sony handheld camcorder
  • (1) Kodak digital camera
  • (1) Nikon camera
  • (1) Fuji digital camera
  • (2) Canon digital cameras
  • (1) Samsung digital camera
  • (2) K2 Meters
  • (1) EMF (Electro Magnetic Field) Meter
  • (2) Laser Thermometers
  • (1) Electric Toy Keyboard

    

    We placed (1) DVR (Digital Voice Recorder) in each of the areas of the cemetery with reports or claims of paranormal activity and from evidence that was collected in our past investigations of the cemetery. We placed our IR cameras around our base to encompass as much of the cemetery as possible. (1) IR camera was placed in the area where on one of our investigations of the cemetery we captured EVP’s evidence. (1) was placed in the area from another of our investigations where we saw shadows moving throughout the investigation. (2) IR cameras were placed in areas of the cemetery that we have only investigated slightly on our past investigations and with reports from BDPS members of having the feeling of being watched or a presence near that was unseen and unexplained. (1) Sony handheld camcorder was carried by me during the investigation. (1) Microcassette Recorder was carried by three different teams at different times during the investigation. Also, each team carried along with them during their investigations one of the following: K2 Meter, EMF (Electro Magnetic Field) Meter or Laser Thermometer.

 

Reports & Claims:

     There have been many reports throughout the years of unexplained disembodied voices, apparitions, shadows, mists, lights, orbs and an unknown nun that has been seen walking throughout the cemetery.

Historical information

     The town of Pocahontas is a registered Virginia Historic site, along with the Pocahontas Cemetery. The cemetery features graves that are over 100 years old and a mass grave of coal miners killed in a mine explosion in Pocahontas on March 13, 1884. Each year, the town holds a ceremony at the cemetery to remember the more than 114 coal miners killed in the explosion.

 

Personal Experiences:

 

Heather Lamantia

At the October 2, 2010 investigation of the Pocahontas Cemetery I had the following personal experiences. During the first round of investigating I was with Rodney. We were on top of the hill over by the area where the miners’ graves that died in the explosion are located. In the wooded area at the top of the hill I heard a snorting sound off and on for several minutes. Could not rule out the possibility of animal life, did not go up into woods to find out. The second experience happened on the side of the hill at the location of the miners' graves. Rodney and I were sitting there when to my right side about 50 feet away or something, I saw a shadow dart around a tree. I told Rodney what I saw, he did not see anything. We went to the area to investigate. We sat on the ground by the tree doing EVP work and taking photos, suddenly I felt a "poke" on the back of my left arm on the triceps area. I told Rodney and he took photos and asked some questions. This only happened that one time. The third experience I had was while sitting in the same spot I got touched. I heard what sounded like a man's voice say "Rodney". Rodney did not hear it, only heard it once. The fourth experience I had was during the last round of investigation. At the part of the top part of the cemetery are three graves marked as "Footo". Matt, Micki and I were heading back to the tent when I felt a presence behind me and it scared me. I felt so scared that I ran up next to Micki to walk with her. I WAS TOO SCARED TO EVEN TALK!!! I felt this presence with me the whole way to the tent, and then Dave Hambly's dog came running out barking. Perhaps Hurley sensed something as well. After she came out barking, it seemed to disappear. The first time I've ever truly been scared on an investigation. That concludes my personal experiences for the Pocahontas Cemetery investigation.

(10/5/10)

Evidence

Photo evidence: There are photos with unexplained orbs, mists, lights.

Video evidence: An unexplained figure, shadow or apparition appears near a headstone and walks away to the left of the headstone.

Note:  BDPS does not support the idea of orbs as evidence of the paranormal because most orbs can be explained away as dust, bugs, rain, mist, fog, etc. There are cases that the orbs we photograph seem to move with some type of intelligent intent. We post these photos because we feel that there needs to be more investigation into the Orb Phenomenon and we shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss this phenomenon without further investigation and explanation. So we show these photos in an attempt to add another piece to the puzzle and leave this decision up to you to accept or dismiss orbs as evidence. It is also my opinion to show all evidence so we all can learn from what might be an area of the paranormal that may be getting over looked by researchers.

 

EVP’s (Electronic Voice Phenomenon)

We heard the following EVP’s (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) and unexplained noises on our DVR’s (Digital Voice Recorders) & Microcassette Recorder:

Lulmay Headstone:

  • Unexplained Breath with an echo
  • Unexplained Inaudible Voice
  • Unexplained Whistle
  • Unexplained Loud Bang & Unknown Noise
  • Unexplained Female Voice (No)
  • Unexplained Inaudible Male Voice
  • Unexplained Growl
  • Unexplained Female Voice (Inaudible_____ who's that girl Inaudible ______)
  • Unexplained Male Voice (Help)
  • Unexplained Giggle
  • Unexplained Male Voice Whispering (Get out)

Top area of cemetery:

  • Unexplained Taping & Whisper
  • Unexplained Humming & Female voice (That's Rodney White)
  • Unexplained Whisper (Rodney)
  • Unexplained Whisper Inaudible
  • Unexplained Multiple Male & Female Voices (We’re not sure he’s dead)

Upper top cemetery Fosters Head Stone near keyboard:

  • Unexplained Click
  • Unexplained Clicks

 

CONCLUSION

     We have come to the conclusion that the Historical Pocahontas Cemetery has very high paranormal activity in the forms of EVP’s, interesting photographic orbs, unexplained mists, audio and video evidence which showed an unexplained apparition or shadow, and unexplained formation of lights or orbs and personal experiences that helped us to determine our conclusion.

           I look forward to our next investigation. If anyone would like for us to do a paranormal investigation of their home, business, church, property or a family cemetery please contact us. If you would just like to speak with us about any paranormal activity you may be having we would love to hear from you. No problem is too small. We would be honored to help and we do not charge for our services. Contact BDPS to set up a time and place for us to discuss your paranormal questions and or problems.

            I feel honored to be working with such a great team. Without the team’s hard work and professionalism BDPS would not be what it has become today.

                            *Check out our Website:

www.blackdiamondps.org

I would like to thank all of the BDPS members for all their hard work. To all of our clients, a special ‘thank you’ for giving us the opportunity to be able to come in and help to the best of our abilities. I know with the team that I have formed we will have exciting investigations in the future. I would like to let everyone know that our members have become more to me than just investigators, they have become my family. Without them BDPS would not be possible. Just like a family we sometimes agree and sometimes we don’t agree but each and every member of BDPS is very special to me. Thanks guys, you all are the best!!!

     I hope everyone enjoys the photos and the analysis sheet along with the new video we are providing. Also we will have our EVP’s, photos and any video evidence on the website for everyone to view and listen to. You can judge for yourself. If anyone has any questions or comments we would love to hear from you. Let us know what you think.

Thank you,

Rodney Shortridge

Founder/Lead Investigator

Black Diamond Paranormal Society

276-988-6690

Heather Lamantia

Case Manager

276-385-2443