Bill Washell - Director
Bill has been interested in the paranormal and other such phenomenon since childhood. Some of the things that he enjoys are old horror movies like Frankenstein and the Mummy etc. At the age of 20 his mom passed away. Three days later, she appeared to him, sitting on the edge of his bed, just to let him know that everything was ok. To him, she appeared as a real live person. This was a turning point in his life and he became determined to find out how it could happen. Studying many books on the paranormal and occult practices he was on the road to figure out why people stick around after they pass away.
Bill lived in SC and in that time he was able to visit local haunted spots such as old plantations, slave quarters and the famous haunting of Alice in Murrells Inlet. He spent some time in Charleston and took the time to investigate some of the intriguing spots there.
In 1998 he moved to ME and was ready to join a group of paranormal investigators. The only thing holding him back was the fact that no groups existed at that time. So he started his own group called Maine Ghost Hunter Society. (about six months later the name was changed to Maine’s Paranormal Research Assoc or MPRA). The name seemed to fit the group and the style for its members and the rest was history.
The group went through many membership changes and continued to evolve. In 2002, his good friend and fellow paranormal researcher, Nancy (now his wife) joined the group. This was the piece that was missing from the line-up. Through the rebuilding times (as he likes to call them).
They started teaching Ghost hunting classes through adult ed around the state of Maine and found some really good members to join the group. Bill was able to meet and work with some of the top investigators throughout New England and learned from them and to bring that level back to his group.(I would like to thank the groups that I have worked with and became friends with the over the yrs)
One of the things that Bill enjoys working with in the field is EVPS. He feels this is one of the best types of documentations to give proof that there is something out there. Bill has become very good at the art of EVPS and always enjoys helping others in the field when it comes to this research.
MPRA became one of the best in New England. Documentation and the client are top priorities. Bill trained the best paranormal investigators around. The group investigated hundreds of cases, private homes, historic homes, inns, hotels and other public buildings. The case level was at an every weekend level and sometimes 2 cases per weekend. He took his team to the top. Even though he now resides in PA, they were fully capable of forming their own group with all the professionalism he instilled in them. One of his dearest friends and former Director of Investigations, Stacey Farrington, went on to form her own group CMPI Central Maine Paranormal Investigations.
Bill was featured in newspaper articles, tv spots and many, many radio interviews. The local college did a documentary of the group called Chasing the Unexplained (there are DVD's for sale, e-mail Bill for details). Bill and Nancy also have true stories published in Jeff Belanger's book Encyclopedia Of Haunted Places: Ghostly Locales From Around The World
Nancy Washell - Co-Director/Public Relations
Nancy has been investigating and researching the paranormal since 1998. She and Bill have been conferring on cases since that time. In 2001 she joined MPRA as co-Director and helped bring them to the forefront. Several of the stories in Jeff Belanger's book Encyclopedia Of Haunted Places: Ghostly Locales From Around The World were written by Nan. Together Bill and Nancy investigated hundreds of cases, taught classes and gave lectures on how to become a ghosthunter.
As a member of CCPI Nancy is often able to sense the presence of paranormal activity. She has had many experiences of first hand encounters. She is also very skilled with the interview process, managing the groups cases, getting the name out and handling the website.
Barby Trent - Director of Investigations
I am 40 years old and have been married for 21 years to Rick who is a police chief, firefighter and paramedic. We have six children. Three boys and three girls. Our three oldest children are also involved in EMS as firefighters and EMTs. I have been involved in the EMS field for 20 years as a firefighter and EMT. My husband and I have instilled in our children the importance of volunteering and giving to others. I have always been a sucker for a good cause and believe that the paranormal and everything that is unknown about it is about as good a cause as any. I would like to help others in understanding what is going on in their home whether it be paranormal or natural. And to put their minds at ease and to give them comfort in their lives.
I have had many experiences in my own life and in my home. We live in my husband's families homestead that was built in 1893. We are the fifth generation of my husbands family to live here. I am gaining more insight every day just from my own home.
I enjoy reading, writing, and doing crafty things like crocheting, needlepoint, quilting, embroidery, and plastic canvas. I like nature walks, riding bikes, star gazing, hiking, rope repelling, and any out door type activities. I am into music. I love playing my piano and would love to learn how to play the guitar and drums. Even at 40 years old, you still have to set goals in life. That is what keeps you young. I consider life as a learning experience. I know that I have much to learn about the paranormal. And I am an empty page waiting to be filled. I consider the people I am with as the best to teach me what I need to know. They are very knowledgeable and willing to share their knowledge. I don't believe there to be a better group out there to get to the bottom of what is happening. I consider myself very honored to be a part of it.
Nicole (aka Nikki) Campbell - Equipment Tech/Investigator
I am 21 years old and have lived in this area my whole life. I joined CCPI with my friends Ashley and Erin. I have been interested in the paranormal for a long time and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to learn more about it.
I love the internet and photography. I've also done some research for the group which went pretty well.
Erin Houp - Assistant Equipment Tech/Investigator
My name is Erin Houp, I am 22 years old and work in the office of a local grocery store. I've always been fascinated in the paranormal, even when I was little. I guess it's because you don't know what the afterlife is like and to try and figure out why they haven't passed on... that intrigues me.
My first experience with the paranormal was when I lived in Florida. Me and 2 other people went to a place called Kingsly Plantation on Amilia Island. There were claims of hearing the humming of slaves and even banging and footsteps inside the plantation. We went during the day to take a tour of the plantation to learn about the history and the names of the slaves that lived on the plantation. Well we were walking through the house and a friend and I lagged behind to check out one of the rooms and we heard footsteps in the room with us. We both kinda froze and looked at each other and the door slammed shut. There was no one in the hall and when we went to open the door it wouldn't open. So we tried again and then it opened with no problem. We told the tour guide about it and she just laughed and said "Oh I guess you met Olivia" She told us that she was one of the slaves that took care of the 2 little girls who's bedroom was the one we were stuck in. It was pretty interesting.
I wouldn't say that I'm in it to "accomplish" anything, just to be able to go to a place that's "haunted" and try to figure out if it actually is or not. To be able to help someone, who has claims of haunted activity, and have a better understanding of what they're experiencing.
Ashley Wertz - Investigator in Training
My name is Ashley, I am 21 years old, work at a retail store and am a student. Ever since I was little I would see things like what I thought were ghosts. I have always been drawn to the paranormal and hope to learn more about the spirit world.
Laura Gottfried - Investigator
I am a student and a mom. I became interested in the paranormal when my daughter started speaking to spirits at the Mishler Theater and then identified him in a group picture he was in. She was very young and had never heard of him before. I let it go for a while, but when Dolly became interested, my own interest was revived.
In my spare time I enjoy the theatre, doing needlepoint and I'm a big history buff. I think this will help with research on our various cases.
I joined CCPI because I want to learn more about what is out there on the surface. I want to learn the scientific method of paranormal investigation and particularly working with and analyzing EVP's.
Dolly Frye - Investigator
I work full time in a warehouse so team work is a must there and as being part of the CCPI team. I became interested in the paranormal when I took a trip to Gettysburg. I've always been interested in it and when I met Laura, we kind of spurred each other on.
In my spare time I enjoy bowling, reading, traveling, and researching history. I am a huge history buff! I believe this will give me a great perspective on cases and help explain why a place is haunted.
I am really interested in learning the truth and anything I can about ghosts and hauntings and to be able to help people who are being troubled by the paranormal.
Misti Dawn Feathers- Investigator in Training
My name is Misti and I work in a warehouse full time. I have been interested in the paranormal. When CCPI had openings, I didn't get to apply at the same time as my friend Ashley, so I am glad to have this chance to be part of the team.
In my spare time I enjoy fishing, bowling, photography and pool.
I believe my interest in photography will help with our investigations in being able to analyze photos. I want to learn more about ghosts and spirits and why they remain here.
Misty Leigey- Investigator in Training