Paranormal Investigation Finds 'Presence' Downtown

Things are just a little off inside This Whole House. Needed items go missing only to be found later in the previously search location, objects are placed on the floor, and some visitors remark on feeling a presence of a young girl — and even a few have witnessed the girl looking over some of the items for sale upstairs. 

She's young, playful and sometimes very sad, according to accounts. 

So when GhostPros from Florida were in the Charleston area, local author Bruce Orr and business owner Judy Thomas asked them to check out the 19th century home. The crew investigated Tuesday night.

"We bit off more than we can chew," Orr said, adding that investigators still have audio and video to search through. 

This Whole House was featured in Orr's book Haunted Summerville for its alleged paranormal activity. No historical records are available for what may have happened in the house, Orr said. 

Orr accompanied investigators Tuesday night and said three people, including himself, were affected by a presence that night. 

"It was just overwhelming sadness," Orr said. "I had to walk out a couple of times."

Thomas has heard the tales since she opened the business, but stayed home that night. She's also had some strange encounters. 

"We have things that happen that we can't explain and that's been happening for nine years," Thomas said. Thomas said some people will feel a "thickness in their throats" in the home. "It's a very nice (presence). It's not threatening." 

In fact, Thomas and her daughter Mecia Humphries have even named the young girl Mary Helen. But Humphries isn't as welcoming of the spirit as her mother. 

"I don't want to believe in it because I don't want to be scared," Humphries said. "I always say, 'Don't show yourself to me.'" 

But even Humphries has had strange encounters. She said when the business first opened, her cousin gave her a prayer to cast out any evil demons. When she read the prayer and got to the line "with the blood of Jesus, I banish any evil" the front door flung open and slammed shut. Since then, she's only rarely felt the benign presence of Mary Helen — but when something feels off, she's out of the house in a jiffy. 

"It doesn't bother me that (sightings don't) happen when I'm here," Humphries said.

Orr said more information will be gathered from video and audio equipment for a complete report at a later date.