S.T.A.R.S. Member - Carla

1.) When and how did you become interested in the paranormal?

I've been interested in the paranormal since I was a child. I lived in an old house located in the old Slavic Village area of East Cleveland. I heard and saw things that no one else could. There were many spirits in that house and I'd give anything to investigate it now.

I used to read every book I could get my hands on about hauntings and ghosts. I remember reading my first 'ghost hunter' book in elementary school. My 5th grad teacher would let a grop of me and my friends stay in at recess time and we would turn off all the lights and play the Ouija board in the dark classroom. Yes, my teacher had a Ouija board mixed in with other various crazy board games. But I learned my lesson and never us it on investigations.

In high school I met Sarah. She and I would talk about the paranormal and share stories of experiences that we had. Sarah and I always wanted to make a career out of our fascination, but getting started was a little difficult. It's not like we have a Hogwarts type paranormal school right here in Cleveland, Ohio. So, we founded S.T.A.R.S.

2.) What was your first experience?

The earliest memory I have dealing with the paranormal was when I was probably around four or five years old. My mom was in the kitchen finishing dinner. My dad, at least we thought, was in the basement working. My mom told me to yell down to my dad and tell him dinner was ready. I remember immediately getting chills just knowing that I had to open the basement door. I stepped onto the dark stairs and called out to my daddy. I didn't get a response. Now, my dad knew I was scared to death of the basement so I thought he was playing around. I remember it was so dark and cold but my mom was not very far. (the door for the basement was in the kitchen) I walked down the stairs about halfway down. I yelled out to my dad again and looked around at what I could see of the basement. I heard my dad call out for me now, but he sounded so far away.

Suddenly, there were flashes of light all around me, like people were taking pictures of me. It got loud, like there was a lot of commotion. I heard my dad calling out for me and the flashes of light started to blind me. I yelled for my dad one last time. Then, the flashing stopped and I didn't hear dad anymore. I ran upstairs and sat down at the dinner table. My mom yelled, "Chuck, Dinner!!" and my dad came walking through the front door and said, "Ok, I'll be right there."

My mom said my first paranormal experience was when I was two years old, but, of course, I don't remember it. She remembers me sitting up at night talking to my grandpa. I described him perfectly and told mom things he told me that I would know. He died years before I was born.

3.) What was your favorite location?

Prospect Place

4.) What is the oddest thing that has happened?

At Prospect Place, in the basement, someone or something kept playing with my hair. I was totally thrilled but at the same time I got annoyed. I wanted to concentrate on the investigation. So, I told it to stop, then it whispered softly in my ear, "Forgive me." Update: At Prospect Place, around 3 in the morning I woke up and in the center of the room a tall thin woman was pointing at me.

5.) Where would you like to investigate?

Here is my Top 5:

1-Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland, 2-Sarah Winchester Mystery House, 3-Waverly Hills Sanitarium, 4-Back to Rolling Hills for a private hunt, 5-East 72nd Street (my old house)

6.) What was your first investigation?

Mansfield, back in the day. We only carried a couple cameras and flashlights.

7.) What is your favorite tool?

Digital Voice Recorder.

8.) Piece of advice.

Be respectful of the living and the dead.

9.) Takes on orbs, Bigfoot, Nessie, human combustion, aliens, cry baby bridge?

Orbs-Confusing.dust and buggies.
Bigfoot-that's just my brother acting like Chewbaca
Nessie-I would love to catch it. I love to fish
Human combustion-possible. still researching.
Aliens-Big world, I think there is something out there.
Cry Baby Bridge-Like Elm Street, every town has one or two of them.

10.) What five dead people would you like to have dinner with?

1-My grandparents
2-Norma Jean Baker
3-John Lennon
4-Irena Sendler
5-Anne Frank

11.) What is your favorite horror movie?

#1 The Exorcist, #2 House of 1,000 Corpses

12.) What kind of music?

Our Lady Peace, Chantal Kreviazuk, Breaking Benjamin, 3 Days Grace, Godsmack.

13.) What are your hobbies?

Collecting skeleton keys and Living Dead Dolls, Researching WW2/Holocaust, reading, and watching horror movies.

14.)Birth date and sign?

Virgo 9/2/80