Spooks, scares and spirits in and around Stettler

Stettler Paranormal Independent Research & Investigation Team (SPIRIT) hunting ghosts in central Alberta

Stu Salkeld
Multimedia journalist
KCJ Media Group

What would be the best way to investigate spirits, ghosts and the supernatural in central Alberta? Join a team of smart paranormal detectives itching to get to work in and around Stettler.

Stettler Paranormal Independent Research & Investigation Team (SPIRIT) is looking for budding detectives with an eye for detail and a flair for the paranormal, says owner/operator Lylas McKnight. “Paranormal activity is something that has been in my whole life, making it second nature to me,” said the lead paranormal investigator in a May 2 interview. “Being raised in a family of spiritual women let me learn and explore the paranormal.

“I started my company in 2019 after spending several years going to investigations in other areas of the world such as Waverly Hills Sanitorium in Kentucky, the Ohio State Prison in Ohio and Rose Hall in Jamaica. The one thing I found in common even here in Alberta was that you just followed the investigators around and watched and listened. I wanted to bring a hands on experience to my clients so they could become the investigators.

McKnight said a keen eye and open mind are key to a paranormal investigator’s success, but there are some tools of the trade as well. “I will arrive approximately two hours before an investigation to set up equipment for the evening,” she said. “Depending on the venue size and location will determine what equipment is used. Another determining factor is the experience that we are investigating. Example we are told sounds or voices are often heard in a certain area then we make sure to use digital recorders, ghost boxes and video cameras to help determine if these stories can be proved or debunked. I have a night vision camera system that gets set up throughout the location. Several handheld video camera’s with features like infrared and night vision. The most popular pieces of equipment are the ghost box, which is a box that scans through stations super quickly that spirits can use to communicate with you. Dowsing rods and a light up ghost ball.”

When it comes to investigating the spirit world McKnight noted some locales seem more important than others. “I started off investigating places I have had experiences at,” she said. ‘As the company has grown it has opened up more locations. Starting off with just three locations, courthouse and train Station at the Stettler Town and Country Museum and the Stettler Hotel the first year has lead to four others added.

“Each location has had experiences that draw myself, team and participants back to. I would probably select the train station at the Stettler Museum as the most intriguing with the possible apparition, mimicking of voices and movements and being to get a name on ghost box that had relevance to the building and museum.

“Some of the best things we have captured are the possible apparition whom we think is a lady dressed in purple. This is more compelling as I had a sensitive say a lady in purple was at my house. She did not know about what we captured at the station. The ghost ball lighting up in the Stettler Hotel after a voice coming through the ghost box saying push it and the shadow man and being sworn at with 20 of us there on the ghost box in the courthouse are some of the most clear and interesting evidence we have collected,” said McKnight.

The investigator noted while searching for spirits, investigators may attract more mundane attention. “Paranormal is a touchy subject, on the whole I have had great support and interest from the public,” said McKnight. “Majority of the public are curious and once they know that my approach is more based in evidence than just reactions to the stories they are more open to findings. Over the past six years I have been able to expand my locations due to the fact I approach the stories professionally. I take pride in having a great relationship with my locations and participants, I am insured and give back a percentage to venues to help them with day to day expenses. “I welcome skeptics. It is easy to say it is paranormal but often that bump is just a pipe. To be an investigator you need to look at all possibilities. I believe my work is about both as I do believe there is a spirit world but not all things that are captured are paranormal. It is easy to let fear guide you, especially in a dark building at night,” she added.

McKnight observed that tracking down spirits is only one part of running a small, rural business; another part is optimism. “The first and biggest challenge I faced is and was adversity,” she said. “Paranormal is a subject that evokes strong emotions in some people’s belief system. I still face this at times but the longer I am here and the more venues it has opened up channels of communication. Going to shows and markets has helped by putting a face to the company.

“The trade show was fantastic! I got the chance to explain to people what an investigation entails and why we do them. I had people tell me their experiences and had people question the investigation process. Everyone was respectful and eager to listen. I am working to expand by reaching out to out lying communities, developed merch, and planning some special events this fall.

“I would love to buy a building and set up a store front. Having that would allow me space for retail, workshops and evidence review. There is a long list of locations I would love to explore. One I would love to investigate is the Banff Springs Hotel. There is so much history there and stories of the paranormal,” added McKnight.

To learn more please follow or contact Spiritab the following ways:

email: spiritab.hunters@gmail.com

Website: www.spiritab.com

Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/lylas.mcknight

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@spirit5353