How did the Spirit Hunters come to be?
The Yuma Spirit Hunters first came into existence in the summer of 1999 when 4 friends,
Richard Burns, Lisa Burns, Donald Swain and Susie Swain were watching a Real
Ghost Hunters Special on TLC at Don’s home in the foothills of Yuma. Don commented
that we could do that if we had the equipment. Richard stated that he could build the
equipment and 2 months later the Yuma Spirit Hunters were officially born. Later Tyler
Swain, Don and Susie’s son, became involved part time with the group. Sadly due to
professional conflicts Richard and Lisa Burns were forced to resign from the team in
February of 2003 however Don and Susie along with JJ and Trudi Schooley have continued the
work of investigating the paranormal phenomena in the Yuma Area.
What Qualifies the Yuma Spirit Hunters to be Paranormal Investigators?
Donald Swain
Operations Director- Don has been actively involved with ghost hunting on and off since
1981. He was hooked when he first attended a ghost hunting workshop put on by Dave
Christens of Nebraska Paranormal Investigations. Although Don was not actively
involved with a group, he has studied everything he could get his hands on concerning ghosts and
haunting as well as the occult.
In real life Don works as a Care giver manager for a local care facility. He has a title
XX degree in Behavioral Studies from University of Nebraska Medical Center, Kearney
Division
In October of 2005 Don also became the Field Reporter for
the Internet Radio Show Ghostly Talk
Susie Swain Paranormal Debunker and
Dowser- Susie is Don’s wife. Susie has also always been interested in the Paranormal
and has the unique ability to be able to set fear aside and go in to the
"unknown" with a very open mind. Susie herself will say that she believes there
is something there but it has to jump up and bite her in the butt to prove it to her.
Susie is invaluable to the team because she is not so quick to jump to the paranormal
reason and is very methodical in proving the photo may not be what we would like it to be.
She in fact keeps the team down to earth so to speak.
JJ
Schooley Assistant Operations Director - JJ has been active in Paranormal
Experiences since his early teen years, with his own personnel experiences within his own
family and his later involvement with groups and individuals in the San Diego, CA area. He
has always searched for the answers to the Paranormal and the origins of UFO's. His
education consists of High School and some college. He is a retired Marine Master Sergeant
having served 23 years with 4 tours overseas. While overseas he gained additional
knowledge of other cultures beliefs in the Paranormal.
In real life JJ is the owner of "Mr. Fix - It since he started it in 1989, which is a
business that specializes in home and business repairs. He has been married to his wife
Trudi since July 1968 after only knowing her for 4 days.
Trudi Schooley As a young child she had no idea that when she saw her dog
laying at the foot of her bed (2 days after she passed) and strange shadows out
of the corner of her eye. Or to be awakened to someone calling her name, could
possibly be more than just a dream. In High school she read every book that Hans
Holzer wrote and studied everything that she could get her hands on. Growing up
in San Diego she visited the Whaley house on a regular basis and anywhere else
that she heard there were ghosts. She wanted to prove to herself that those
shadows were more than a trick of the eye.
Her education consists of High School graduate and some college. Classes in
computers and other education giving through Chrysler.
Now retired after 20 years as the Controller/Office Manager of Fisher Dodge, she
has her own Photography business.
Matt Felix Introducing Matt Felix with a long interest in the
paranormal Matt brings a new view to the Yuma Spirit Hunters. With his law
enforcement background Matt is invaluable as both an investigator and
interviewer. More to come on Matt.
What Role Does Each Person play With the Yuma Spirit Hunters?
Each member of the Yuma Spirit Hunter Team is responsible for completing reports and
assisting with sound, photo and video analysis.
Donald Swain - As operations Director Don is responsible for
contacting and setting up appointments and conducting initial interviews. Don also handles
the Human Relations aspect of the Yuma Spirit Hunters such as TV and Radio appearances.
Don also takes part in putting the investigations together and scheduling the events
making sure that all the legal paper work is in order, such as releases and permits. With
most of the team having conflicting schedules Don tries to be sure that every one possible
can attend an event, and we that have the equipment we need ready and in working order.
Don also has put together a network of Ghost Hunters across the USA and takes care of
referrals from people needing help from other parts of the country. Don’s specialty
in the field is EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) and video photography
Susie Swain- as Dowser Susie enters the area of investigation
first to let the dowsing rods point the direction of the paranormal phenomena. As the rods
react we document the results and compare them to the findings from the other team
members. As a Debunker Susie is very skeptical both in the field and during the analysis
of the gathered information to help us stay on track. Susie also acts as the bookkeeper
for the Teams modest business account. She insures that payments are made on time and that
all expenditures are accounted for.
JJ Schooley - As assistant Operations Director JJ is also responsible for everything Don has going as both JJ and Don have full time jobs it is necessary for them both to work together to set up investigations and take care of the "boring" aspect before the actual event. JJ's knowledge of electronics and equipment is instrumental in keeping the equipment used by YSH in clean working order.
As an investigator with his knowledge of architecture and construction JJ is able to put valuable input into the reports concerning age of structures and noticing remodeling that has been done with the extensive military training as well as medical training JJ also security advisor for the team.
JJ field of expertise is all around but focusing on still photography and information breakdown.
Trudi Schooley- Trudi has the uncanny ability to
read the most boring things and find them entertaining so its only right that
Trudi be the Head Researcher for the team. In the field Trudi uses a Minolta 35mm and produces amazing
results. With her sensitivity to the energy fields found during a paranormal investigation
Trudi is invaluable both as an investigator and Lead Researcher.
Affiliations
The Yuma Spirit Hunters became a recognized group of the following organizations
Taps promises to bring professionalism, personality, and confidentiality to each case
we investigate. We understand that it is tough to call someone like us, and we respect
your right to privacy.
We bring recording devices to your home to capture evidence of paranormal activity, but
they are only used with the homeowner's permission. We will not share or publish any of
the media or any details of the case outside of the close-knit TAPS group. More sensitive
cases will be dealt with by the founders and be held under the most strict confidence.
The Light - A group started by Dave Juliano of the Shadowlands Ghost and Research, Dave
hand picks the members of the Light based on their experience with investigations. Members
of the Light must meet criteria and show Quality, Professionalism and Ethics.
If you have a problem or complaint about this member of the light pleas e-mail us at:
shadowlord@theshadowlands.net and let us know
Thanks, Dave Juliano and Tina Carlson www.theshadowlands.net
he American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena (AA-EVP) is a nonprofit educational association, dedicated to the support of anyone seeking to understand the nature of apparently paranormal information frequently discovered on audio and video recording devices, and known as Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) and Instrumental transcommunication (ITC). The primary purpose of the Association is to facilitate this search for understanding through the sharing of information and ideas among its members and the general public.
Our Dowser Susie is a member of The American Society of Dowsers (ASD) is an open forum embracing those who wish to experience expanded consciousness through the ancient art of dowsing.
Since its origin in 1999 The Yuma Spirit Hunters has worked closely with Debe Branning and the MVD Ghostchasers of Mesa AZ, Having this close relationship between 2 teams has allowed us to bring a combined 30 years experience to our cases.
Media Bio
Television
October 2000 KYMA TV (local NBC affiliate)
Halloween news spot on the Yuma Territorial Prison
With Ray Daudani
May 2001 Segment on the National Inquirer Show Uncovered
Featuring the Historic Yuma Theater, The Connor House and
Timeless Elegance Antiques.
October 2001 KYMA TV (local NBC affiliate)
Series of haunted Halloween specials with Lynn Lamanivong
Featuring the Lee Hotel and the KYMA Studio
October 2001 KYMA TV (local NBC affiliate)
Live remote from the Yuma Theater during a fund raising event.
With Kaushal Patel
KYJT FM 100.9 the Jet (local radio) We have been featured guests several time with Troy
Wild during his Big and Wilde morning show discussing a variety of paranormal happenings
and topics as well as taking live calls on the subjects of ghosts and haunting..
October 2002 KYMA TV (local NBC affiliate) Live ghost hunt
at the Historic Yuma Pump House with Veronica Delacruise
October 2002 KSWT TV (local CBS affiliate) Interview and demonstration of ghost hunting
tactics with journalist Jennifer Blush
October 2003 KYJT FM with Abby during the Morning Show Interview of ghost hunting and ghost stories with EVP.
October 2003 Z93 FM Telling Yuma's Greatest Ghost Stories
October 2004 KYMA TV (Local NBC affiliate) Ghost Tour with the Morning Show.
Print
October 2000 Yuma Daily Sun
Front Page article on the Yuma Spirit Hunters
October 2001 Prospector Magazine Yuma, AZ
Detailed article on the Yuma Spirit Hunters, and the Historic Theater Fundraising Event.
CHI CHI THE GHOST HUNTING DOG
Whenever possible we bring Chi Chi a small terrier cross to our ghost hunts. Like all
animals Chi Chi has the ability to see Orbs and Mist. Animals see in the same spectrum as
our Low lux cameras. They also hear in a very low Db rate. There for they can hear sounds
that we humans can not.
What makes Chi Chi different? Don and Susie took Chi Chi with them when working in a
Cemetery one night Don noticed that Chi Chi would go on point like a hunting dog Don found
this amusing and started snapping pictures of Chi Chi just because it was cute. Don found
that in most of the photographs where Chi Chi was pointing there was believed paranormal
phenomena seen.
Don began working with Chi Chi and honing his ability using the same training techniques
as you would use with an upland game-hunting dog.
Through testing in the appropriate environment Chi Chi has proved to be a valuable tool in
finding paranormal phenomena. As well as a decent guard dog in the fact that he alerts us
if any one is lurking around.
Chi Chi has excellent people skills has had all of his shots and is very well mannered. He
is however very protective of his "mom and dad". Chi Chi is trained to voice
commands as well as whistle and hand signals.