R.I.P Hans Holzer (January 26, 1920 – April 26, 2009)

While in Costa Rica last week, I managed to escape nature for a few minutes and plug myself back into the virtual world for some quick updates of things I’ve left pending.

One of the messages that stood out in my inbox read “Famous ghost hunter dies”. I really did not expect to read what followed:

“Hans Holzer, whose investigations into the paranormal took him to haunted houses all over the world, most notably the Long Island house that inspired “The Amityville Horror,” died Sunday at his home in Manhattan. He was 89.”

Wow. Mr. Holzer had passed away on April 26, 2009. One of the most respected and for some unknown reason to me, lesser known paranormal researchers.
Hans Holzer is one of the forefathers of parapsychology and paranormal research. He’s written over a hundred books on the subject and conducted equally as many or more investigations.

Although quite shocked at reading the news, I was not sad. Mr. Holzer lived well into his late 80s. Something I’m sure he was thankful for.
He lived his life working on and following his passion.

To me, he was one of the better researchers in the field. Applying science and reasoning to his cases, he would follow cases for months even years on end in order to proclaim if something paranormal was happening and what his clients could do to rid themselves of it.

You’ve read on GhostTheory when we write about how modern television shows or modern day ghost hunters follow the same cookie-cutter style of investigations. Were they show up for a night or two to a supposed haunted location and feel that it is enough time for them to proclaim a place haunted or not.

Researchers like Mr. Holzer would carefully examine all evidence and take time to methodically analyze a location and it’s inhabitants. As we all know, the paranormal is not something that happens 24/7. At times, disturbances can remain dormant for decades.

One of my favorite cases that Mr. Holzer investigated was that of a Elizabeth Bullock. I think it fascinates me because of the simplicity of the case and the grim finale of it. It makes for a great ghost story.

If you get a chance, pick up Mr. Holzer’s most famous books which many in the field consider it like an encyclopedia of the paranormal: