Made In Chicago: Ghost Investigators
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Inside a dark warehouse basement on Chicago's West side, a group of believers gather and scatter in hopes of connecting with the other side.
"I'd love to see some paranormal activity," Mark Proctor of Michigan told WBBM Newsradio's Lisa Fielding.
"I am definitely a believer in the spirits," said Sharon Zell of Chicago.
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A group of about 12 people gathered in a reportedly haunted venue that used to be a backdrop to Al Capone's outfit.
"You can feel it when you walk in," said Proctor.
"We have a lot of activity here. We have a lot of success down here," said Brian Maloy, Ghost Hunter/Owner, Chicago Ghost Investigations.
Maloy says he became a believer when he was in the military at 19 years old.
"I had an out-of-body experience where I saw my grandfather, and he was dead," he said.
Ever since, he's researched the paranormal and for the last six years, he's offered the experience to others.
"Of course we come here to meet the spirits of the venue, give them a crash course, set them loose at the location," said Maloy.
Armed with sensors, thermal imagers and divination rods which move in response to paranormal activity, investigators look for evidence of spirits.
Maloy says it's all in fun but many truly believe ghosts are among us. "Ghost activity and the paranormal are all around us, it's all around us every day."
The tours explore the mysteries and legends of Chicago's past, a tour of notoriously haunted locations like hotels, abandoned speakeasies and old brothels.
"We go to Excalibur, haunted location, the National Pasttime Theater on Broadway which is a very haunted location," Maloy said.
For many, the experience is a personal one.
"I do believe that people don't pass over and they do linger for whatever reason," said Sharon Zell.
For Maloy, it's his passion and his mission to help people communicate with the other side.
"I think once we have all the answers, we're dead so I'm in no hurry to get all the answers but it's fun to find out what's out there," he said.
The three-hour tours are offered at 8:00 and 11:30. Rates are $35.00-$55.00 per guest.
Corporate or private parties are available at special rates. Reservations are required.
For more information, contact ghostsofchicago.com or call 773-935-6332
