Rockdale, IL Home September 2024
On September 16, 2024 the Will County Ghost Hunters Society had the privilege of conducting a paranormal investigation at a home in Rockdale, IL. The home had been vacant and disrepair for several years after the home owner had unexpectedly passed away. The home was being sold and the executor of the estate allowed the WCGHS access to the location for an investigation.
The home was built in 1950. One family had owned it and lived in it the entirety of the seventy four years of its existence. The original owners whom we will refer to as Emily and Paul Smith grandparents), their adult child Mary and her husband Harry, and grandson Tom all lived in the home. Emily and Paul Smith are believed to have passed away in the home, but it could not be confirmed. It has been confirmed, that both Mary and Harry, and their son Tom all passed away in the home. Harry was found by his son Tom (age 13 at the time) in bed and unresponsive. Mary died in the home almost thirty years later. Tom continued to live in the home by myself until he ultimately passed away himself in 2022. The last several years of his life he battled depression and was in poor health. The home became in disrepair and over taken by hoarding. After his passing, home sat vacant for several years afterwards. No one lived in the home or visited it to report any paranormal activity. However, the history of the home seemed like a perfect place where paranormal activity could transpire.
The executor of the estate met the team outside of the home and advised us to use extreme caution do to the poor condition of the home. The last person to reside in the home was Tom, who became a hoarder in this later years and had items and garbage throughout the home leaving it difficult to walk around. The condition of the home begun declining for years prior to his passing and only became worse in the past several years. There were numerous holes in the roof, and everything inside had become damp for the rain getting inside. There were no working utilities working in the home for many years, also attributing to the hazardous conditions. We were let inside and given a tour of the home. The executor then showed us where she found Tom after he passed.
After the tour of the home and its history the WCGHS team decided where to set our equipment up and how to proceed with the investigation. Due to the conditions of the home, we could not gain access to the basement. The executor of the estate has known Tom for well over twenty years was invited to stay for the investigation and precipitate as well. Knowing the owners of the home whom passed, we hoped would increase out attempts at communicating and documenting the possible paranormal activity in the home. During the course of the investigation, a presence was felt by one individual in the area in which Tom spent most of his remaining years, and where he was ultimately found after his passing. We detected nothing unusual in the EMF, Temperature, or Geiger fields. Numerous cameras and audio equipment, including a ghost box were used during the investigation. Nothing noteworthy occurred during the time we were there. After the WCGHS team, as well as the executor felt like we had conducted the investigation to its fullest, so we decided to conclude and start the analysis of the date we had collected.
Shortly after the investigation, the review of cameras and audio files started. There was one photo in which we initially thought could possibly be paranormal in nature. However, after reviewing the additional photos it was determined it was explainable. The cause was nothing more than a reflection caused by the flash of the camera bouncing off an object out of view. This is why the rule of three is important when taking photos on a paranormal investigation. After the review of all the cameras, it was determined no paranormal evidence was captured on them. While, reviewing the audio data collected several possible EVPs were noted. These files were transferred to audio analysis program for further review. We determined that we were able to collect several EVPs and they do correspond to the previous owners of the home. They are as follows.
Shortly after turning on our recorders for the first EVP session, a spirit was picked up. Dan, states the day, time, location and readings. These have been omitted from the audio file to protect the location of the home. Right after this is where the file starts. Immediately, a voice says, “Help.” A few seconds later, Dan says “Is there anyone here with us?”
Within a minute there is a voice at the beginning, but it is unclear what is being said. This is followed up by two male spirits saying, “I’m Harold” I’m Tom”.
No other EVPs were found until the investigation was nearing its end. Dan Asks, ”Can you tell me what happened to you?” Immediately afterwards spirit says, “Bedroom.” This is followed by another spirit saying, “Tom”. Then, a spirit says, “No”, followed by another spirit saying, “Mary.” There are definitely at least two, possibly there spirits on this recording.
After the data was collected and analyzed, it is the WCGHS’s opinion that there are several spirits still in this home. The EVPs directly correlate with those who lived in the home for many years. Now that the home has sold and is being rehabbed, will the spirits move on or still decide to reside in their home? Hopefully the new owner will allow the Will County Ghost Hunters Society back into the home for a follow up investigation sometime in the future.