#dontbenormal - be PARANORMAL! ISSUE 15 JACK THE RIPPER ESSENTIAL KIT • the seance of the ripper the ghost ark: • the secret identity of jack can a state of the ripper the art hand held device • the man who never was really detect • has dna finally nailed the presence of jack the ripper? ghosts?

FEATURING: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS • don’t cross the streams! • URI GELLER in search of london’s lost rivers that spoon bending fella! • could LIVE ghost hunting on • ELIJAH WOOD social media change the paranormal “yes i believe in ghosts!” world forever?

“ONE DAY MEN WILL LOOK BACK AND SAY I GAVE BIRTH TO THE TWENTIETH CENTURY"

Contents 04 Wanted: Dead or Alive 14 Dont Cross the Streams 18 Ghoul Britannia with Calamityville Horror 22 Spectral Planes 24 Interview with Uri Geller 28 Idlewells: The Centre of Paranormal Activity? 32 Ark of the Convenient 36 Interview with Elijah Wood 40 The Man Who Never Was 42 Goldenrod with 3 Girls in the

Editor in Chief Dark Paul Stevenson [email protected] 44 When a Doctor Calls Twitter: @hauntedmagazine Art Direction & Design 46 The Seance of Jack the Ripper Andy Soar [email protected] Twitter: @haunteddigital 50 Remembering Ghostwatch with Special Photography E.O. Higgins Paul Mclean

Writing Talent: 57 Has DNA Identified JTR? John Bowen, CL Raven, Mike Covell, E.O. Higgins, Emma Garvican, 62 The Steal by John Bowen Richard Jones, 3 Girls in the Dark, Lee Roberts, Philip Solomon, 68 The Secret Identity of Russell Edwards and R.L. Andrew Jack the Ripper Special Thanks Elijah Wood, 72 Short Story: The Unforgiven Uri Geller, Arfon Jones and of course Jack T Ripper (whoever you are) 75 Emma's Cake Shop of Horrors

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HAUNTED MAGAZINE Mike Covell, a local historian and Ripperologist with an interest in the paranormal investigates an historical ghost story from Hull that was passed on by a suspect in the “Jack the Ripper” case.

ictorian Literature is full of weird and Alive” by Robert D’Onston Stephenson, under his Vwonderful tales, usually involving adventure pen name Roslyn D‘Onston. Many people have said and the unknown; after all it provided great that Ripperology and the Paranormal should be entertainment and escapism from the everyday separate fields, but when studying Stephenson, it lives of the reader. Books would be read at is hard to keep the two fields apart. The story family gatherings or social events and stories first appeared in print in the “Review of Reviews, would be regaled over dinner. Without a doubt the Victorian period was a haven for fantastic New Year’s Extra Number” way back in 1892. Many, works by wonderful authors that stretched the including myself have used this story as a starting imagination and entertained the masses. One point in investigating Robert D’Onston Stephenson story that should be of intrest to any student as it includes several verifiable facts about his of Ripperology or the Paranormal is “Dead or life. The full text of Stephenson’s story reads:

4 HAUNTED MAGAZINE ead or Alive, Review of Reviews or dead!” I said, “Very well then, we will not think that there was any moon, at all D1892. (New Year’s Extra Number). meet, dead or alive.” ‘The next year I was events, at that hour. “Old Bob”, as he was Mr. R. D’Onston sends me the following on the spot a few minutes before the time; always affectionately called, wheeled me communication: ‘To those instances in and, punctual to the stroke of midnight, to the bridge, helped me out of the Bath Real Ghost Stories of ghosts who have Louise arrived. By this time, I had begun to chair, and gave me my crutch. I walked on kept promises made in life to appear to regret the arrangement I had made; but it to the bridge, and leaned my back against those dear to them, may I add my own was of too solemn a nature to be put aside. the white painted top rail, then lighted experience? The incident occurred to me I therefore kept the appointment, but said my briar-root, and had a comfortable some years ago, and all the details can be that I did not care to renew the compact. smoke. ‘I was very much annoyed that I substantiated. The date was August 26th, Louise, however, persuaded me to renew it had allowed myself to be persuaded to 1867, at midnight. I was then residing for one more year, and I consented, much come a second time, and determined to in the neighbourhood of Hull, and held against my will; and we again left each tell “Louise” positively that this should be an appointment under the Crown which other repeating the same formula, “Dead the last meeting. Besides, now, I did not necessitated my repairing thither every or alive”. ‘The next year after that passed consider it fair to Miss K., with whom I was day for a few hours’ duty. My berth was rapidly for me until the first week in July, again negotiating, en rapport to a certain almost a sinecure; and I had been for some when I was shot dangerously in the thigh extent. So, if anything, it was in rather a time engaged to a young North-country by a fisherman named Thomas Piles, of sulky frame of mind that I awaited Louise. heiress, it being understood that on our Hull, a reputed smuggler. A party of four of Just as the quarters before the hour began marriage I should take her name and us had hired his 10 ton yawl to go yachting to chime I distinctly heard the “clink, “stand for the county”, or rather for one of round the Yorkshire coast, and amuse clink” of the little brass heels, which she its divisions. ‘For her sake I had to break ourselves by shooting sea-birds amongst always wore, sounding on the long flagged off a love affair, not of the most reputable the millions of them at Flamborough Head. causeway, leading for 200 yards up to the order, with a girl in Hull. I will call her The third or fourth day out I was shot in bridge. As she got nearer I could see her Louise. She was young, beautiful, and the right thigh by the skipper Piles; and the pass lamp after lamp in rapid succession, devoted to me. On the night of the 26th day after, one and a quarter ounce of No.2 while the strokes of the large clock at Hull August we took our last walk together, and shot were cut there from by the coastguard resounded through the still night. ‘At last a few minutes before midnight paused on surgeon at Bridlington Quay (whose name the patter, patter of the tiny feet sounded a wooden bridge running across a kind I forget for the moment), assisted by Dr. on the woodwork of the bridge, and I saw of canal, locally termed the “drain”. We Alexander Mackay, at the Black Lion her distinctly pass under the lamp at the paused on the bridge, listening to the Hotel. The affair was in all the papers at farther end - it was only twenty yards wide, swirling current against the wooden piles the time, about a column of it appearing and I stood under the lamp at my side. and waiting for the stroke of midnight to in the Eastern Morning News, of Hull. ‘As When she got close to me I saw that she part forever. In the few minutes’ interval soon as I was able to be removed (two or had neither hat nor cape on, and concluded she repeated, sotto voce, Longfellow’s three weeks) I was taken home, where Dr. that she had taken a cab to the farther end Bridge, the words of which, “I stood on Kelburne King, of Hull, attended me. The of the flagged causeway, and (it being a the bridge at midnight”, seemed terribly day - and the night - (the 26th August) very warm night) had left her wraps in the appropriate. After nearly twenty-five came. I was then unable to walk without cab, and for purposes of effect had come years I can never hear that piece repeated crutches, and that for only a short distance, the short distance in evening dress. “Clink, without feeling a deathly chill and the so had to be wheeled about in a Bath chair. clink” went the brass heels, and she seemed whole scene of two souls in agony again The distance to the trysting being rather about passing me, when I, suddenly urged rising before me. Well! midnight struck, long, and the time and circumstances by an impulse of affection, stretched out and we parted; but Louise said: “Grant me being very peculiar, I did not avail myself my arms to receive her. She passed through one favour, the only one that I shall ever of the services of my usual attendant, but them, intangible, impalpable, and as she ask you on this earth, promise to meet specially retained an old servant of the looked at me I distinctly saw her lips move, me here twelve months to-night at this family, who frequently did confidential and form the words, “Dead or alive”. I even same hour.” I demurred at first, thinking commissions for me, and who knew Miss heard the words, but not with my outward it would be bad for both of us, and only Louise well. We set forth “without beat of ears, with something else, some other re-open partially healed wounds. At last, drum”, and arrived at the bridge about a sense - what, I know not. I felt startled, however, I consented, saying: “Well, I will few minutes to midnight. I remember that surprised, but not afraid, until a moment come if I am alive!” but she said, “Say alive it was a brilliant starlight night, but I do afterwards, when I felt, but could not see,

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 5 some other presence following her. I as she kept repeating “Dead or Alive! Shall story was passed along from Miss Estelle could feel, though I could not hear, the I be there?” to the utter bewilderment Stead. The story that Tweedale publishes heavy, clumsy “thud” of feet following of her friends, who could not divine is a word for word reprint of the “Dead her; and my blood seemed turned to her meaning, being of course entirely or Alive” story carried in the Review of ice. Recovering myself with an effort, I unaware of our agreement.’ Reviews. Tweedale makes no attempt shouted out to “Old Bob” who was safely to analyze the story, he just presents it ensconced with the Bath chair in a nook Note; For simplicity we shall call has evidence that there is life after death out of sight round the corner. “Bob, who this version “Dead or Alive 1” and that on occasion those that have passed you just now?” In an instant the passed return to carry out unfinished old Yorkshireman was by side. “Ne’er a y 1897 William T. Stead released business. He does mention that the one passed me, sir!” “Nonsense, Bob,” I Bthe collections of ghost stories story came from Miss Estelle Stead, replied, “I told you that I was coming to from Christmas and New Year Review daughter of William T Stead and it was meet Miss Louise, and she just passed me of Reviews 1891 and 1892. It was the William T Stead who created the Review on the bridge, and must have passed you, first time the collection had been made of Reviews in 1890, and published the because there’s nowhere else she could available as Real Ghost Stories and More “Dead or Alive” story in the 1892 edition go! You don’t mean to tell me you didn’t Real Ghost Stories had been available we see above. By the 1920’s Hereward see her?” The old man replied solemnly, for some time, with the new collection Carrington released Phantasms of the “Maister Ros, there’s something uncanny simply entitled Real Ghost Stories. A Dead or True Ghost Stories, a collection aboot it. I heerd her come on the bridge, later edition was also published by of ghost stories and tales of the and off it, I’d knaw them clicketty heels Estelle Stead, William’s daughter, in supernatural and published by American onywhere; but I’m dommed, sir, if she 1921, but Estelle had commentary on Universities Publishing Company. The passed me. I’m thinking we’d better gang.” some stories and removed others. The book featured Stephenson’s “Dead or And “gang” we did; and it was the small version contained within Real Ghost Alive” story in chapter More Phantasms hours of the morning (getting daylight) Stories was exactly the same as the of the Dead II on page 128. Carrington before we left off talking over the affair, original version featured in Review features the original story, word for and went to bed. ‘The next day I made of Reviews 1892. (New Year’s Extra word, as featured in Review of Reviews inquiries from Louise’s family about Number). By October 1909 the first 1892. (New Year’s Extra Number) her, and ascertained that she had died edition of Rev. Charles Tweedale’s book and states that he got the story from in Liverpool three months previously, Man’s Survival after Death Vol 1 was William T. Stead’s Real Ghost Stories. being apparently delirious for a few published by the Psychic Book Club. In Carrington introduces the story with a hours before her death, and our parting the book Tweedale introduces the work note stating, In the following case the compact evidently weighing on her mind, of Mr. R. D’Onston, and states that the ghost kept its promise to appear- doing

6 HAUNTED MAGAZINE so, to all appearances, in spite of great n the night of the 26th August we obstacles. By the 1930’s Crime Write and Dissecting “Dead or Alive 1” Otook our last walk together, and a newspaper reporter Bernard O’Donnell few minutes before midnight paused on had been collecting information on a ow let us look at the writings of a wooden bridge running across a kind project that we have become to know as NStephenson, concentrating on each of canal, locally termed the “drain”. We the O’Donnell Manuscript, which looks section, paused on the bridge, listening to the at the alleged Black Magic aspects of the swirling current against the wooden piles murders. In the manuscript O’Donnell r. R. D’Onston sends me the and waiting for the stroke of midnight to publishes a different version of the story. Mfollowing communication: ‘To part forever. This version is one which was related to those instances in Real Ghost Stories of ghosts who have kept promises made in n Kingston upon Hull we have him by Vittoria Cremers after O’Donnell several of these “drains” the closest to was introduced to Cremers on her life to appear to those dear to them, may I I add my own experience? The incident Stephenson’s home at that moment in birthday in 1935. occurred to me some years ago, and all time was situated just 15 minutes West at about a distance of 1,000 feet. In fact, “As a young man, D’Onston held a the details can be substantiated. The date if one was to stand at the rear of the site commission in the army. He came from a was August 26th, 1867, at midnight. I of Willows House, 60 Church Street, fairly well off yeoman family, and it was was then residing in the neighbourhood they would have seen the bridge over the generally understood that he would marry of Hull, and held an appointment drain. the daughter of a wealthy neighbouring under the Crown which necessitated my repairing thither every day for a family who was very much in love with hese drains were created to channel few hours’ duty. My berth was almost him. However, on one of his jaunts to runoff water from Kingston upon a sinecure; and I had been for some T town with some of his brother officers he Hull and surrounding areas into the River time engaged to a young North-country met a woman of the streets named Ada. Hull, and many of these exist today, and heiress, it being understood that on our He began to visit her regularly, fell in love although the water runs fast, it is actually marriage I should take her name and with her and Gissing-like, determined very rare to hear the “swirling current “stand for the county”, or rather for one of to marry her, and take her away from against the wooden piles”, however, it its divisions. her miserable life. Understandably, his is also difficult to review just what the family was appalled. His father cut off his t was during this period that drains were like back then and recent allowance. Always a gambler, D’Onston IStephenson was employed as a research by myself in the summer of lost a lot of money at the tables one night “Clerk” at the Hull Custom’s House, 2009 showed that wooden piles did exist and, unable to pay his debts was forced to Whitefriargate, Hull. A position that on at least one of the Barmston Drain seek his father’s help. His father agreed to required the staff to work from 10 o’clock bridges. The peel of the bells at midnight discharge those debts, on one condition- in the morning until 4 o’clock in the still take place, from the City Centre he undertook to end his association with afternoon. There is however no proof of Kingston upon Hull, but during this Ada and marry the heiress. Reluctantly, of the North Country Heiress, in fact period, there were many more churches, D’Onston agreed. And so D’Onston and Stephenson married his Brother Richard’s the closest to this spot being St. Silas, Ada parted, but not before they had made servant Anne Deary! on Barmston Street but this presents us with another problem. The church was a solemn pledge that whatever happened, ‘For her sake I had to break off a love not commissioned until 1869, and not dead or alive, they would meet at midnight affair, not of the most reputable order, consecrated until 1871, several years after on the anniversary of their parting at with a girl in Hull. I will call her Louise. the proposed event. It is quite possible the place where they had first met - the She was young, beautiful, and devoted to that Stephenson heard the bells of St middle of Westminster Bridge. Then- me. Mary’s, Lowgate in the town centre, tragedy. Within half an hour of D’Onston’s or the bells of the old town hall. St departure, Ada walked to Westminster o is her name Ada or Louise? We Mary’s church, where Stephenson was Bridge and threw herself into the river. Smust assume her actual name is Ada, christened, stood north of this bridge on True to his vow, D’Onston kept his tryst as this is the name he gave to her when the corner of Air-street and Wincolmlee with the dead woman on Westminster recounting the story to Mabel Collins, but it is unclear whether any of these Bridge. He leant over the parapet where who had recounted the story to Vittoria locations had bells during this period. Ada flung herself to her death twelve Cremers, who in turn had recounted it to months before. As the chimes of Big Ben Bernard O’Donnell. That, coupled with n the few minutes’ interval she sounded, he heard click clack of heels the fact that Stephenson states “I will Irepeated, sotto voce, Longfellow’s coming towards him. He saw nothing, no call her Louise” indicating that it is not Bridge, the words of which, “I stood on one, but he knew that Ada, too had kept her real name. That said, the name Ada the bridge at midnight”, seemed terribly her promise” could be fictitious too as all we have is appropriate. After nearly twenty-five the recollections of Collins, Cremers and years I can never hear that piece repeated Note; We shall call this “Dead or O’Donnell, which was recounted many without feeling a deathly chill and the Alive 2” years after the fact. whole scene of two souls in agony again

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 7 rising before me. The reference to “The much against my will; and we again left and circumstances being very peculiar, I Bridge” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow each other repeating the same formula, did not avail myself of the services of my contains the following excerpt, “I stood “Dead or alive”. usual attendant, but specially retained an on the bridge at midnight, As the clocks old servant of the family, who frequently were striking the hour, And the moon ow the first paragraph of the “Dead did confidential commissions for me, and rose o’er the city, Behind the dark church- Nor Alive” story mentions, who knew Miss Louise well. tower.” “The incident occurred to me some p until this point we know of only a his is undoubtedly what Stephenson years ago, and all the details can be Uhandful of servants that the family Tis referring to when he mentions the substantiated. The date was August 26th, used at their property Willows House. poem, which is interesting and which 1867, at midnight.” will become pertinent later. e set forth “without beat of drum”, ne year later gives us August 26th Wand arrived at the bridge about ell! midnight struck, and we O1868, and we know from several a few minutes to midnight. I remember Wparted; but Louise said: “Grant me newspaper reports, that Stephenson was that it was a brilliant starlight night, but one favour, the only one that I shall ever shot in the leg aboard a Smack in the I do not think that there was any moon, ask you on this earth, promise to meet North Sea off the coast of Flamborough at all events, at that hour. “Old Bob”, as he me here twelve months to-night at this and Bridlington. Now if this is a known was always affectionately called, wheeled fact that appeared in the press! So same hour.” I demurred at first, thinking me to the bridge, helped me out of the Stephenson claims the wrong year for his it would be bad for both of us, and only Bath chair, and gave me my crutch. I shooting, is this mistake on his part, or re-open partially healed wounds. At last, walked on to the bridge, and leaned my is it something else? Is this evidence of however, I consented, saying: “Well, I will back against the white painted top rail, Stephenson lying about the facts to create come if I am alive!” but she said, “Say then lighted my briar-root, and had a a good story, and how could he be silly alive or dead!” I said, “Very well then, we comfortable smoke. enough to mention the newspaper report will meet, dead or alive.” in the story? Another verifiable fact: his is interesting due to the fact ‘The next year after that passed rapidly it is very similar to a quote from ‘I was very much annoyed that I had T for me until the first week in July, when “The Lovers of Porthangwartha” which allowed myself to be persuaded to come I was shot dangerously in the thigh by a predates Stephenson’s encounter with the a second time, and determined to tell fisherman named Thomas Piles, of Hull, foreword to the 3rd edition being written “Louise” positively that this should be a reputed smuggler. A party of four of us in March 1881. The poem states, the last meeting. Besides, now, I did not had hired his 10 ton yawl to go yachting consider it fair to Miss K., with whom “In this cove the lovers met for the last round the Yorkshire coast, and amuse I was again negotiating, en rapport to a time in life, and vowed under the light ourselves by shooting sea-birds amongst certain extent. of the full moon, that living or dead they the millions of them at Flamborough would meet at the end of three years.” This Head. The third or fourth day out I was o far all traces to find a “Miss. K, a is almost the same as, “I consented, saying: shot in the right thigh by the skipper S“North Country Heiresses, and it is “Well, I will come if I am alive!” but she Piles; and the day after, one and a quarter possible that Stephenson was already said, “Say alive or dead!” I said, “Very well ounce of No.2 shot were cut there from involved in a relationship with Anne then, we will meet, dead or alive.” by the coastguard surgeon at Bridlington Deary, his Brothers Servant! After all she Quay (whose name I forget for the was quick to jump to his aid in 1863. he poem is part of a series of Myth’s moment), assisted by Dr. Alexander TLegends and Ghost stories from the Mackay, at the Black Lion Hotel. The o, if anything, it was in rather a Cornwall area of Britain, and is entitled, affair was in all the papers at the time, Ssulky frame of mind that I awaited “Popular Romances of the West of about a column of it appearing in the Louise. Just as the quarters before the Britain” Eastern Morning News, of Hull. See hour began to chime I distinctly heard the chapter “Dissecting the incident at the “clink, clink” of the little brass heels, The next year I was on the spot a few Flamborough Head,” for details on this. which she always wore, sounding on the ‘minutes before the time; and, punctual ‘As soon as I was able to be removed (two long flagged causeway, leading for 200 to the stroke of midnight, Louise arrived. or three weeks) I was taken home, where yards up to the bridge. As she got nearer By this time, I had begun to regret the Dr. Kelburne King, of Hull, attended I could see her pass lamp after lamp in arrangement I had made; but it was of me. The day - and the night - (the 26th rapid succession, while the strokes of the too solemn a nature to be put aside. I August) came. I was then unable to large clock at Hull resounded through therefore kept the appointment, but said walk without crutches, and that for only the still night. ‘At last the patter, patter of that I did not care to renew the compact. a short distance, so had to be wheeled the tiny feet sounded on the woodwork Louise, however, persuaded me to renew about in a Bath chair. The distance to the of the bridge, and I saw her distinctly it for one more year, and I consented, trysting being rather long, and the time pass under the lamp at the farther end

8 HAUNTED MAGAZINE - it was only twenty yards wide, and I felt startled, surprised, but not afraid, delirious for a few hours before her stood under the lamp at my side. When Iuntil a moment afterwards, when I felt, death, and our parting compact she got close to me I saw that she had but could not see, some other presence evidently weighing on her mind, as she neither hat nor cape on, and concluded following her. I could feel, though I could kept repeating “Dead or Alive! Shall I that she had taken a cab to the farther not hear, the heavy, clumsy “thud” of be there?” to the utter bewilderment end of the flagged causeway, and (it being feet following her; and my blood seemed of her friends, who could not divine a very warm night) had left her wraps turned to ice. Recovering myself with an her meaning, being of course entirely in the cab, and for purposes of effect effort, I shouted out to “Old Bob” who unaware of our agreement.’ had come the short distance in evening was safely ensconced with the Bath chair dress. “Clink, clink” went the brass in a nook out of sight round the corner. here is another version of the story, heels, and she seemed about passing me, “Bob, who passed you just now?” In an Talbeit a little more modern, which when I, suddenly urged by an impulse instant the old Yorkshireman was by side. takes the “Liverpool” element and creates of affection, stretched out my arms to “Ne’er a one passed me, sir!” “Nonsense, its own story based on the same premise. receive her. She passed through them, Bob,” I replied, “I told you that I was intangible, impalpable, and as she looked coming to meet Miss Louise, and she at me I distinctly saw her lips move, just passed me on the bridge, and must Dissecting Dead or Alive 2 and form the words, “Dead or alive”. I have passed you, because there’s nowhere “As a young man, D’Onston held a even heard the words, but not with my else she could go! You don’t mean to tell outward ears, with something else, some commission in the army. He came me you didn’t see her?” The old man other sense - what, I know not. from a fairly well off yeoman family, replied solemnly, “Maister Ros, there’s and it was generally understood that he his is a typical paranormal something uncanny aboot it. I heerd would marry the daughter of a wealthy Tapparition and is known as a “Crisis her come on the bridge, and off it, I’d neighbouring family who was very much Apparition” in which a spirit, returns knaw them clicketty heels onywhere; but in love with him. However, on one of his to finish off what he or she failed to I’m dommed, sir, if she passed me. I’m jaunts to town with some of his brother do in life. Crisis Apparitions usually thinking we’d better gang.” And “gang” officers he met a woman of the streets have a close emotional tie to the viewer. we did; and it was the small hours of the named Ada. Another possible suggestion is that of an morning (getting daylight) before we left Apparition of the Dead, which is again, off talking over the affair, and went to ow if this account is true, we have someone who has had an emotional tie to bed. ‘The next day I made inquiries from NRobert D’Onston Stephenson being the viewer. This apparition is said to have Louise’s family about her, and ascertained involved with two separate ladies of died recently and wishes to return to pass that she had died in Liverpool three the night, both of which had died, as a information across to a loved one. months previously, being apparently result of him!! One having pneumonia

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 9 and one throwing herself off a bridge! ow the location has changed Stephenson’s name only appeared on the Nfrom Hull to London, a suitable Muster Rolls of the Bishopgate Institute, replacement bridge is needed, so there is no evidence to suggest he we have Westminster Bridge, which actually left the British Isles, and further spanned the River Thames. more no evidence to suggest he actually fought. rue to his vow, D’Onston kept his Ttryst with the dead woman on nother interesting point is the Westminster Bridge. He leant over the Achange of the lover, her name now parapet where Ada flung herself to her appearing as Ada, and no longer Louise death twelve months before. As the as featured in “Dead or Alive 1”. chimes of Big Ben sounded, he heard click clack of heels coming towards him. e began to visit her regularly, fell He saw nothing, no one, but he knew Hin love with her and Gissing- that Ada, too had kept her promise” like, determined to marry her, and take her away from her miserable life. Understandably, his family was appalled. Dead or Alive- A Paranormal His father cut off his allowance. Always view a gambler, D’Onston lost a lot of money at the tables one night and, unable s a local historian with an interest to pay his debts was forced to seek Ain paranormal investigation, I his father’s help. His father agreed to have had numerous experiences with discharge those debts, on one condition- groups and individuals on paranormal he undertook to end his association with investigations, as well as experiences Ada and marry the heiress. Reluctantly, that I have encountered with my D’Onston agreed. wife, friends, and family. Whilst most investigations proved fruitless, some gain we have a fascinating story offered a tantalizing look into the other occurrence. The research also looked regarding Stephenson’s proposed side, and often left the witness, electrical A into hallucinations connected with other marriage to an Heiress, yet we know fixtures and equipment reeling, and that he married his brother’s servant mysteries that needed solving. These stimulants such as tea, chocolate and Anne Deary! Another interesting factor ranged from alleged poltergeist activity products containing excessive amounts is how Stephenson had money for his to alleged hauntings by what many of caffeine. The research also examined gambling, if we are to believe this story would call ghosts, a number of sightings childhood trauma and stress, which he was enrolled in the Army, the muster also occurred, but little hard core proof was also said to affect the hallucinations rolls date from 1859, and as far as can was gained. Light anomalies which had by the test subject. Stimulants that be ascertained Stephenson had no job where present on film and photographs could well trigger hallucinations also prior to this. Even as a clerk of the HM could have been nothing more than include tobacco, nicotine, prescription Customs, Stephenson would not have dust or insects, shadows seen during medicines and illegal drugs and it had a great wage, to gamble with. His the investigations could have been the should be noted, at least from personal liaisons with Deary could have begun as mind playing tricks, and the power of observations made over years of far back as 1863, when she came to his the mind, and its ability to fill in the paranormal investigations, most groups aid at the Customs House in Hull. blanks also played a factor. On more take flasks of coffee, and energy drinks than one occasion I, along with my wife to keep them alert during the night. nd so D’Onston and Ada parted, and friends, heard footsteps in an empty One of the side effects of prolonged Abut not before they had made a building, doors opening and closing on stimulant abuse is the loss of appetite, solemn pledge that whatever happened, their own, and objects, such as heavy a condition that Robert D’Onston dead or alive, they would meet at chairs, moving on their own with no Stephenson was said to suffer, and was midnight on the anniversary of their visible force. A recent study by Durham witnessed by Vittoria Cremers. George parting at the place where they had first University investigated the link between Marsh and Inspector Thomas Roots met - the middle of Westminster Bridge. hallucinations and caffeine intake and had also discussed Robert D’Onston Then- tragedy. Within half an hour of discovered that people who drank more Stephenson’s alleged drug use and D’Onston’s departure, Ada walked to than 7 cups of coffee a day where more alcohol addictions, whilst Stephenson Westminster Bridge and threw herself likely to hallucinate and hear voices, even wrote in the “Dead or Alive” story into the river. mistaking them for a paranormal that he had stopped to smoke his pipe

10 HAUNTED MAGAZINE how come a man who wrote so much on the unexplained never mentioned this? In an age of spiritualism he could have made money from this gift, but this apparently never happened. Could it be, that in a state of excitement and anticipation, Stephenson created a “Thought form”? A Thought form is allegedly the manifestation of mental energy that can take the form of whatever the creator is thinking about. Annie Besant, the Theosophist and woman’s rights activist, wrote a book with fellow theosophist Charles W Leadbeater based on the idea of creating images through thought. Thought Forms, was released in 1901, and was based around the idea that thoughts have two effects, “a radiating vibration and a floating form”. Besant and Leadbeater divided their thought forms into three different classes,

That which takes the image of the thinker.

That which takes the image of some material object.

That which takes a form entirely its own, on the bridge. The experience that The apparition of “Louise” expressing its inherent qualities in the Robert D’Onston Stephenson claims to matter which it draws round it. have had, whilst it has been reported eeing an apparition is pretty common, elsewhere, it is a rarity. Stephenson Salthough scientists, paranormal n the 1970’s, Canadian reported several paranormal events investigators and sceptics are unsure Iparapsychologists at the Toronto whilst he stood on the bridge, these are, what these are, but what did Stephenson Society for Psychical Research, under see? He claims he could make out the direction of A. R. G. Owen and Iris The lamps going out as “Louise” passed “Louise” and what she was wearing, yet Owen, created a fictional person named them, there were no other witnesses to the “Philip.” The team, who had no psychic The apparition of “Louise” event. Could Stephenson, in a moment powers, created a story about a 16 year of excitement imagined “Louise” on old boy called Philip Aylesford, giving The sound of the footsteps approaching, the bridge approaching? Could it be him a date of birth, and creating stories The voice of “Louise” possible that Stephenson had a form of Civil War Battles, friendships with of Clairvoyance? Clairvoyance means King Charles II, and a love affair with a We shall look at these “Seeing clear” and is a trait attributed to gypsy girl. The affair was discovered, and individually. psychics and mediums. The term was the gypsy girl was burned at the stake coined in the 17th century and during he lamps going out as “Louise” for witchcraft, leaving Philip alone and passed them, the Spiritualist movement it was a much hurting, with him taking his own life T witnessed and debated phenomena. in 1654. The group gathered regularly pparitions causing lights to go out is Within the field of Clairvoyance is from September 1972 to hold sittings to Acommon place, it is suggested that claircognizance, which is to know make contact with Philip, but for several spirit can draw energy from electricity, something is about to happen, almost months nothing happened. Eventually but these were gas lamps, and while spirit like extra sensory perception. Did table tipping was attempted, and Philip is known to be able to affect flame, it is Stephenson know that “Louise” was made contact, sometimes moving the usually done to make the flame flicker, dead, and witnessed her apparition? It table, on other occasions tapping in grow or extinguish. Never to extinguish is impossible to tell, but what is puzzling response to questions. It should be again and re-ignite! (Gas lamps in Sculcoates) is this, if Stephenson had such a gift, pointed out that Philip did not exist, he

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 11 was a fictional creation, not a real person, yet here he was making contact. Soon the created details began slipping out to the group, with the group catching the table moving on video tape in 1974. They had created their own thought form. Could it be that Stephenson experienced a thought form, based on his eagerness to see Louise once again?

The sound of the footsteps approaching,

udible phenomena are pretty common during Aparanormal investigations and what Stephenson describes are the footsteps of “Louise” on the bridge. A sound he had heard the two previous years and was obviously familiar with. It is also worth noting that there was no other witness to the event, but more telling is that the encounter took place on a wooden bridge over a drain. Could Stephenson have heard what he thought were footsteps? Whilst this is possible, it is difficult to rule out as Stephenson had apparently encountered related phenomena at the same time. So the question stands, did Stephenson have a paranormal encounter, was it natural sounds on the bridge, such as the water’s hitting the wooden piles, or was it a fictional piece?

The voice of “Louise”

obert D’Onston Stephenson describes “Hearing the Rvoice inside” which a familiar attribute to a psychic condition known as “Clairaudience” which means “Clear Hearing”. It is alleged that people gifted with mediumistic abilities can hear the dead speak to them. There are two types of Clairaudience, which we shall look at closer. Subjective Clairaudience is the hearing of voices and noises internally. Objective Clairaudience is the hearing of the voices and noises externally. Stephenson claims he had a Subjective Clairaudience experience, has “old Bob” never heard the voice, which although pretty common, is puzzling. Why did he never mention he had this “Gift”? A man with his ability to “Spin a yarn” could have made a fortune in the age of spiritualism. Or did Stephenson create this aspect to make the story more exciting? As no MIKE COVELL is a local historian, born, bred other events were recorded, it is possible that it was created and based in Kingston upon Hull. He has had an by Stephenson to further make the story exciting. interest in the paranormal since he was eight years old and has spent years collecting stories on all aspects of the unexplained. He has So what about the Ripper connection? appeared in and advised on BBC Radio Humberside, n the Autumn of 1888 Robert D’Onston Stephenson was BBC Look North, ITV Calendar, Rippercast Podcast, Iin the Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel, when the Ripper Radio, Ripperologist Magazine, Casebook murders occurred. He wrote letters to the police and the Examiner, Hull Daily Mail, Hull Advertiser, press and discussed the case with people such as George Beverley Guardian, Cottingham Times, Holderness Marsh, an out of work ironmonger, who believed he was Gazette, and many more. He recently advised on “Jack the Ripper.” and appeared in Prime Suspect: Jack the Ripper, and in the latest series of Most Haunted. He is a e certainly was an interesting man, and his story published author with 9 books published and more Hhas inspired me so much that I took a visit to the on the way. He is currently contracted to advise bridges over the Barmston Drain to conduct a paranormal on and appear in several Hollywood movies and investigation, but that, as they say, is another story. television shows.

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To book your break or find out more VISIT www.sherwoodhideaway.com or CALL 01623 824 594 The Sherwood Hideaway, Blyth Road, Perlethorpe, Newark, Notts NG22 9EB DON’T CROSS THE STREAMS THE SEARCH FOR LONDON’S LOST RIVERS

Dozens of rivers and canals But outside St Pancras Old Hampstead and Highgate were buried beneath Church is a plaque showing a Ponds, in north London. London’s streets more than sketch of people in that exact But these days it is swiftly a century ago but how do spot bathing on the banks of submerged, becoming a they look today? From the the Fleet in 1827. The river is sewer that flows to Blackfriars busy pedestrian striding one of many in London that Bridge on the River Thames. above them to the fast car was converted into a sewer as motoring along they will the capital’s population grew. Of all the ways to get in touch be unaware of what lies with London’s history, sticking “Wherever you live, not far your nose in a sewer might not beneath them. To find traces from your doorstep, you can seem the most appealing. The of them you’ll need to have probably track down a hidden River Fleet is one of at least a good ear, know where to river you never would have five lost rivers that threaded look and visit some unlikely guessed would be there,” says through London until the mid- places. Alex Werner, head of history 19th Century. Most were built collections at the Museum of over as the city expanded, Among the congested traffic London. of central London’s St Pancras disappearing below pavement or merging with the new Road, around the corner “It’s a shame so many Victorian-era sewage system. from the glass and steel rivers were buried - today Today, they have taken on skyscrapers of the Euston they would enhance the mythical status, watery ghosts Road, it is hard to imagine a landscape,” says Paul Talling, who has written a book on whose presence is now often river once ran through grassy only marked by street names fields. London’s lost rivers. “But at the time it was necessary - in dating back to when the rivers pre-Victorian times, they were were above ground. “Today, in many parts used as open sewers.” If you find yourself desperate to of the city you could be The Fleet is probably one of find these missing rivers head the better known rivers that to a manhole on Farringdon standing within inches lies beneath Londoners’ feet. Road, the one with the funny of one of its lost rivers Vestiges of it can be traced smell and beneath the manhole above ground by following a well that’s a different kettle of and not even realise it.” modest stream that flows from fish, smelly fish at that.

14 HAUNTED MAGAZINE While the Thames is well known, at least five waterways have disappeared under the city’s pavement over time, becoming watery ghosts whose rumbling waters can still be heard.

Once you get over the smell, The Fleet was once a broad you began to appreciate WHAT HAPPENED TO THE tidal basin, several hundred the 150 year-old Victorian LOST RIVERS? feet wide when it reached brickwork remains in a the Thames, but like many surprisingly preserved state. River Fleet - Became of London’s other rivers, its polluted as Smithfield flow greatly reduced as the “The atmospheric conditions butchers threw remains city’s population grew and it are pretty constant so of dead animals into the became an open sewer. you don’t need to do river, and was eventually much maintenance on the incorporated into the sewer “The area became unpleasant brickwork,” says Thames system and the land became cheap,” Water’s field operations Mr Talling says. manager Daniel Brackley. River Tyburn - Flowing through Regents Park under In fact, the Fleet’s reputation Heavy, rusty rings line the Buckingham Palace, the for slum dwellings, crime tunnel walls. “It’s purely river was once reputed to and disease was such that speculation but some people have some of London’s best Charles Dickens based say the rings are from when salmon fishing people tied up barges against Fagin’s Den in Oliver Twist in the area it flowed through. the river bank,” he says. River Walbrook - Its name is thought to derive from the fact London’s rivers have Following the Great Fire the river ran under the Roman of London in 1666, the been through massive London Wall transformation over the capital’s rivers became centuries. River Westbourne - Remains integral to Christopher Wren’s of the river flow through a redevelopment plans for the “Back in the early days they pipe running above Sloane city. were used for drinking and Square Tube station fishing,” says Mr Talling. “The “The vision was to have springs fed wells such as River Effra - Banks of the canals with arch bridges like Clerkenwell, where the clerks Oval cricket ground were built Venice,” Mr Talling says. “But of the parish would drink with earth excavated during in reality, the sewage meant it water.” the enclosing of the river just got clogged up.”

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 15 DON’T CROSS THE STREAMS: THE SEARCH FOR LONDON’S LOST RIVERS

Sections began to be covered and, following the Great Stink of 1858, were incorporated Joseph Bazalgette’s designs for the sewer system that remains today.

The rivers may now be subterranean but their impact on London’s landscape remains.

“You can see the shape created by the Fleet Valley on the Farringdon Road,” says Mr Talling, who organises walking tours along some of the lost rivers’ paths.

Meanwhile, borders between different parts of “But the water from the On a Saturday afternoon Hampstead, before flowing the capital owe much to its Westbourne became too in September 1954, along through Regent’s Park then buried waterways. polluted, so in the end they the path of the river, what is into the Thames at Pimlico - had to pipe it under the widely regarded as the City as a prime fishing stream. “If you follow the course park,” says Mr Talling. of London’s most famous of the River Westbourne, Roman discovery of the The plans are ambitious to one side of the road is “Now the Serpentine is 20th Century was made. say the least. To come to full Kensington & Chelsea, the sourced by water from a fruition, they would require other side is Westminster,” pumping station by Chelsea Welsh archaeologist Prof WF destruction of billions of Mr Talling says. “It’s quite Bridge and the ornamental Grimes discovered a Roman pounds worth of property confusing for people parking waters in Kensington temple devoted to god of including Buckingham cars.” Gardens.” light Mithras. Palace. The damming of the Elsewhere, in south London, The discovery of the temple But the group’s spokesman Westbourne was ordered the raised banks of the Oval was in Grimes’ own words James Bowdidge still thinks by George II’s wife Queen cricket ground were built “a fluke”. it may one day happen. Caroline in 1730 to form the with earth excavated during Serpentine and increase the enclosing of the Effra. “Professor WF Grimes “The proposal is very Hyde Park’s aesthetic wasn’t looking for a temple realistic, sustainability at its appeal. “The river showed itself but rather wanted to learn purest,” he says. “With the again and was responsible about the Walbrook Valley support of the public and of “The Serpentine was for flooding the cricket and its stream,” says landowners, we will bring expanded in the 18th ground in the 1950s,” says Caroline McDonald, the wildlife, fishing and beauty Century to make the park Mr Talling. “The rainfall Museum of London’s senior into the heart of Mayfair.” look more beautiful,” Mr became excessive and the curator of Roman history. Werner says. torrent of the flood meant So who knows, one day, the sewers overflowed.” Now, after centuries of when heading to the West burying London’s rivers, End, you may well want Back over the Thames, in there is a campaign to to pack your waders and central London, the River restore one of them above fishing rod. Walbrook dates back to ground. Roman Londinium, with And who knows, they John Stow’s 1598 Survey The Tyburn Angling Society may become a popular of London suggesting its has gained publicity in paranormal location in years name derives from the fact recent years for its proposal to come. the brook passed by the city to restore the River Tyburn wall. - which originates in

16 HAUNTED MAGAZINE

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18 HAUNTED MAGAZINE GHOUL

“DressingBRITANNIA! up, falling over and booty shaking with mannequins. It could only be Calamityville Horror’s Season 4 finale.”

The SS Great Britain for 47 years then she was launched on 19th July towed out to Sparrow Cove, 1843 with Prince Albert in holed and sunk. In 1969, attendance. Designed by Naval architect Ewan Corlett Isambard Kingdom Brunel rescued her. 127 years to for the Great Western the day of her launch, the Steam Ship Company, SS Great Britain floated up she was intended to be a Bristol docks by herself, paddle steamer but due to welcomed by Prince Philip. her advance technology of screw propulsion, her Our voyage was a ghostly engines were converted to one. The ship’s most famous power a 16 ft. iron propeller. phantom is Captain John Our voyage to the SS Great Britain started well At 100 metres long, she Gray, who was captain when Neen missed the junction off the M4. We was the largest ship in the for 18 years. He once discarded our directions and trusted the tourist world. She was designed interrupted a voyage to signs and Neen’s native Bristolian instincts. for the Trans-Atlantic luxury claim the uninhabited island Calamityville favourites, Tom and Amy joined passenger trade but this of St Martin for the Empire. In the 1870s, he suffered us. For some reason, they aren’t embarrassed wasn’t financially successful from kidney disease and to be seen with us. In fact, Tom encourages so she was sold to Gibbs Bright & Co and became an depression. A few years our quest for Calamityville pants, but that’s emigrant carrier. Over 24 before, his son died and another story. years, she made 32 trips to his cousin was swept Australia, carrying 16,000 overboard to his death. passengers, including the On 26th November 1872, first English cricket team to Captain Gray disappeared. contest the ashes. A window in the ship’s bow After 1881, she transported was open, despite being Welsh coal to San Francisco screwed shut in the night. but in 1886 was damaged Gray was never found. in a storm. The Falklands Some believe he committed Island Company used her suicide, others say he was as a floating warehouse murdered for his gold.

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 19 GHOUL BRITANNIA

disappeared staying upright in strong when they winds. Most professionals approached. would’ve ignored his During a comments. Lynx: “Bite wedding, a me. I don’t want to waste steward who’d my breath talking to you.” worked on She flipped him off. When board for 23 he was halfway down the years was ship, he hollered “you’re standing beside freaks of nature!” Cat: the piano on “You’re the freak of nature, the Promenade Wankenstein. This is going deck with on YouTube!” Strangely, he another man, fell silent. People on the when it began ship above us enjoyed this to play. The impromptu performance. piece. Don’t they know lid was closed. A man Thank god we weren’t who we are? Oh right, The ship claimed other who played Brunel during wearing our Calamityville no-one does. We headed lives. A 13 year old boy fell events heard footsteps t-shirts. down to the Promenade from the rigging and died behind him and doors We visited the ship’s hull deck and loitered by the in front of his father. Mrs opening and closing. He in the dry dock, where haunted piano but no Cohen, a 17 year old bride saw a woman and child in Cat walked into the stair ghosts bashed out a jaunty died on board and was the Family Cabin and legs rail. The museum had a tune. Cat felt dizzy in a tiny pickled in vinegar for her disappear into the State surprise – dressing up cabin and attributed it to journey home. Passengers Room. In 2008, a member clothes! Children were the sloped floor. There was and the ship’s doctor’s of staff reportedly saw a amused as Amy, Neen and a mannequin puking into a child’s face in the steerage steward were swept Cat donned fancy dresses bowl and as the most travel compartment. overboard and a German while Lynx and Tom wore sick member of our team, passenger vanished. A security guard witnessed naval jackets and top hats. Lynx was forced to pose Another passenger noted doors moving, heard a door Cat tripped over her his disappearance in her slamming in the captain’s dress then stood on it and slid into a photo with Neen. We took the “In 1999, a consultant heard footsteps descend into the opportunity to do some Forward Hold. Workers saw a lady on the Promenade deck formal dancing, copying but she disappeared when they approached.” moves we’d seen on The Vampire Diaries. We persuaded Tom to wear diary. It was suspected he cabin and watched a the dress Neen wore, jumped overboard. locked door handle turn. and shoved a bonnet In 1992, a teenager on work While Neen, Tom and Amy on his head. He looked experience saw a bearded browsed the gift shop, we better in the dress than we with her. man sitting on a beam in filmed information pieces did and hasn’t let us forget While Lynx, Tom and Amy the ship’s bowels. He had by the ship. Then some it. were in the kitchen, Neen broad shoulders and wore twatapus hurled abuse We boarded the ship but and Cat found a cabin with a white collared shirt. It’s at us as he walked past. decided against recreating two bunks. Neen: “how can believed to be Captain Most of his grunts were the Titanic pose. We’d only anyone fit on that bunk?” Gray. In 1999, a consultant unintelligible because fall off and die. We had Cat: “I can fit.” Not easy heard footsteps descend these delightful humans to wait for people to stop when wearing a fishtail into the Forward Hold. never abuse us face to having their photos taken skirt that was designed Workers saw a lady on the face, despite the fact at the ship’s wheel before for style and not practical Promenade deck but she we’re only 5’1 and struggle we could do a filming things like walking and

20 HAUNTED MAGAZINE Lynx, Neen and Tom followed him to the captain’s quarters while Cat and Amy explored the Family cabin and interviewed mannequins. Tom found a trap door so Cat became dizzy again Cat switched on her night but the only woman and vision and investigated. child in the cabin were Sadly we didn’t solve mannequins, not ghosts. the mystery by finding a The living Brunel pointed skeleton. Then we became out the windows Gray suspicious. Gray was 6ft. disappeared from and told So is Tom. Gray had a us a lantern beside beard. So does Tom. the window misbehaving on ships. pretend feast, which ended had been She fitted perfectly. We in a pretend food fight. extinguished. Gray was fire- were designed for ship’s Some people have no idea safety conscious voyages. We’ve always how to behave in first class. (unlike us) so wanted to be pirates. They We then harassed a lone extinguishing female mannequin. Musical interviewed mannequins the lantern instruments in the corner about Captain Gray’s before leaving tempted us, but they were disappearance but they the ship was glued to chairs and ruined were unforthcoming. within his what could have been an character. On After regrouping in the epic Calamityville band the night he disappeared, kitchen, Cat became dizzy photo. Our one chance a steward saw him writing Gray was well-liked. As to look vaguely letters. They’ve never been is Tom. Gray had a deep talented. found. voice. So does Tom. We’re not suggesting Tom is the We found the While filming in a cabin immortal Captain Gray, sickbay but the near the windows, Lynx we’re just saying no-one doctor and patient suddenly smelled perfume. has seen them together. mannequins hadn’t Although perfume does heard about the linger after the wearer Our tickets allow us to ghosts. However, has left the area, we were return to the ship unlimited a volunteer told the only ones left as the times in the year. It’s time us about a glass ship was about to close. the ship had stowaways… of wine that kept Seconds later, Cat heard getting drunk when someone singing faintly again. Neen, Tom and no-one was around. Amy in an operatic voice then Amy headed downstairs tested out the bunks while it stopped. We can’t say while we found more we examined the firmness for certain it wasn’t Amy cabins and passed the time of the surgeon’s posterior. or Neen, but Lynx was tormenting a robotic voice He must do squats. Neen standing in the doorway, so that called out indignantly and Cat flanked the would’ve heard them, but every time we pushed the harassed-looking surgeon she didn’t hear the singing. toilet door. We found our and demonstrated a Zumba Our cameras recorded it team on the storage deck booty shake. clearly. interviewing the model We then posed with a We did an EVP session horses. In the luxurious model Brunel before finding by the windows but Gray dining deck, we sat for a his living impersonator. didn’t want to speak to us.

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 21 You’d probably think that THE SPECTRAL MAN Heathrow is the last place to see finding the same gentleman’s body a ghost - but you’d be wrong. Arguably, Heathrow’s most famous in the wreckage. ghost hasn’t been seen for a while, but Yes, it’s the world’s third-busiest it’s still a great tale. In March 1948, a He may have some idea that his flight coming in to land at Heathrow days at the office are numbered, airport and more than 70 million from Brussels ran into difficulties but the man in the hat isn’t quite passengers pass through every due to thick fog, and the plane crash ready to give up the ghost just year, but if you catch yourself landed on runway 2-8-Right, killing all yet. Since the night of the crash feeling ill-at-ease or walking three crew members and 17 of the 22 in 1948, he’s been spotted on the passengers. runway, possibly keeping an eye through a cold spot, stay alert. It’s out for his missing briefcase. probably just your pre-flight pint As Heathrow employees and the or the airport’s air conditioning; emergency services worked to help Since that terrible night in 1948 the injured and find the dead and there have been many reports but it could be something else. dying, a man wearing a hat calmly of sightings of a man wearing a Something which isn’t at the walked through the fog towards them; hat being seen along the runway; he was dressed in civilian clothes and during recent years, he’s been airport to jet off for two weeks in spotted less and less, but in 1970, obviously wasn’t part of the rescue Bermuda. it’s reported he came back for team. The man asked if the team one final hurrah and something had found his briefcase, and as the happened which Heathrow staff rescue team were staring at him, he have never been able to explain. disappeared into the fog - never to be seen again. According to reports, It all started when the radar office the emergency workers later reported reported picking up a visual of a person trespassing on the runway,

22 HAUNTED MAGAZINE which obviously isn’t ideal. The airport police were despatched to get rid THE VIP GHOST of the intruder, and they were joined by the airport fire department, just in If you’re going to add a bit DICK TURPIN case anything was amiss. The radar of glamour to your afterlife office guided the team to the spot appearances, you could do a RETURNS FOR A where the man was, and waited for lot better than the VIP lounge him to be removed. at Heathrow. Visitors hoping for FINAL HOLD-UP nothing more strenuous than a However, the police reported back shower, a massage and a coffee However, it appears that his that they weren’t able to see anyone, have reported seeing a man in a death at the gallows has not and the runway was clear. The radar grey suit mooching around the stopped Dick Turpin; he’s been office testily replied that they must be lounge, who promptly disappears. viewed at several locations able to; as they were arriving at the around England - and Heathrow Chillingly, many people who have scene, they had driven right next to is one of them. There have been seen this ghost have said that he the person. reports of a man dressed as appears from the waist down only, a highwayman appearing and Rattled, they continued to search so if you spot a pair of grey trousers disappearing in the main terminal, for the individual, guided by the walking about unattended, this is and Heathrow staff have reported radar office, who were absolutely most likely the cause. insistent that the intruder was still hearing a man barking or howling. visible. Search as they might, the When they turn around to see officers on the runway could not find what’s causing the noise, nobody who ever it was, and eventually both is there. parties gave up. Could it have been Dick’s repertoire isn’t limited to the diligent office worker, desperately dog noises. Many people have trying to find his briefcase? said they ‘feel his presence’ behind them, or that they feel hot breath on their neck. Of course, they turn around and they’re alone. Or so it seems...

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 23 CELEBRITY INTERVIEW URI GELLER THAT SPOON FELLA, MINDBENDER, BON VIVEUR AND FORTUNE TELLER? JAYNE HARRIS SAT DOWN WITH URI GELLER AND DISCUSSED GHOSTS, THE AFTERLIFE AND SCEPTICS.

would be surprised if Isomeone told me they had never heard of Uri Geller. He is known the world over for his incredible abilities, not simply telekinesis but something altogether more incredible. This is a man who has defied the laws of science on a worldwide scale, which we have never, and probably will never see again. He is a man who has entertained and astounded millions of us for over 45 years, so however you would describe Uri whether Spoon bender, Psychic, Magician or Illusionist one thing is clear…there is only one Uri Geller.

My first memory of Uri Geller is as mystifying for me as the man himself. Aged 10 I was sitting at home one Saturday evening with my parents watching TV when onto my screen came a man who could apparently bend spoons with the power of his mind. He began staring directly into the camera lens and I remember feeling like he could literally see me! We were all memorized. He asked everyone at home to get a broken watch and hold it in his or her hand. I did. Uri then began commanding the worlds broken watches to ‘work!” What had started as a bit of fun suddenly left me dumbfounded as the watch in my hand that hadn’t worked for years suddenly started ticking. And so a life long fascination with the man and the mystery began.

24 HAUNTED MAGAZINE “I wouldn’t say it’s a gift but it’s certainly a huge positive URI GELLER in my life.” THAT SPOON FELLA, MINDBENDER, BON VIVEUR AND FORTUNE TELLER?

Uris website is an incredibly interesting FREE resource with documentaries, free eBooks and more. You can also sign up to his newsletter and receive free motivational inspiration from Uri. www.urigeller.com 25 CELEBRITY INTERVIEW with URI GELLER

In this interview Uri gives me his thoughts on the beliefs afterlife, his amazing powers and why he is grateful to every single one of his critics. Uri, can you tell me about the first time you realized you had extraordinary abilities? I was 5 years old, eating soup and as I lifted the spoon towards my mouth, the spoon started bending and it actually broke in half. It’s as clear in my mind today as it was back then. How did your family react? My mother didn’t think it was a big deal. She was related to Sigmund Freud, my full name is actually Uri Geller Freud, and my mother simply thought that maybe I’d inherited some abilities from him. I don’t think so myself but that’s what she thought and so she was never amazed or surprised by my powers, she was more impressed by how my powers Yes to a point. I’ve seen children bend Over the years you’ve allowed a led me to become well known around spoons and have witnessed some number of scientists to attempt to the world. extraordinary demonstrations of mind test your paranormal abilities. Do power from adults. I have a TV show you believe that in the end it will Can you tell me about the point at be science that offers us our best called “The Next Uri Geller” in which which you discovered you could evidence of the afterlife? Or do you I’m looking for the next me! On the control your powers? believe it will always be more about You know, because I was a bit of a show we have Magicians, Illusionists faith? show off and I wanted to Oh the afterlife will absolutely be be noticed, I soon realized proved by science, for sure. I’ve been that this was something I studied by the American Defense could really make use of. Department, the CIA and other The other kids could play intelligence agencies under controlled basketball, football or piano conditions and their findings can and I couldn’t, but I was all be found on my website. Their unique. I could do spoon tests concluded that this type of bending, mind reading, phenomenon is real. There is a thirst fixing broken watches, for scientific understanding of the sprouting seeds with my unexplained. I believe in the future mind and more! I thought it that scientists will be able to prove there was just a natural thing but I did used and Mentalists and amongst is indeed life after death, and that we to exercise my abilities. When I was in them I believe that I have seen things don’t die, we simply pass over, and school I would practice, mainly out of that you cannot explain. They have here is my explanation for why I believe necessity. I wanted my mother to be demonstrated powers of the mind that we CAN’T die. In 1924 a very clever able to give up work, I wanted to buy have astounded me. man came up with a scientific equation her a TV and take care of her and that Have you ever wished you didn’t E=MC2. Of course it was Albert was what gave me my drive, it was Einstein. Einstein with that equation always about my Mom. have your powers? proved to the world scientifically that Over the years have you ever met No. Absolutely not. I look upon it as a everything in the universe is made up of anyone else that seems to have blessing. I wouldn’t say it’s a gift but it’s energy, you, me, the walls that surround similar abilities? certainly a huge positive in my life. us, everything is energy. He went on to

26 HAUNTED MAGAZINE That’s a really good question. I think it’s human nature to have a fear of getting sick or of our loved ones becoming ill or dying. I wouldn’t say I’m afraid of death or of dying but there will always be that big question mark for me…who will be there? Where will I go? That unknown element frightens me. Obviously there are skeptics. What would you say to anyone who says, “There’s no such thing as the paranormal?” Well look, for me the skeptics gave a huge positive push to my career. So many skeptics have tried to debunk my abilities and they argued about me obsessively for years. What they didn’t understand was that controversy is a gift on a silver platter. You cannot buy controversy in a shop. They created this whirlwind around me, which gave me longevity. I mean I can’t believe I am still around, doing TV shows and lectures after 45 prove that energy cannot be destroyed. years and it’s all because I became So one must ask the question, if you so I called him and asked him to come controversial thanks of them. I should cannot destroy energy, what happens to and show me some examples of his actually send each of my skeptics a our soul when we die? What happens to work. He arrived on a Sunday morning thousand bouquets of flowers, as I’m our spirit? What happens to our energy? at 10am and because of the security at so grateful! I’ll say this shamelessly; Do you believe in Heaven and Hell? my house usually people have to walk I am a King in Public Relations. I Or do you believe in something through several sets of gates but for understand how PR works and I knew different? some reason on this occasion when how to shift the controversy around he called through I told him to wait in me so that it could boost my career. I am a religious man and I pray to God his car and I would come to him. As I every day and try to have an attitude of approached I saw this man sitting in his At the end of the day you will gratitude. No one really knows where van and next to him was a dog. Instantly get skeptics in every walk of life, we go but I want to believe there is a I thought him a good man, as my but especially in the field of the Heaven, and no I don’t believe there family are dog lovers and my mother in paranormal as it’s unfortunately is a Hell. I want to believe we proceed particular loved dogs, so I immediately riddled with charlatans, so you towards our creator, although I think made up my mind that this was the never really know who is genuine we have to pass through various levels man to create my mothers headstone. I and who is not. Skeptics to me are before we get there. approached his van from the passenger a tiny molecular nothing, they don’t Have you ever seen a ghost? side expecting to pat the dog and as I exist in my world and cannot do me leaned in there was no dog. I asked the In my lifetime I’ve seen 2 ghosts, there harm. I think I have reached a point at man “where’s your dog gone?” and he is no doubt in my mind. The first time which I don’t have to prove anything went ashen. He went on to tell me that was just after my mother died. She had to anyone, and so I don’t really care his dog had passed away 6 months been living with us for some time here in what anyone else thinks. If someone before but that he always accompanied Sonning on Thames so I asked the Vicar him in his van and always sat on the said to me “there’s no such thing and my Rabi for permission to bury passenger seat. I took it as a sign from as the paranormal” I’d just tell them her at our local church, being Jewish my mother to trust the man. to keep on believing that if it makes we were not sure if it was acceptable. them happy! It was agreed and so then I had to For many people, their biggest fear is arrange for a headstone. My Rabi gave seeing a ghost. What is your biggest Uri, many thanks for taking the time me the contact details for a stonemason fear? to talk to me today.

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 27 “As a Paranormal Events owner October is the busiest time of the year, 8 events in 4 weeks and over 400 guests attending 6 different locations, one of which is a brand new one to Haunted Events UK.”

HAUNTED EVENTS UK’s LEE ROBERTS AND TEAM GO IN SEARCH OF SPOOKS IN A SHOPPING CENTRE THAT HAS AN INTERESTING PAST...

THE CENTRE OF PARANORMAL ACTIVITY?

Is LIVE Ghost Hunting a new and innovative way to investigate, is the Paranormal about to engage the social media more than ever before?

28 HAUNTED MAGAZINE The Idlewells Shopping Where the Idlewells centre Centre in Sutton in Ashfield, is used to be the main street Nottinghamshire, UK doesn’t in Sutton Idlewells and the sound like the most haunted area is rife with spooky location in the world and legends - It is rumoured during the day it is buzzing that an old man and a child with shoppers of all ages, both died in the River Idle, but it wasn’t always that way. which ran through the middle Where the centre stands now of the slum area and now used to be a whole different runs beneath the centre in world, a community of slums massive silver pipework. housing hundreds of local families.

The Idlewells, built in the 1970’s, is on top of a now disused underground car park which was the built at the same level as the slums. ghost hunting. At the end of It also has quite a few current the day this was a test for spooky stories. The centre the team too as we’d never manager went through what investigated here before. has happened recently when what it was and realised we were discussing running We began with a walk around there was a pattern to it, and events there. Legend has it that one the Indoor Market just to woman who lived in a then it began mimicking his scope the location, get a feel • Security recently heard dwelling on the site of knocking in response. He for it and test the lighting; scratching down the door Idlewells (Louisa Gregory) didn’t stay around too long we then made our way down in the toilet lobby near was well worth steering after he realised that there stairs to the underground the lifts. They quickly clear of, her nickname was was no logical explanation car park. It is here we began checked behind the fire the Corpse Collector and for it - and we hear he hasn’t filming and welcoming door - but nobody in apparently if she knocked been down on his own since!! members of my Facebook sight! Security checked on your door, you would die page to the location. So with all that said I could back on CCTV - nothing!! shortly after!!!! not miss the opportunity to • Baby changing room - Retail outlets Peacocks check these stories out for lights frequently coming and Bon Marche have both myself. Not only that but we wanted to try out the on out of the blue when had numerous reports of new Facebook LIVE video the centre is closed! unexplainable activity. One Security guard saw her radio link via my verified page • The funeral house a few moving in the basement, with so people at home could yards from the shopping nobody around it! Another watch what happened. centre used to be a Security guard recently Simon, Jason, James, The car park was very eerie hotel and (dare we say) heard knocking on the floor Catherine and Helen from looking once the lights when a house of ill-repute!!! in the basement when he the Haunted Events UK team off and also knowing that you It was rumoured that was patrolling in the early joined me on location along were on the same level as the people used to go in and hours one morning. He with Chloe (Centre Manger) old slums gave it that extra never come out!!!!! stopped to try to work out and in the Hub monitoring spooky feel to it. We started off the footage from safe with a table and glass to see distance was none other than if we got any contact. I had Haunted Digital Magazine a walk round on my own to editor Paul Stevenson. see if I could pick up anything on camera. The location at This was a last minute thing this stage had the feeling of so we were not expecting yes there is something there many to log on and view so but it needs work, with more the focus was on the activity time I am sure that part of and whoever did watch the location would be a great would see raw unedited location to investigate.

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 29 Above: Idlewells in the 70s

We had the ALICE box with Peacocks shop, this is where We ran out of time in the end constantly fight to become us which was picking up a Louisa Gregory used to live and what was supposed to the next best thing in the words COWS, CATTLE and as legend has it if she be a walk round for an hour the paranormal field and & ANIMALS. We later found knocked on your door death turned out to be a 3 hour yet by just holding up a out that where we were followed, called “the Witch investigation in one of the mobile phone and filming stood used to be a Butchers, of the Idlewells” legend coolest locations I have been coincidence? suggests that she still haunts in a while. what we do we managed the area, so I was keen to to give the paranormal After around 40 mins we see if we could contact her. Paul at the hub informed loving viewer raw ghost moved up on to the main me that the LIVE link had hit hunting at its very best. mall, I am used to seeing The radio seemed very active over 9,000 viewers over the There will be plenty more the location buzzing with with a male voice being course of the investigation shoppers but now with and the comments videos coming your way dominant but our eyes kept over Halloween and into the lights off and all shops being drawn to the reflection were in overdrive. I was closed it was very strange. of Peacocks next door, was overwhelmed that people the new year so make By this stage we had hit someone watching us? from all over the world were sure you LIKE the page 1000 LIVE viewers via the Chloe, the Centre Manager taking an interest, over and stay tuned because Facebook page. was starting to get freaked the past 12 months the you never know when we paranormal seems to have out also as we heard a clear may go live. The link to the We were given access to grown bigger and bigger, voice from behind her, yet no a few disused units along Ghost Adventures (GAC) page is www.facebook. one was there. the mall but at first the main has engaged the audience com/officialleeroberts activity was on the main mall and taken the paranormal itself, taps, bangs, strange We eventually moved We will be back at the upstairs to the business unit to a new generation, Most figures in the corners of Idlewells on the 29th and a string of dark spooky Haunted has returned our eyes. Was it our minds nd rd looking corridors. The radio and has got its 2 and 3 October 2015 but this playing tricks on us or was time joined by members of something playing with us? was still speaking to us, season on Really TV and telling us to be careful, RUN also has a LIVE special at public, to join us go to We eventually got access and even said Simon’s name Halloween. Paranormal to the unit next door to at one point. shows on YouTube www.hauntedeventsuk.com

30 HAUNTED MAGAZINE 31 GADGET REVIEW ARK OF THE CONVENIENT

We’ve all done it, been Modern ghost hunting is Imagine a Ghost Box, an EVP GhostArk solves the need on an investigation and awash with technical gadgets Recorder, a Sound Trap, an to have more than one wish we could carry all and gizmos, we all have our EMF Meter, a Temperature tool in your hand, making our equipment at the favourites and yes they’re and Pressure gauge and an investigations easier, more same time, the amount of getting smaller and easier access to analysis of Data accurate and professional. times I have gone back to fit into pockets and man- captured all neatly packaged It also allows to record and bags but what if one, YES up in a shiny new piece of kit and forth fetching this, cross-analyse data. ONE, piece of kit could fulfil with fancy lights for added fetching that wishing the actions of many of our coolness and that’s what the Can you describe GhostArk that I had a pet Octopus gadgets, well it might be time GhostArk is. in 5 words? (trained to carry stuff for to pack the pet Octopus away me of course, not just for because there’s a new gadget We caught up with its creator Simple: Is the “First All- novelty purposes) doesn’t in town and this one means Massimo Rossi and asked in-One Ghost Hunting bear thinking about. business. him all about his new ghost Equipment” hunting gadget. If you were looking for 5 Ciao Massimo and thanks adjectives, these would be: for taking the time to talk accurate, easy, convenient, with us today. A lot of our beautiful, professional. readers love the paranormal and judging by what we’ve Start from the beginning, read on social media about where and when did the GhostArk there is already a idea for GhostArk start? buzz about it. I got the idea for GhostArk So, GhostArk? Why do you because I had myself the feel there is a need for a need to be able to hold device like this? more than one device in

32 HAUNTED MAGAZINE “DESIGNED AND BUILT FOR GHOST HUNTERS, PARANORMAL INVESTIGATORS AND ENTHUSIASTS.”

one hand. I also wanted to castles, villas, abandoned Italy was ravaged by using flour, a strainer, a create a device that allowed villages… maybe more than the plague three times, Polaroid, a simple tape to cross-analyse the data and in the UK, maybe not (I love which caused hundreds of recorder. I have always highlight anomalies after the the UK for its history). thousands of deaths. followed closely the investigation. development of technologies Venice is a real practice Why the name GhostArk? used in paranormal research. Do you think GhostArk ground for paranormal could make Ghost Hunting research. One of the reasons This name is evocative… What happened when even easier? is because its architecture “ark” because the entity can you tested it on Poveglia has remained the same for manifest itself in multiple Island? This is one of the reasons over one thousand years. ways. GhostArk allows to why GhostArk was created, record and analyse different I have been to Poveglia and to allow enthusiasts to Poveglia island, Lazzaretto phenomena of paranormal three times, always alone. start experimenting in this Nuovo e Lazzaretto vecchio nature. I love doing investigations field. Now they will need to (with the hospital for those on my own because I am purchase only one device, infested with the plague) are So, who is Massimo Rossi, able to fully concentrate instead of many. all great locations. tell our readers who you on the environment and on are? the device that I’m using. Do you think that the Throughout Italy there Apart from bangs, steps paranormal industry is are many other locations: I am a librarian, specialised and sudden temperature ready for GhostArk? medieval castles and grounds in antique manuscripts. I changes, already with the of great battles (for example have been researching the Until one year ago, the first prototype of GhostArk paranormal for over thirty technology industry Custoza). Other locations are (with all the components basically wasn’t considering in Caporetto and in the area years… at the beginning I in a wooden box) I started the paranormal field. surrounding the Piave River. was doing investigations seeing that EMF variations Researchers were using tools data could be crossed with originally developed for other temperature and pressure purposes. GhostArk is the data, as well as with EVP first multi-functional device recordings (which I was created and developed able to listen after the especially for paranormal investigation) and with the research and for those who ghost box. are interested in this field. Silly question, probably, but GhostArk answers a do you believe in ghosts? need, allowing also those who are not expert to This is not a silly question, conduct investigations with completely the opposite in professional results. fact: I believe that “ghosts” are part of what I define What are the most famous “entities”, which stay in our haunted locations in Italy? dimension or are able to get back to our dimension. Italy has a very long history Therefore, I believe that there and is full of haunted are multiple dimensions. locations: regular houses, The aim of the research is,

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 33 GADGET REVIEW firstly, to demonstrate the nature of “paranormal”, of different phenomena, including sound, kinetic and visual phenomena. At the moment it’s not possible to demonstrate the origin of such phenomena; but we can demonstrate their nature.

Tell us about the team behind GhostArk? My dream became reality thanks to my son, who worked on the design of the device and put together a team of four engineers. Our project manager worked in Japan for five years in micro-robotics.

We also have members of the team who take care of communications and relations with media, suppliers and partners.

How have the so called paranormal experts reacted to GhostArk? I would say really well. Excluding cameras, GhostArk represents a step ahead for the industry that is comparable to the switch from mobile phones to the first iPhone. Also, GhostArk customers will have access to a web application to analyse all their data; this has been received very well too.

We’re so looking forward to testing it over here in the UK, have you ever ghost hunted in the UK? Not yet, although I have wanted to come to the UK for a while and test personally the GhostArk in notably haunted locations.

Even though I like doing researches alone (maybe with an interpreter, if he/she is brave enough…), I would like investigating with other people who want to test GhostArk.

Do you plan to expand on GhostArk with more paranormal products? Definitely. Our project manager is already working on GhostArk 2 but this will take at least two years of research and development.

When you first started ghost hunting what equipment did you use? As I mentioned in a previous answer: flour scattered on the floor through a strainer (talcum powder was too expensive), a tape recorder with magnetic head, a simple polaroid with flash, a torch, note pad and a lot of curiosity to discover more.

Grazie Massimo it was a pleasure speaking with you. Like a lot of the paranormal loving people out there we are dying to see the GhostArk in action and to see what response it gets from the paranormal world. Personally speaking, anything that makes ghost hunting easier but still generates the buzz, the vibe and the scares that Ghost Hunting can give is a winner in my book.

34 HAUNTED MAGAZINE

A mysterious virus hits an isolated elementary school, transforming the kids into a feral swarm of mass savages. An unlikely hero must lead a motley band of teachers in the fight of their lives.

36 “You know what? You carry on with your symphony of death. I’ll sneak around the school where there aren’t any kids.”

INTERVIEW WITH Elijah Wood So, you get an email from a marketing company wanting to promote a new DVD, you get the screener of the film, it’s quite good actually and then you do what you always do and ask if there’s any interview talent available safe in the knowledge that the answer will 99% be no. A few days later, they reply, you idly flick over it and then you stop dead in your tracks, tumbleweed breezes over your laptop, and you blink and read it again, “Elijah Wood is available for an interview”. Elijah Wood aka Frodo Baggins aka Frank in Maniac and now Clint in Cooties (the film that started this introduction to the feature). So, what is Cooties? In a nutshell, some children eat some contaminated Chicken Nuggets and turn into “cannibalistic ghouls” and yes, you guessed it Elijah Wood stars in it (note: he also produces it as well). Oh and to put the ghostly cherry on top of the horror cake this is not an interview where we get to send off 15 questions for them to answer the best way we can, this is what is known in the industry as a “phoner”. So, the phone call takes place, we’re told we’ve got 10 minutes, questions are prepped and researched, my mouth is so dry, the last time I spoke to a celebrity was when Les Dennis told me to “shift” on Skegness Pier. Elijah speaks “Hey Paul, how you doing? Just been reading your magazine, it’s cool” …. The rest is a blur

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 37 endings but due to budget restraints they weren’t feasible. I am happy with the ending that we went for although I did love the ending we had where the virus spread to the pensioners so at Shaun of the it affected both young and Dead, yes it’s funny old. but it really has HAUNTED: How’s the film some proper horror gone down with teachers? in it to.

EJ: Ah, the feedback has HAUNTED: HAUNTED: So Cooties! HAUNTED: Did you add the been pretty cool, obviously What’s it all about? Horror Writer part into it? Your company we’ve not toured it round the Spectrevision local schools LOL but at the Elijah Wood (EJ): Good EJ: No, in fact I wasn’t even produced Cooties. start to an interview, going to act in the film, just festivals it has been shown at, we’ve had a few teachers Tell us more. straight down to the meat get involved as producer but come up to us who’ve said and bones. Basically in a fell in love with the script. EJ: SpectreVision “thanks so much, it’s about nutshell it’s about a group is a genre driven HAUNTED: I guess it’s similar time the teachers got to be of elementary school the good guys” company and teachers who come under to The Faculty but spun the mostly focuses other way round? attack from children who HAUNTED: You love your on horror films. have been turned into EJ: Wow, that takes me horror, what go you into it? We also host a vicious monsters by eating back, yes I guess it is similar film festival called contaminated chicken EJ: I was very young, my with the bad guys being older brother is 7 years older SpectreFest. As nuggets and their struggle the teachers rather than the you’ve said I love to survive. than me, so I kind of looked kids. Horror will always have up to him and got into what horror and I love a villain or villains and will he was into. I grew up with it from behind the HAUNTED: What is Clint’s always have the good guys. Backstory? He’s a wannabe A Nightmare on Elm Street: camera as well as in front Horror Writer yes? HAUNTED: There were quite Dream Warriors and that era, of it. I watched my first horror film a few different endings for when I was 5 years old, Truth HAUNTED: Do EJ: Yes he is, he loves his Cooties. Which was your or Dare: A Critical Madness, horror and wants to write favourite? you believe in the horror but ends up being a a straight to video release, Paranormal? Have you substitute teacher at this EJ: We filmed several endings, and I fell in love with horror ever had any Paranormal school. or had ideas for various there and then, it remains of experiences? my all time favourite horror movies. EJ: Yes I believe in HAUNTED: Would you say ghosts, I’ve had a few Cooties is a Horror Comedy experiences, nothing or a Comedy Horror? It’s that would go to suggest been described as Glee that ghosts exist 100% meets Saw(!) I never thought but then does it ever.. I’d hear those two paired (laughs), we had an together! interesting Ouija Session EJ: Neither would I, I think during a tour of a Horror Comedy and Comedy haunted house recently. Horror are, I think, essentially, Heard lots of voices and the same thing and just stuff. changing the words around is irrelevant, Cooties Elijah, many thanks is both Horror for taking time out and Comedy, a of your schedule to mix of two genres that will always speak to us today and have a common we wish you every denominator. Look success with Cooties.

JACK THE MYTH THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS

BY RICHARD JONES

Compared to many serial killers in Back then, the most common nickname history, Jack the Ripper was, to say for the murderer that people would most the least, not that prolific. Indeed, if, certainly have recognised, and would as is generally believed, he murdered been terrified by, was “Leather Apron.” five women, he pales in comparison to many latter day killers. Yet, his name This name was, reportedly, the is instantly recognisable the World pseudonym given to a sinister character over; more films have been made who - so the prostitutes of the East about him than any other murderer; End told police in the early stages of each year numerous books come out the investigation into the Whitechapel claiming to have caught him at last; Murders - was extorting money from and, whenever a news story about them with threats that if they didn’t pay him breaks, newspaper editors still up he would “rip them up.” Apparently, fall over themselves to get the scoop this sinister and violent character habitually wore a leather apron, hence ARTISTS IMPRESSION on their rivals, just as they have been doing for nigh on 129 years. the nickname. And, the most bizarre thing of all is that Unfortunately, the prostitutes could “Jack the Ripper” never existed. Film tell the police little about this man and makers, authors, journalists and editors descriptions of him varied. Then, around nd are quite literally chasing after a fiction the 2 September 1888, The Star who is, or was, in reality, more myth than newspaper, learnt of this suspect and man. began publishing lurid articles about him and his nocturnal activities. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am certainly not arguing against the harsh reality that It was at this point that the wonderfully five very gruesome murders took place named, Sergeant William Thick, revealed in the East End of London in 1888. They to his fellow officers that he was certain most certainly did and are a matter of that when people spoke of “Leather historical record. Apron” in the district they were, in fact, referring to a man by the name of John MARTHA TABRAM What I am arguing is that the perpetrator Pizer. of the Whitechapel Murders, to give them their official name, was most probably With the people of the area now not called Jack! terrified by this bogeyman-like figure, the murderer struck again on the 8th Indeed, had you stopped anyone in September 1888, and claimed the life the streets in early September 1888 – of Annie Chapman in the backyard of when at least two, perhaps three, of the number 29 Hanbury Street in Spitalfields. murders had taken place - and asked them who they thought Jack the Ripper It was with this murder that the was, you’d have drawn a blank stare. extreme unease that had been gaining momentum in the streets of Whitechapel You see, the murders of Martha Tabram in the wake of the murders of Martha (7th August 1888), Mary Nichols (31st Tabram and Mary Nichols gave way to August 1888) and Annie Chapman (8th outright panic and angry mobs began September 1888) were carried out before patrolling the streets ever willing to vent the name “Jack the Ripper” found its their fury and frustrations on any poor MARY KELLY way into the investigation into the crimes. individual who might be suspected of

40 HAUNTED MAGAZINE being complicit in or responsible signed “Jack the Ripper.” for the murders. In the wake of the two murders A direct result of this mob activity that had occurred on the 30th was that the police numbers were September, the police decided increased on the streets and this that the letter might provide the appears to have deterred the breakthrough they so desperately murderer for a few weeks. needed and they released it to A few days after Annie Chapman’s the public. When the newspapers murder, Sergeant Thick finally began reporting on the name, it arrested John Pizer and took him caught on immediately and soon in for questioning at Leman Street Jack the Ripper was the name on Police Station. Their case, however, everybody’s lips when they referred soon fell apart when Pizer was able to the Whitechapel Murders. to provide alibis for the nights of the two most recent murders and Within days the police had decided he was soon released. that the letter had, most certainly, not been written by the murderer With the end of September but that it had, in fact, been written approaching, the fact that there had been no further atrocities since by a journalist anxious to capitalise Annie Chapman’s murder, saw a further on the crimes. general relaxation amongst the But, by that time, it was too late East End populace as they started and from that point onwards the to believe that their ordeal was over. police had to contend with two perpetrators. The real one, the But the murderer returned in the Whitechapel Murderer, and the CATHERINE EDDOWES early hours of the 30th September fictional one - Jack the Ripper. The 1888 and claimed two victims – boundaries between the two soon Elizabeth Stride and Catherine became blurred, and they remain Eddowes – at around 1am and so to this day. Look at any book 1.45a respectively. on the murders and, inevitably, It was in the wake of these killings the name “Jack the Ripper” will that the police made a decision be there somewhere in the title. that would, not only influence the Authors don’t write books entitled course of their investigation into The Whitechapel Murderer: - Case the killings, but which would also Closed, The Whitechapel Murderer: guarantee the unknown perpetrator - The Final Solution or The Diary of a gruesome immortality. the Whitechapel Murderer and, if they did, there is a high probability, ------nobody would buy them! DURWARD STREET The day before the murders of Elizabeth Stride and Catherine But, by replacing the “Whitechapel Eddowes the Central News Murderer” with “Jack the Ripper”, Richard Jones is the author of Office had handed the police a and an author is almost guaranteed several books on Jack the Ripper letter which they had received an international bestseller, and has written and presented two days previous. Purporting especially if he claims to be the several documentaries on to come from the murderer, the latest in a long line of authors the Whitechapel Murders. His missive was written in red ink and to have finally solved history’s company, Discovery Tours was addressed to “The Boss.” It greatest mystery. Until that is, the and Events, operates a nightly taunted the police for their inability next author comes along to steal Jack the Ripper Walk in the to catch him, and spoke in gloating the limelight by claiming to be the East End of London, http:// terms about what he had done to one who finally managed to track www.jack-the-ripper-tour.com. his previous victims and what he down and unmask a man who, would do to any future victims. He has also written books to all intents and purposes, never on the ghosts, legends and It was, however, the signature on actually existed. folklore of Britain and Ireland, the letter that would have long the research for which has lasting repercussions and which As the anonymous writer of the taken him on endless journeys would transform a series of East “Dear Boss…Jack the Ripper” across the spectral landscape End murders into an international missive might well have put it. Ha of the United Kingdom and the phenomenon. For the letter was Ha! Emerald Isle.

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 41 3 GOLDENRODgirls and a Batteries not included...

Don’t you hate it when you in the Dark were able to find this arrive to a location, equipment “somewhere” and spend the night... is prepped & ready to go, but twice! the place drains every last bit of When we arrived to this location, we juice from your batteries? almost drove right past it. It emerges The closest place to restock is across from the tree line, and you catch it in the river miles away in the middle of your peripheral, forcing you to slam nowhere? You’re not sure if a ghost or on your breaks, stop in the middle of The continuing adventures of 3GD the gas station attendant is going to the road and just stare at what is a follow you home? paranormal investigators dream spot. Let me tell you about a hidden gem It’s old, it’s creepy, it’s dilapidated, surrounded by woods, and the moon call the “Goldenrod” Built it 1909, looks amazing over the river. the Goldenrod Showboat travelled the rivers of the Midwest, offering But what about the good stuff? Does entertainment to everyone aboard until this boat still perform? (ba dum bum) she settled in St. Louis in 1937. At one The caretakers have many haunted point it seated more than 1400 people stories to tell from the legends of for live shows and was decorated with more than 2500 electric lights. It inspired Edna Ferber to write her book SHOWBOAT, on which the musical was based. The Goldenrod is the largest and longest surviving original showboat. Her current home is “somewhere” along the riverside in Kampsville, IL.

Thanks to the caretakers who are trying to restore her, 3 Girls

HAUNTED MAGAZINE the boat to their own personal experiences. Captain Menke still watches the stage from his table in the balcony. You can ask him for permission to board if you bring him a cigar. Big band music can still be herd playing, along with the lonely piano upstairs. If you listen closely you might hear faint cries from Rose, who may also tug on your coattails when you’re not looking.

There is also an interesting story about a widower who worked on the Goldenrod. He was raising his only daughter on board. She wanted to be a performer but her father refused. One night in St. Louis they had an argument about her performing. The So let’s get this party started! colour to it. We all just froze and went girl stormed off the boat. The next quite. Emily offered up the appropriate morning she was found dead floating √ Gifted a cigar & rose to the boat “did you see that” response, and we in the river. She had been brutally √ Asked Captain Menke all just shook our heads. Even stranger, attacked and murdered. The killers permission to board we all agreed we had just seen a ball were never found and her father died √ Set up equipment & started of light, but it looked a bit different to a short time later. investigation each of us in colour and size. I’m still √ Batteries went dead scratching my head on this one!

√ Interesting paranormal stuff As a professional team, we try to happened explain every experience before √ Finished investigation labelling it “Unexplained” or √ Cleaned ourselves off & drove “Paranormal”. We don’t half ass home things, and we tried to recreate it but √ Evidence review & reveal we couldn’t. Plus you start to learn to trust your gut, and we all knew what We had our batteries drained, our we had just experienced was just not walkie talkies seemed to go crazy “NORMAL” anytime we asked for interaction, and had some cool EVPs (EVP - Electronic I can’t wait to get back to this location! Voice Phenomena) - one particular The caretakers are great hosts and interesting class A “HELLO”. We even to experience the boat in person is herd the upstairs piano play! But what just amazing. Because of the boat’s sold us on this place was something condition, we are unaware of how long the 3 of us experienced together, all at it will be around for investigating. So if once. To date it’s one of the weirdest you’re in the Kampsville area, check it things we have seen. out and tell them 3 Girls sent you! The team was so excited to get in here! After all it was fate! I mean how weird While doing your standard Q&A UPDATE: is it that after doing research on this session, we were standing on stage place we stumbled across this book? looking up at the Captains table Since Gina and the 3GD Girls wrote this (located in the balcony to the left), feature, they have had a bad flood in the Ummmm – that’s a blond a brunette while trying to communicate with area, which has sadly caused the boat to be and a red head investigating a haunted Captain Menke, the 3 of us saw a ball condemned and torn apart. Some pieces of the showboat. With what looks like a of light bounce throughout the chairs interior will be saved and placed in a museum captain rowing a young lady off to her and dissipate into the captain’s chair. but naturally the girls are heartbroken as this demise! Yikes! It was pretty large and had a bit of was one of their favourite locations.

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 43 ONE OF THE GREATEST CRIMINAL MYSTERIES OF ALL TIME...WHO WAS JACK THE RIPPER?

RIPPER “FAN” JAYNE HARRIS SPINS HER TAKE ON THE JACK THEORY

’ve long held a fascination with from his clinic in Whitechapel o lets go back to Sir (where he was an Obstetrician). with this case, not least for I John. He would have known that many the incredible stealth and S of these women had no family skill the man himself must ohn Williams, born in 1840 or loved ones. No one to miss or have had. Not that I admire Jwas a bright and intelligent mourn them. It is claimed that he his work, but the awe that young boy who chose a path killed them, and then removed their surrounds this enigma does of medicine after diverting from reproductive organs, which he then warrant a level of admiration, his original career path with the took back to the hospital to study. A at least on some macabre and church. In 1859 he became an labour of love you might think! apprentice to surgeons in Swansea I admit, sickening level. t has also been suggested by before attending University College Williams that Mary Kelly, the Hospital London in 1861 to study I hat makes the case eternally Rippers fifth and final victim, was medicine with a view to setting up a Wfixed in our imaginations John Williams' lover. This claim general practise. is of course the fact that the has been supported by Mary Whitechapel murderer was never n 1872 he was appointed Assistant Kelly’s own descendant Antonia captured. There are at least 30 Physician at University College Alexander, who in 2013 found a tiny suspects, more if we count the I Hospital and went on to have photograph of Sir John in a locket hundreds of other names bandied an extremely successful career that was once the property of Mary around over the years. in London. It was a good year Kelly. for Williams as he also met and ersonally my favourite theory is f true, it isn’t quite clear why he married Mary Elisabeth Ann Hughes one that has risen in popularity killed her. Maybe she knew what P whom he later discovered could I over the years. I am talking about he was up to and could identify not conceive children. It is this the notion that Jack the Ripper him, or perhaps it was simply may have been none other than point that we shall return to when because he had been tempted by examining his possible motives for Welshman Sir John Williams, her in the past and couldn’t run the the murders. In 1886 he was made surgeon to Queen Victoria. It’s been risk again. Maybe Mary Kelly was a Court Physician and in 1894 widely theorized over the past 100+ some kind of "offering" - a coded he was made a Baronet. A very years that the Ripper must have signal to his fellow Freemasons that well respected, and wealthy man been a skilled and educated man he had finished his work? indeed. with a sophisticated understanding ut aside from the connections of human anatomy. To remove ost of the evidence in support to Mary Kelly what else is there a woman’s vital organs quickly, B Mof the theory that Sir John to aid us in our accusations against quietly and with only the dim was indeed Jack the Ripper comes Sir John Williams? glow of a Victorian street lamp is from his own direct descendant testament to this. Of course there Tony Williams, who is 2005 released n amongst Sir John's belongings are those who claim a butcher may a book entitled ‘Uncle Jack’. Iin the collection of the National have had the required skill and His theory is that Williams, in an Library there is a knife, which knowledge. Possibly. But there is attempt to find a cure for his wife's fits the description of the murder no evidence to point towards any infertility, stalked Whitechapel weapon exactly. There are also butcher working in the area at the looking for women of a similar age three slides detailing various time. whom he may have been familiar dissected organs, which have

44 HAUNTED MAGAZINE Was The Ripper the Court Physician Sir John Williams?

Co-Founder, Lead Investigator and Writer with HD Paranormal Research, Jayne has over 17 year’s experience in paranormal investigation and specialises in studying cases of Spirit Attachment (haunted objects). Both of Jaynes great been labelled "animal matter", nother theory when grandmothers were psychic mediums however Jayne and were clearly being studied Aconsidering Sir John Williams isn't yet convinced that she's inherited their gifts - by Williams. In 1885 there is a log is that of protecting Royal honour. although lives in hope! entry in Williams journal detailing One other high profile suspect As a qualified Psychologist and Counsellor, Jayne also an abortion he had performed on in the case is Dr William Withey studies Parapsychology and has recently completed a ‘Mary Ann Nichols’ showing he Gull who was Physician to Queen training in Demonology. had the specific knowledge and Victoria. Were these 2 men of A member of the British Paranormal Association (BPA) experience required to carry out medicine working together to and leading paranormal research charity ASSAP, procedures similar to those of the prevent a royal scandal involving Jayne, alongside Co-Founder (and also husband!) Ripper. Simon, works tirelessly in pursuit of the paranormal Prince Albert Victor? 'holy-grail' - unquestionable proof of the afterlife, n addition, a letter was found with their most recent piece of night vision footage f course, we may never in which Sir John indicates to receiving over 1.1 million hits on YouTube in just 3 I know who he was and a colleague that he will be in O days! why he carried out such brutal Whitechapel on the 9th November The work of HD Paranormal has contributed to a 1888, the date Mary Kelly was and shocking murders. After all new found fascination with this often misunderstood killed, and we also know that this time would we even want paranormal phenomena with particular interest soon after this date he gave up to know? Or is there something coming from Japan and the USA. all public work for around 5 years deeply fascinating about a case Jaynes all-time favourite location for ghost hunting is until 1892, or possibly until he felt that remains a mystery. I for one Edinburgh's old town, especially Greyfriars Kirkyard the case had cooled down. think so. where she saw her first apparition!

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 45 THE SÉANCE THAT “NAMED” THE REAL JACK THE RIPPER BY PHILIP SOLOMON

am always amazed mediums and psychics Bury or Jack the Ripper how those on the and in several sessions and was a suitable ghost I other side have an a character claiming to story for one of my ghost interest in this world, be William Bury or Jack books in 2009. but in 2001 I had one often came through. It became clear to all of us However, that year in May, of the most surprising that this person was either I decided it was time to engagements of my someone pretending to be, put together a séance with career as one of the or may have been, Jack the some professional sitters top mediums of the Ripper, although he never and see if Bury could be day. actually said he was at that contacted and find out stage. whether he actually was That year I had co-written The Ripper once and for all. a book with Professor Around 2005 a very The sitters were a psychic Hans Holzer of Amityville unusual haunting was artist and medium, two fame called Beyond reported in Bilston, West paranormal investigators, Death-Conditions in the Midlands, of a Jack the a Midlands historian, and Afterlife. It became an Ripper type character myself as the control and American best-seller being seen in and around medium. and was based around the area of Bilston my trance mediumship Market and in Hill Street, This is what came through sessions with people such Stourbridge. Some people during the séance and as Elvis Presley, Judy thought this may have been my trance mediumship, Garland, Adolf Hitler and the ghost of Staffordshire’s whereby one William many other from the other Palmer the Poisoner, but Bury finally admitted he side, famous and ordinary after much consideration was Jack the Ripper but alike. At this time I was and research into the story, insisted that he had only teaching many gifted we came to the conclusion been the killer of three young people to become it could have been William people, not including his

46 HAUNTED MAGAZINE "He said he had to kill his wife, Mary, because she had threatened to tell his story and he was truly sorry"

wife, Ellen, and they were he had learned the family immediately gone to the Kate Kelly, (Catherine trade of pork butchering police station in Dundee, Eddowes), Martha Tabram, and fish filleting to a good where they had gone to and Mary Ann Nichols, standard, (remember live, and told them he was but all the other girls or anyone who could cut up the Ripper, or at least one ‘prossers’ as he called and dissect a pig could do of them, and told the full them, and in his words, the same to a human being story of why he had killed “there were more than - whether we like it or not the girls. He also said he anyone will ever know the organs and structure had been paid £300 to about that was done in by are very similar). But he do this, (about £50,000 others at the order of ‘the admitted he was wayward in today’s money), and toff, Dudley’.” He would and ended up selling it had been paid to him never say exactly who pencils and other things in a way that suggested Dudley or the others were. where Bilston Market his wife had inherited the stands today. money. He also insisted It turned out Bury was that although his wife was actually born in Hill Street, He told us he had killed a poor publican’s daughter, Stourbridge, in 1859 and his wife and three of the she was not a prostitute that his mother had been Ripper victims, Kelly, and they had lived in committed to a lunatic Tabram and Nichols, but Blackthorn Street, Bow, asylum very early in his this had been on the order London, in lodgings with life and that his father, of someone that he always someone he called Smithy. a fishmonger and pork called or referred to as ‘the butcher, had also died toff, Dudley’ or ‘the gaffer’. He told me he was racked when he was only a baby, He said he had to kill his with remorse and had but that he and his brother wife, Mary, because she planned to go to Australia and sister had been had threatened to tell his but went to Dundee instead brought up by his uncle in story and he was truly sorry where he and Mary had Wolverhampton and that for this and that he had quarrelled. She wanted

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 47 THE SÉANCE THAT “NAMED” THE REAL JACK THE RIPPER

to go home and said she was I deserve to hang for killing someone like Hitler, who he going to tell on him, and in a fit my good wife, but I shall not was aware of on the other side, of rage he killed her and had be executed, be assured of had been allowed to speak the cut up her body in sections and that. At the last minutes my truth through me, and that of in a way very similar to how London people will save me.” all mediums, he believed that a several of the prostitutes had He seemed to be referring to Black Country man like himself ended up in London. important people who would would tell it in his words like it save him from the rope. William Bury told us he was was. His final words were, “I quite certain he would be am the killer of several women, Another thing that really acquitted and that people but today perhaps you would shocked me was that he in high standing would save describe me more as a spy seemed to know about me. He him from the noose and that or an assassin, a man given said he had lived in Horseley Dudley, the toff, had assured a job to do by others and I Fields, close to my home today, him this would be the case. am truly sorry for the deeds that he was well educated and Bury was angry from the other I performed.” After Bury left gone to the same school as side that he had never been London it seems the murders my grandfather, the Blue Coat allowed to speak in his defence did come to an end, but he School in Stourbridge, which in court and that although after was true. insisted that none of the other hearing the evidence the jury Ripper cases had anything to had convicted him, they had He also talked of 19 Cleveland do with him and “were other asked for mercy because of Street and that Kate Kelly people’s jobs” as he put it. the circumstances they had and Annie Crook had worked heard during the case. He had Was this the real Jack there and had very big been advised to plead guilty to the Ripper, or someone mouths about something. his wife’s murder but assured impersonating him? Even There is a famous Cleveland of reprieve, he claimed. Lord to this day I question the Street in Wolverhampton, but Young, the judge that day, was information that came through, furious with the jury’s decision whether this was a street in London or Wolverhampton but here in Haunted magazine, and ordered them to go back I give you the opportunity to and reconsider why they had was never made clear. He told me that Kate Kelly’s be judge and jury of whether asked for mercy and they this indeed is a message from returned with a verdict of guilty family lived in Graisley Green, the other side from Jack The without conditions! Wolverhampton, and was a very clever woman who wanted Ripper - or should I say one William Bury told us that on to be very rich one day. of the Rippers - or could it be the morning of his execution, one of the assassins who did he had said in front of many I asked him why he had chosen the deeds of others to silence witnesses, “I freely forgive all me to come through to admit these poor women who lost who have given false evidence that he had been Jack the their live so hideously and against me at my trial and Ripper. He replied that even horrifyingly all those years ago?

48 HAUNTED MAGAZINE OUT NOW

I recall vividly two Taking notice of this warning, There was a studio Hallowe’ens from my we turned cautiously back section, interspersing youth. to her and observed that she interviews and live viewer had begun to, very carefully, telephone calls, cut On one occasion, my mother gather in the paper and roll with “location” shooting refused to open the front it into a loose ball. Suddenly and some investigative and Suzanne. The house is door to some children - aware of the palpable looks journalism. The television unusual insofar as it is also actually surly teenagers of confusion on our faces, personalities were familiar occupied by a poltergeist. dressed in bin bags and she paused, mid-spin. too - there was a range of demanding confectionary “What?” she said. “We talent, including Michael Sarah wastes no time in with menaces - who clearly should keep this! It’s good Parkinson, Mike “Smitty” getting to the crux of the knew the house was quality paper!” Smith, Sarah Greene and matter, and ponders messy occupied, since we’d opened I don’t recall what year that Craig. Anyone living in rooms and other such hard the door moments before was, but I can be a lot more nineties Britain would evidence of poltergeist and dispensed a selection of specific about my other naturally look at so boiled sweets (probably activity. She also flicks rescued from down the through one of the girl’s side of the settee), to the school copybooks, which previous group of poorly- contains etchings of the attired chancers. ghost (on which someone in the prop team has drawn a Standing firm against willy on. You guys!). the calls of “trick or treat” – hollered goonily Outside, Craig (foam-tipped through our letterbox – microphone in hand and we waited until it all went puffed up like an owl in quiet. Two minutes later, his NFL-branded finery), doing clumsy SAS-style pounds the streets talking rolls across the hallway, to a collection of middle- myself and my elder brother memorable Hallowe’en impressive a line-up and aged women in shell-suits proceeded to the front door experience – which took fancy that they were in safe about their own ghostly and edged it open, only to place on 31st October, 1992. hands. Not so… experiences. find our front garden cut with BBC1 aired the excellent reams of toilet paper Ghostwatch. After an introduction of Back in the studio, Parkinson Michael Parkinson blandly Running back into the For those of you unaware now sits imposingly in his big intoning that haunted house to inform my mum chair, apparently coordinating of the phenomenon that houses no longer have of this cruellest of tricks these efforts – and is Ghostwatch, I shall try and ‘creaking gates, Gothic perpetrated against us, she recommending that viewers explain. towers or shutter windows’, sighed heavily and headed phone in on the telephone we cut to an outside to the front garden. As my Airing on BBC1 post-dinner- number provided if they broadcast. Sarah and brother and I quickly set time, the show purported witness anything spooky – Craig have been summarily about wrenching the bog to be a scientific look at giving the lucky audience the despatched to the Northolt roll from the petunias, Mum the paranormal – and, chance to wax spiritual with home of Pamela Early and mysteriously advised us to accordingly, used a format Mike Smith, who is heading her two young girls, Kim “be careful”. familiar to its audience. up the call centre.

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 51 “It’s a quality set-up. However, not all is what it seems. For, whilst Parky talks to Sarah and Craig via - an apparently live - video link, the outside scenes had, in fact, been recorded six weeks before.”

it? No. They’re messing with his time lurking about in our minds!) the cupboard under the stairs, which has been Now things really begin mysteriously tagged “the to cook. A damp patch is glory hole” and been discovered in the Earlys’ subsequently boarded up. front room, requiring a load (I dread to think what Pipes of experts to rush in and do is doing under there…) experty things, such as prod it and take away samples to Since this is a thorough a lab. Sarah runs to a French and scientific study of window, apparently freaked supernatural activity – out by the sound of some which should be clear from cats fighting. Craig turns up the fact that Mike Smith is his capering by a good sixty on board – in an attempt to per cent – and leaps out of a get final, clinching proof of It’s a quality set-up. supernatural explanation. closet! It’s edge of the seat the supernatural there are However, not all is what it Parkinson listens to her stuff! video cameras mounted in seems. For, whilst Parky spiel with a vague look of every room of the house. A terrible banging starts talks to Sarah and Craig via hostility… But, just when we think Mr. upstairs in the house. - an apparently live – video Pipes is unwilling to play As Sarah freaks out, Ms. link, the outside scenes had, It cuts to Smitty, who has ball, the sound of banging Early shrugs it off – this in fact, been recorded six a ‘live one’ on the suddenly intensifies weeks before. phones – a woman – and it’s coming from Slough is from the landing It’s a credit to the demanding to speak outside the girls’ scriptwriter, however, that with Dr Pascoe about bedroom. Spooling he’s managed to perfectly one of the pictures of back the relevant replicate all the boring shite the girls’ bedrooms video tape hoping and poor-quality adlibbing we saw earlier in to see Mr. Pipes, we that one would expect from the programme. are in fact shown a live TV show going slightly (Hmm, that did seem footage of nothing askew. For the first forty- extraneous at the more than Suzanne five minutes, almost nothing time!) The caller is Early smacking a happens at all, adding a adamant that, in the metal bar off the greater sense of tedious photograph, there boiler. reality to proceedings. After is a figure standing is, apparently, all, why would anyone pre- in the room. Despite Dr an everyday occurrence. Parkinson needs to record footage of Sarah Pascoe’s protestations, we It sounds quite a lot like see no more! Instantly Greene and Craig Charles see the picture again – and central heating problems, disparaging, he lays into titting about talking rubbish? there is, clearly a ghostly which is exactly what has Dr Pascoe for her rubbish Suddenly things change, figure standing by the led the family to nickname views on the supernatural Parky interviews Dr Lin curtains. It cuts again to Dr the ghost “Mr. Pipes”. (in fairness, he’s been Pascoe, a parapsychologist, Pascoe as she examines it building up to it for a who has made an in- on a monitor and then cuts According to the girls in the while). He concludes that depth study of the Earlys’ back to the picture again house, Mr. Pipes sometimes she has been the victim predicament and believes – this time there’s no one watches them when they’re of a hoax perpetrated by that there is definitely a there… (Did we all imagine in bed, but spends most of the girls. Pascoe splutters

52 HAUNTED MAGAZINE on, explaining that this is (That’s twenty years in the perfectly normal. Since, business for you.) But, Dr poltergeists often target Pascoe’s looking shaky. Not adolescents, their subjects as shaky as Smitty though, often try and prove they who is probably wondering aren’t making it up by how such a simple task as faking it. (Clearly, that is a heading up a telephone call he starts a Crimewatch- rubbish system.) centre could have possibly style “please don’t have gone so badly. nightmares, this is very manages to locate – a now Cutting back to the house rare” wrap-up line – only hysterical – Sarah, who for Sarah Greene to say her After some minutes’ anxiety to be interrupted by Dr immediately pulls away the last goodbyes to the studio and confusion, suddenly Pascoe, who has noticed pieces of wood that had the monitors blink something odd about the been covering the door to back on again video feed from the house. the glory hole. and, though they One of pictures that flew off have no sound, the living room wall earlier As the door swings open, it seems that life in the evening seems to be the camera captures a split- has returned to back in place. second vision of Pipes in normal in the his dress – before swinging house. Indeed, This can only mean one shut again – taking Sarah everyone seems thing – the images they are with it. As her screams to be happily seeing are not live! So what ring out, the camera signal ensconced in a is happening at the house? breaks up… game of cards Cutting back, the Back in the studio, and chatting unconscious bodies of Parkinson is so shocked with members of audience, various members of the by the events in the house it would appear more the TV crew. production team are now he has literally sat forward has gone on. No longer being carted out the Even Smitty can breathe in his chair. The lights is she boring members a sigh of relief, as the suddenly of the production crew dim, and for telephones have started by pointing out they look a minute the working again. He even like Mike Gatting (cheers, studio is left relaxes enough to put then!), instead she’s in shadow. another call through. This dodging flying furniture and It’s enough to time it’s a retired social listening to Suzanne Early cause instant worker, who claims to spout nursery rhymes in a panic with the have visited the Earlys’ demonic male voice, whilst production cowering behind a chair. house several years crew ago to see a lodger that (they’re as But, ever the professional, used to live there – a superstitious Sarah moves the story on, man named Raymond as sailors heading out to what she Tunstall. Whilst staying down believes to be the source of in the house, Tunstall front-door on the troubles – the glory hole! at Television apparently went mad stretchers. Despite this, Centre) and, especially, As assorted furnishings and developed paranoid another cameraman is Mike Smith who just and ornaments crash down delusions that he was despatched to find Sarah, apparently watched his wife around her, Sarah edges being taken over by an old carefully deploying his die on prime-time television. towards the hallway, when, woman - who was forcing infrared lens that we were suddenly, the picture cuts him to wear dresses and shown at length earlier in Suddenly, Dr Pascoe out… hurt people. In order to the programme. (Hmm, realises what is going escape from his tormentor, that did seem extraneous on – by bringing all those Back in the studio, the he hanged himself in the at the time). Heading back cameras into the house they monitors have all gone cupboard under the stairs. indoors, through a swirling have started a nationwide blank. The telephone kaleidoscope of night- séance! (Of course, it’s connections are dead. Even Parkinson chuckles at this vision (accompanied with obvious now!) Faced with the clocks have stopped. tall story (the arrogance!), much Silence of the Lambs- the awful truth, and fully Parkinson is unruffled. turning to the camera, style heavy breathing), he realising her own part in it,

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 53 “According to the Wikipedia article on Ghostwatch, in the weeks running up to the BBC airing the show, the corporation was worried about what effect it would have on the British public - and very nearly cancelled the screening.”

she runs from the building favourite nursery rhyme! page of that week’s edition movement in curtains, but – leaving Parkinson to carry Finally, it’s clear: the ghost is of the Radio Times. This one inventive viewer actually on, on his own. in the machine. would suggest that they attacked his wife and then After a moment’s gibbering, According to the Wikipedia were clamouring to get the blamed that on the show. Parkinson stands up and article on Ghostwatch, in programme exposure rather Clearly, in the days wanders aimlessly around the weeks running up to the than tentatively moving before The Jeremy Kyle the studio floor. (Since the BBC airing the show, the forward with the project. Show, a certain strata of cameras are unmanned, corporation was worried Whatever the case may be, the British public were the lucky viewer is treated about what effect it would the show certainly did have struggling to find proper to three minutes of Parky’s have on the British public an effect. So many people outlets. navy trouser crotch move in – and very nearly cancelled called the telephone hotline and out of focus.) Suddenly the screening. that the majority spent hours Still, for those of the auto-cue turns on again This seems unlikely, listening to the engaged us interested in the and, almost automatically, considering you can clearly tone – thus failing to hear a supernatural from a young he begins to read. But what see Michael Parkinson’s message pointing out that it age (I was a boyish 14 years is he reading? Only Pipes’ face adorning the front wasn’t real. old in 1992 – and already had loads of books about A lot of suggestible ghosts and shit) it must viewers (or possibly mad be said that Ghostwatch or attention-seeking delivered. viewers) actually claimed to experience “supernatural” Sadly, these days “the activity as a result of kids” have nothing – save seeing Ghostwatch. Much for repeats of Yvette of this involved what Fielding and Derek Acorah would otherwise seem scrutinising the bits of dust to be rather common- floating around the corridors place phenomenon, such of stately homes and calling as clocks stopping and them “orbs”…

54 HAUNTED MAGAZINE

RUSSELL EDWARDS

Russell Edwards is a 48 year old businessman, originally from Birkenhead, who has, after years of dedicated research, produced the definitive evidence to prove the identity of the world’s most famous murderer: Jack the Ripper. Russell, who is married with two children and now lives in the south east of England, explains here how a combination of chance, hard work and cutting edge science has finally resolved the 126 year old case: HAS DNA NAILED JTR?

It is more than seven slew of books, films and a famous artist, and years now since I television programmes. many more names have went to an auction His victims were all been thrown into the that changed my life. I unfortunate women, hat, alongside the list of bought a shawl: a large, struggling to survive in suspects that the police very old, silk shawl, dire poverty, most of them who were involved with damaged, with pieces selling their bodies to earn the case at the time missing. I have, over the enough money to pay for compiled. Over the years, years, bought houses, a bed for a night in a doss many criminologists cars, antiques, paintings house. and other valuable have puzzled over items. But the most Today, the crimes exert the facts. There is a precious thing I have almost as powerful a grip whole community of ever acquired is this on the public imagination ‘ripperologists’, people ancient piece of fabric. as they did then. Go to who share information on It has not only changed the East End of London on the net and devote their my life, it has changed any evening of the year, spare time to studying in history: from this shawl regardless of weather, minute detail the known we can now, with the and you will encounter facts of the case. help of the very latest scientific techniques, small bands of tourists Nowadays, much of prove, indisputably, and enthusiasts being the East End has been the identity of Jack the guided around the sights gentrified. There are wine Ripper, probably the of the Ripper’s crimes. bars and smart pavement most famous murderer There are Ripper tours in cafes, art galleries, in the annals of crime. many different languages, expensive shops. During and there never seems to the day there is a constant It was in 1888 that the be a shortage of visitors background noise of Ripper’s reign of terror wanting to hear the stories building work as old gripped the East End of the vicious crimes, and houses are renovated of London. In just a few and skyscrapers rise marvel at the way they brief months, he savagely on derelict land. In the murdered five prostitutes have remained unsolved. evenings smartly dressed (possibly more) and, men and pretty girls despite massive efforts There have been overflow from the pubs by the police and public, countless theories, many and bars, their mobile evaded capture, escaping of them outlandish, and phones plugged to their through the dingy streets, none of them verifiable. ears. But much of the old spawning the mystery A member of the Royal East End remains, if you that has fuelled a whole family, a Royal physician, look for it.

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 57 away without being it is today an archaic term, washed. It was handed but in Victorian times it was down the family, more very familiar, as a quarter recently spending a few day when rents and debts years in the care of the fell due. Black Museum at Scotland Yard. It was never on show: When I checked it out there was no proof, other I discovered there are than the family history. two dates for it: one in the western Christian So when it came up for church and the other in auction most experts the Eastern Orthodox dismissed it. But in Church. As I looked at the researching it, I had hit dates something hit me. I upon something which was checked it again and again. another massive moment The two dates coincided on my quest to identify the precisely with the nights of Ripper. According to the descriptions of Catherine the last two murder dates: Eddowes’ possessions, one the date of the murder, one item of her clothing on the same night, of two was described as being women, Elizabeth Stride patterned with Michaelmas and Catherine Eddowes daisies, the same pattern (where the shawl, if it was that covers the ends and genuine, was found), and borders of the shawl. I am a the other the date of the keen gardener, and I knew final and most horrifying what Michaelmas daisies of the Ripper murders, of are as soon as I saw a Mary Jane Kelly. It seemed, picture of them, but I had at last, that I had hit on never known their name. I something that nobody had to look up Michaelmas: else had noticed. My interest in the case was conclusion that the case triggered when I went, with was, indeed, unsolvable. my wife Sally, to our local cinema to see From Hell, It was at this point, in 2007, the Johnny Depp film about that a friend sent me a text the Jack the Ripper killings. alerting me to a newspaper It was pure chance: if there article about a shawl had been something else connected to the Ripper on the bill that evening, I case coming up for sale. might never have solved According to the owner the Ripper case. of the shawl, it had been in his family’s possession I started reading everything since the murder of I could find, and visiting Catherine Eddowes, one of the National Archives in the victims. His ancestor Kew to view as much of the had been a policeman on original paperwork as still duty in the East End, and exists. I was convinced when the body was being that there had to be escorted by police to the something, somewhere, mortuary, he asked a senior that had been missed, and officer if he could have the which would provide the large silk shawl for his wife, key to unlocking the case. who was a dressmaker. In those days, long before Researching the Ripper DNA testing, the victims’ became my hobby, an belongings were simply escape from the stresses burned, so he was given of a busy career and family permission to take it. life. But after six years I felt I had exhausted all His wife reacted in horror new avenues, and had to the blood stains, and, just about reached the amazingly, it was stowed

58 HAUNTED MAGAZINE Before deciding to buy it, The first tests he carried I had to trace a direct I rang the police officer out, using special descendant, down the in charge of the Black photographic analysis female line, of Catherine Museum to discuss its under different lighting Eddowes. authenticity. He told me conditions, were to that the police had always establish what the stains At first my research stalled, known the identity of the on the shawl were. I left the but eventually I traced a killer. He named a Polish shawl with him for the day, charming young woman. Jew, Aaron Kosminski, who the first of many trips to Karen Miller, whose family had fled to London with Liverpool with my precious tree led right back to his family, escaping the possession. The first Catherine, and she agreed to give me a sample of her Russian pogroms, a few breakthrough was when he DNA. years before the murders told me that the dark stains on the shawl were not just (and who would have been The next months involved aware of the two different blood, but were ‘consistent with arterial blood spatter a lot of very complicated Michaelmas dates). The caused by slashing.’ I and nail biting scientific police at the time did not was excited: the attack on research, following the have enough evidence to Catherine Eddowes would different strands of convict Kosminski, despite certainly have caused this the quest. There were a good identification by kind of blood distribution. incredible highs: I will a witness, but had kept never forget the moment him under round the clock To my surprise and when Jari told me that an surveillance until eventually further excitement, Jari expert colleague of his he was confined to a had found another stain had isolated DNA from mental asylum for the rest which fluoresced under his epithelial cells within of his life. lighting like seminal fluid. the semen stains. As a Although this first look was layman, I was enthusiastic This information was not conclusive, it seemed about every new step we not new: Kosminski was we had found semen on took, but Jari the scientist always one of the list of the shawl which could remained impartial, credible suspects, and lead us to one person: the testing and retesting to had been named, either Ripper himself. This was satisfy himself, and never obliquely or directly, by far more than I had hoped allowing his imagination senior policemen involved for when I first bought the to run ahead of the results in the investigation. I was shawl, when all I wanted ( as mine tended to do at now convinced the shawl was to establish that it was times.) was genuine and I was genuine and had been at jubilant when I succeeded the scene of the crime. While we waited for other in buying it, complete with results we set out to a letter of provenance There was another great establish the age of the shawl. If it had proved to about its history. bonus when Jari found evidence of split body be made after 1888 (with, The shawl was still heavily parts. One of Catherine for example, synthetic stained with what, I Eddowes’ kidneys was dyes), the whole thing presumed, was the victim’s removed by her murderer would obviously have been blood. I felt sure that (and later in his research a false trail. A combination of work done by Jari modern science would Jari was able to isolate a and a colleague of his, be able to produce real, cell which looks very like a kidney cell, although we using nuclear magnetic tangible evidence from resonance, and research these stains. After a couple have not carried out the final analysis on it yet.) by me into the traditions of false starts, I found a of silk shawls, led me from scientist at Liverpool John Work then began on the my first assumption that Moores University, Dr DNA of the blood stains. the silk was made by the Jari Louhelainen, Senior Because of the age of the Huguenot silk weavers Lecturer in Molecular sample it was not possible who lived in the East End, Biology, with two major to identify genomic to Russia (Poland was part lines of research: forensic DNA, but mitochondrial of Russia at the time). We genetics and medical/ DNA (which is passed concluded that the shawl mammalian genetics. Jari from mother to daughter almost certainly originated soon because my great downwards) survives much in the 1820s, most likely ally in the quest to identify better, and is unchanged from a famous Russian and definitively name the through the generations. shawl factory, Pavlovsky Ripper. To make a comparison, Posad.

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 59 would have passed on, through her female offspring, the same strand of mtDNA, and so the search was on for another descendant. Again, there were false starts, and good leads that led to stonewalls. It was very tricky: it is one thing to approach someone to tell them they are descended from a Ripper victim, quite another to tell them they are more than likely descended from the Ripper himself. Eventually I was, once again, lucky. The young woman I traced with the help of genealogists had heard family stories about the possible connection, and, after intelligently interrogating me about the evidence, she was willing to give a sample of her DNA for us to make the comparison. What followed was an incredible scientific odyssey, using cutting edge technology including laser capture microdissection, polymerase chain reaction, and whole I also realised it must have been left at the scene of the genome amplification ( which we literally would not crime by the Ripper himself: it was an expensive silk have been able to do five years earlier, the technique shawl, and Catherine Eddowes was grindingly poor, was so new.) For Jari there were long evenings in the pawning shoes to survive. She would never have owned lab, for me sleepless nights waiting for results. There a garment like it, especially as some of the dye in it was were disasters including lost vials of cells and the seal water soluble, and would have washed out in the rain (two of a package damaged in transit to Germany for DNA days before her death Catherine had walked back in the sequencing. That we completed the quest is down to rain from the hop fields of Kent to London.) generous help from other scientists, endless support The next eureka moment was when I heard the results from Jari, and, from me, a determination never to give of the DNA comparison of Catherine Eddowes and her in. Finally, the isolated and amplified DNA from the descendant, Karen Miller. Jari told me that there was a shawl was compared with the descendant’s, and, once perfect match on one of the tests. Even more significantly again, we had a match, seven years after I had bought he reported that Karen’s DNA has a rare variation known the shawl. as global private mutation, which only occurs in one As an extra bonus, a different analysis has shown that in every 290,000 people in the worldwide population. the Ripper’s DNA has Jewish and Russian ethnicity- yet Measured against London’s population in 1888, this another confirmation that we have the right man. variation would only have occurred in about fifteen people other than Catherine Eddowes. We now knew that the At last, science has definitively answered the biggest shawl was genuine, and it was at the scene of the crime mystery in criminal history. Jack the Ripper was Aaron back on 30th September 1888. On its own, this made Kosminski. And I, to my own great amazement, have it the single most important artefact in Ripper history: nailed him. nothing else has ever been linked scientifically to the Copyright © Russell Edwards 2014 scene of any of the crimes. Naming Jack the Ripper by Russell Edwards is Now we moved on to the most exciting part of the published by Sidgwick and Jackson in hardback at research, identifying the Ripper himself. Accepting the £16.99. information I had been given by the curator of the Black Museum, and which was corroborated in other research, I decided to concentrate on Aaron Kosminski. I researched what information is available about his family and his internment in two different mental asylums after the killing spree. There was no guarantee that he was the Ripper, but my instincts, coupled with the police evidence, told me he was the prime suspect, and, certainly the man to be the focus of my investigation. Kosminski had moved to the East End a few years before the murders and was 23 when Catherine Eddowes was killed and mutilated. The youngest of seven, he had two older brothers and a sister, all married with children, and was living with them in Greenfield Street, just two hundred yards from where the third victim, Elizabeth Stride, had been murdered less than an hour earlier. He himself had no descendants, but even if he had, he would not have passed on his mitochondrial DNA, as it goes down the female line. I knew where he was buried, but exhuming his body to access his DNA was not going to be easy, or even possible. But then Jari told me that one of his sisters

60 HAUNTED MAGAZINE

‘From the author of the gripping Amazon International #1 Bestsellers “Where the Dead Walk” and “Vessel”

JOHN BOWEN’S THE STEAL

“I’ll speak with candour, Mr Smith, I don’t have very Lucas and Mortcombe were the sole occupants of The much time left. This body is not only old, it is sick. I have Ship in a Bottle’s back room—affectionately called several extremely aggressive and malignant tumours on “The Broken Bottle” by its regular patrons. The pub my spine, and the cancer has more recently spread to sat on the corner of a less than salubrious street in my liver and pancreas. You face a dead man,” wheezed east London and while the décor wasn’t up to much, Mortcombe, “who desires just one last thing before mostly tables darkened with wood-stain and decades nature takes its course.” of spilt beer, and the landlord’s collection of boxing trophies behind the bar, it afforded Lucas exactly the Lucas perched on the wall, poised, hoping Giles was type of privacy he required. right. Using the make and specification of the motion- Although none of the trophies sported a date from the detecting cameras, he had computer-modelled the area present or previous decade, the landlord was still more they covered. In doing so he had discovered a thirty than capable of beating any unwise and unruly patron metre stretch of the right-hand wing of the property to raspberry jam. He looked the part too: original which suffered from a short window of blindness, gangster, and not of the Ice T variety. Pure London once every twelve minutes. When the camera below East End. Lucas paid him well for use of the room, him reached the zenith of its arc, Lucas dropped to sometimes in money, sometimes services rendered. the pristinely manicured lawn and sprinted to the next He would keep his mouth shut and the curious away. blind spot beneath the pergola. Lucas entered through the back door, his clients The mansion lay in a vast expanse of rural beauty, through the side, ensuring they would never be seen which at 3 a.m. was as dark as the devil’s basement— together, not once. to the naked eye. Through Lucas’s night-vision Lucas studied Rupert Mortcombe for a spell, and goggles, however, it was as bright as day, if you didn’t found nothing to give him reason to doubt what he’d mind your days cast in the gritty grey-green of night- just been told. He reckoned he had seen cartons of vision. Above, the sky was cloudless, the low-light milk with more optimistic expiry dates than the ghoul amplification punching up the stars, causing them to facing him across the table. burn white, like salt shaken onto black velvet. Mortcombe looked terrible, frail as a politician’s Hugging the mansion’s outer wall, Lucas crept forward. promise and old enough for his first childhood pet Twenty metres on lay the spot they had identified as to have been a trilobite. The motorised wheelchair the most vulnerable to forced entry. The target lay he occupied had a tank of oxygen strapped to it, the below ground level: a vault, twenty square metres of contents of which were carried to his nose through expensive, steel-walled, highly secure, electronically a thin translucent tube which forked like a snake’s protected secrecy, accessible via the study. tongue at the end. It was Mortcombe’s eyes which

62 HAUNTED MAGAZINE JOHN BOWEN’S THE STEAL

Taken from John Bowen’s ‘COLD SWEATS &VIGNETTES’

completed the picture of decaying corruption, though. knickers, but by god when it came to security systems Whether due to accident or birth defect, the pupil of his he was a grade A charmer. Then again, he should be, left eye was blown, permanently dilated, causing it to given what he charged for his expertise. appear much darker than his right. Lucas was reminded Lucas fixed the panel back in place and slipped back of David Bowie. Perhaps this was what Bowie might out into the hallway. The study and the vault below it look like, in a century or two… awaited him. Declawed. Lucas got down to business. “You want me to acquire The security operative who was supposed to be on shift, something for you.” keeping watch over the property tonight, a Mr Graham It wasn’t a question. This is was what he did. He obtained Thatch, was going to be late. On his way to work his things which were often otherwise unobtainable, usually phone had received pictures of his partner engaging because they weren’t for sale. He was a thief, a bloody in some very athletic lovemaking with a man who was good one. A true cat burglar, if such a thing existed most definitely not him. The photoshopped images were outside of fiction. incredibly well executed, utterly convincing. As Giles “Yes,” Mortcombe croaked. Clearly, just speaking was and Lucas expected, Thatch had called in to say he a struggle. “I’m prepared to pay very handsomely. The was going to be at little late, he had an emergency of a item resides in a vault, the security is world class.” personal nature to attend to. This had all been confirmed through the use of a cloned copy of his phone, obtained “I see,” Lucas said. “Well fortunately for you, Mr some weeks previously. Perhaps thirty minutes from Mortcombe, so am I.” now Thatch’s cover would arrive, but by then Lucas Lucas set the micro-drill to the screw heads. In seconds would be long gone and no one would be any the wiser, he was prising the access panel free and setting it against until the next time the collector visited his vault. the wall. The root security interface lay before him. He removed the black box from his pocket, connected it “The thing I desire means more to its owner than to the interface. Every system had its holes, this one’s anything,” Mortcombe wheezed from his chair. “It is was small but fatal. Once the black box had run Giles’s without doubt his most valuable and irreplaceable algorithm the vault would still appear to be armed, but possession. Would you find that a problem, morally would in truth be Lucas’s to wander through at leisure. speaking?” He waited, the black box’s display abruptly jittered with Lucas would not. His morals were remarkably strings of code before terminating in a jpeg of a large- flexible, nevertheless he went through the pretence of chested bikini-clad blonde giving a thumbs up. Lucas considering Mortcombe’s question, for appearance’s smiled. Giles might be walking talking chick repellent, sake. In truth, his stance was simple: He was a thief. unlikely to get inside even the least choosy woman’s As he saw it, things were just things. Save for air, food

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 63 JOHN BOWEN’S THE STEAL

and water, he could imagine nothing one man could take lost Seven Wonders of the World, was showing it off to which another could not honestly live without. and taking pleasure in the envy of someone who did “No, Mr Mortcombe. That won’t be a problem.” not. The inevitable result was occasionally, as with the Kraut, one or two couldn’t resist seeking an item for his own. Rare, but it happened. Lucas had on a number of Two walls of the study featured bookcases which occasions made it happen. stretched from floor to ceiling. Both held books, but one also concealed a secret. Lucas walked over and ran After the Kraut, Lucas had gotten curious and researched his fingertips around each shelf. He located the catch the whole area of long-stolen, lost or mythical treasures in short order, pressed it, heard a pleasing click and and artworks. Further clients presented themselves. As pushed the bookcase to the left. It slid neatly into the gigs went, they were close to perfect. He was stealing wall cavity, exposing a squat door, replete with biometric things which often weren’t supposed to even still exist handprint and retinal scanners, which thanks to Giles off people who weren’t supposed to have them, for other would now accept any hand, even gloved, and any people who weren’t supposed to have them either. The eyeball it encountered. benefits were obvious. No one could cry foul and call the law, no one could talk, and given the profile of the men Lucas offered up both. There was the briefest pause as you were dealing with the rewards were never less than something deep in the wall made a rapid series of clunks considerable. before the vault door swung open. Items in demand were commonly works of art, items of great historical significance, and religious relics Mortcombe told Lucas what he wanted. Another considered destroyed or lost forever. It was always ‘collector’ possessed an item he had long desired. the same deal too: steal just one particular item, leave Lucas had done some digging on Mortcombe, made a everything else untouched. Lucas knew better than to few educated guesses and suspected as much. His type take a little something for himself anyway. To do so was was secretive, but Lucas had accumulated good sources not just pointless, but dangerous. While all the items in over the years. Someone always knew something. these collectors’ stashes were ostensibly priceless, in reality they were worth only what you could fence them He had learnt about men like Mortcombe almost a for. A task which would be extremely difficult, and likely decade ago. A German shipping magnate had been suicide. Selling meant telling. the first of these secret collectors to secure his talents. The Kraut nursed a colossal hard-on for Caravaggio, The individuals among these collectors were some of and had sought Lucas out to steal a piece from another the wealthiest men on the planet; piss one off and they collector, a painting called Nativity with St Francis and St had the contacts and means to secure the services of Lawrence, which had itself been stolen to order in 1969 the finest assassins in the world for what amounted to, and not seen since. The Kraut already owned a modest for them, loose change. Really upset one, and no one collection of ‘lost’ works, mostly early nineteenth century would even know you were gone, you’d have long since thefts or pieces acquired by the Nazis during the war, vanished, been dissolved in acid and poured down some drain, fed though a wood-chipper into some secluded, but contentment is not in the nature of wealthy men. His fast flowing river… Lucas was uniquely vulnerable too. collection was a work in progress. Someone had what Technically ‘Lucas Smith’ didn’t exist, and the man he he could not bear not having himself. It was that simple. used to be had died years ago. Lucas Smith existed The German made pains to stress theft between nowhere but on fake documents and hacked computer collectors was rare; his ilk maintained the pretence of files. He ultimately planned to retire under yet another adhering to a kind of code of honour, an unspoken truce. identity, one with a number of offshore bank accounts, The truce was necessary because many such collectors and live out his autumn and winter years somewhere often knew what others owned, usually because they warm and as close to paradise as the wealth he had had seen their peers’ collections first hand. A naïve amassed afforded. person might ask why, but Lucas didn’t need telling. The These collectors and their jobs had provided Lucas some only thing more gratifying than owning the right ear of amazing sights, though. One actually had his collection the Colossus which once stood astride Rhodes harbour, arranged inside the lost Charlottenburg Palace Amber for instance, a chunk of one of the honest-to-goodness Room, another had two of the eight missing Faberge

64 HAUNTED MAGAZINE eggs of the House of Romanov. Some collections, Mortcombe fixed him with his rheumy gaze, the left however, comprised stranger stuff. One collector had a eye’s blown pupil like a borehole to oblivion; Lucas case which held the mummified corpse of what looked saw hunger. The kind of obsessive desire which was very much like a Yeti. Another owned not one but two immensely lucrative to a man with his particular skillset. Mengele lampshades, made from real human skin, and “Money is no object,” Mortcombe rasped. creepier stuff besides, occult stuff, things any sane person would never admit to owning. These types of “Then we have a deal, Mr Mortcombe.” collectors were rare, but they existed and it seemed the Lucas pulled a card from his jacket pocket; it carried creepy old fossil sitting before him was one of them, the details of an offshore bank account. “My advance and it seemed another collector of occult artefacts had needs to reach here in 48 hours, at which point I’ll something he wanted. An ancient treasure. The object of commence work. I’ll require the remainder of my fee Mortcombe’s passion. upon acquisition. I’ll notify you, and deliver the item on “It’s Egyptian,” the old man explained. “A human heart confirmation.” crafted from the bones of a high priest, ancient and Mortcombe nodded. “A word of warning…” he priceless. I’ve known of its existence for nearly thirty said. “I would refrain from touching anything in this years, and have yearned to call it my own every second man’s collection. Whatever your personal beliefs, the since. If I could do just this before I die… To have it, hold occult, black magic is very real, and dangerous. You it… It is truly beyond comp—” Mortcombe broke into understand?” a cough. He raised a bony hand to his mouth while his Lucas met Mortcombe’s sickly stare, that messed-up thin chest rattled and a thin flush of colour reached his left eye. When an insanely wealthy man whose money pale, thread-vein broken cheeks. For a moment, death you wanted said something, you did one thing: You almost felt like it was in the room. Hell, in the room? It agreed with him. was practically giving the old fart a lap dance. “I do.” At last Mortcombe recovered his composure, his breathing once more settling to a wheezing, phlegmy The vault hummed like a steel hive; dehumidifiers, crackle. thought Lucas. Not in itself surprising. The last thing you wanted was your priceless stolen treasures damaged “Excuse me,” he apologised, recovering his theme. “The due to something as simple as moisture, but these bone heart is beyond compare. Once I hold it, call it my seemed louder than he would have expected. As he own, I’ll be done. This rotten and failing excuse for a stepped forward the lights blinked to life, revealing its body can expire with my blessing.” interior. The vault was lined with a uniform carbon-grey Lucas nodded, thinking, Crazy old bastard. No, he material with a rippled texture. Lucas placed a hand corrected himself, crazy-rich old bastard. on the material, which gave slightly under his touch. It was dense, spongy: sound-proofing was Lucas’s “You should know that my fee for a job like this starts guess. No point having a secret vault if someone might here.” Lucas took out his phone, pulled up the notepad hear you tramping around inside. Although maybe the and tapped two figures into it. Each was several digits primary goal was to smother the aggressive noise of the in length. The first was his advance; the second equally dehumidifiers. large figure was the exchange payment. Both were triple what he would normally have asked, but he knew Given what he had been commissioned to steal he a seller’s market when he encountered one. And like shouldn’t have been surprised at what he saw, but there they said, it’s not like you can take it with you, right? If was some seriously odd stuff on display. Lucas saw what whoever was set to inherit Mortcombe’s estate saw a he was after directly ahead. It was clearly the collector’s little less, what did Lucas care? prize possession; his other secret treasures lay on either side, essentially forming a path to it. Lucas flipped the screen to face Mortcombe, who met the figure without batting an eyelid. “You understand Lucas advanced, eyeing the objects and artefacts and this may scale, depending on what’s required?” Lucas the accompanying plaques beneath as he passed. added, fearing even at triple he had inadvertently A jet-black skull perched on a dais. The description lowballed. read, ‘Gobel Babelin, Würzburg Witch Trials, 1626’.

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 65 JOHN BOWEN’S THE STEAL

A ragged-looking thick leather-bound book sat on a Well Lucas was about to make the old fart’s wishes pedestal tied closed with what looked like human hair. come true. Its plaque simply read, ‘The Mephisto Arcane’. He reached for the heart… A curious doll sat quietly on the next dais, clearly crafted Lucas felt the object under his fingertips for the leanest from assorted junk: a scarred zippo lighter for its torso, instant, the same instant the mummy’s eyes snapped legs made from rolled up photographs, arms of rolled open. Its gaze fastened upon him, rheumy and hard, tin. The head was a crudely string-tied stuffed cloth one pupil blown, a malignant bull’s-eye above the bulb, with hair glued atop, and buttons for eyes sewn on gently curling smile of the Egyptian death mask. front. It was flecked with dark brown stains which could only be dried blood. It was labelled, ‘Wicca. Dahl’. The subsequent wrench was swift and violent. The scene before him vanished, was replaced by another. On the next dais there was a pitted stone, carved into the shape of an ugly dancing figure in a glass box: ‘Imp, Lucas peered through the eye slits of the thing suddenly Celtic – Cursed’. covering his face, smelt his own hot and rotten breath, Next in line, a wooden Ouija board: ‘A. Crowley, 1906’. the crackle of his small and feeble chest… His mind scrambled to make sense of what he saw. A man he Lucas had seen enough. The items were clearly prized faced in the mirror every morning stood before him, possessions, but still just things. Just things. Save for looking back. His head was cocked to one side, his air, food and water? One man could take nothing which expression one of mingled satisfaction and relief. another could not honestly live without. Lucas tried to move but found his limbs now shackled Time to get to it. beneath the robes and linen wrappings which covered He approached the item he was shortly to earn an him. obscene amount of money for securing. The mummy The man before him turned, strolled to the vault’s was seated in a simple wooden chair. Its linen wrappings entrance and exited through the heavy steel door. It were remarkably well-preserved, a wonderfully crafted slammed shut behind him, leaving nothing but pitch- Egyptian death mask covered its desiccated face, an black darkness. object which itself must have been priceless. Lucas marvelled; it was a fabulous example. As with many In the secret sound-proofed vault Lucas began to Egyptian death masks it featured painted jewellery and scream. thick black eye makeup around the two eye slits, and a faint smile playing upon the delicately worked features. Taken from the short story collection Cold Sweats and It was not, however, what Lucas had been sent to steal, Vignettes by John Bowen. Copyright John Bowen 2015. this item lay in the mummy’s two withered arms, palms Reprinted with the author’s permission. facing up in its lap. Here was the trinket Mortcombe desired: an intricately carved heart made from human bone. Lucas marvelled at the craftsmanship. He had seen, and occasionally stolen, many Egyptian works. One client had prized figures worked from clay, bone and ivory, tiny things which begged you to search out a magnifying glass to truly appreciate the detail… The bone heart in the mummy’s hands was to scale, masterfully carved and crafted. Veins were worked from the surface, so pristine they almost looked ready You can find John Bowen’s books at Amazon. to pulse and thump to life. The seams where the bone had been fashioned together were fine enough to be near invisible. Lucas could appreciate why someone with Mortcombe’s tastes would want it. It was ugly and Visit John Bowen’s Author Page Here beautiful in equal measure, and to Lucas’s knowledge utterly unique.

66 HAUNTED MAGAZINE COMING SOON TO HAUNTED MAGAZINE

THE JOURNALS OF DR QUENTIN WEIR aka DR QUEER

by Bambos Georgiou & Mychailo Kazybrid

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 67 BY E.O.HIGGINS

“E O HIGGINS IS AN AUTHOR AND JOURNALIST. HIS FIRST For as long as I can upon perhaps the finest remember, I have been analysis of the ‘Autumn NOVEL CONVERSATIONS WITH SPIRITS WAS PUBLISHED fascinated by the Victorian of Terror’ ever made: The LAST YEAR, BECOMING AN AMAZON BESTSELLER AND period. Secret Identity of Jack the Ripper. BEING SUBSEQUENTLY NOMINATED BY FOR THE GUARDIAN / When I was about eight EDINBURGH LITERARY FESTIVAL’S ‘FIRST BOOK AWARD’. years old, my first foray Introduced by a heavily- into the world of writing sweating Peter Ustinov, IN HIS SPARE TIME, HE OCCASIONALLY PRETENDS TO BE A was in producing a small the show was recorded in PSYCHIC MEDIUM CALLED LAARS HEAD.” pamphlet on the most 1988 – “one hundred years notorious crime of that after those terrible events period – the Jack the in Whitechapel”. Clearly Ripper killings. in America. Clearly for an American audience. Although, it was a fairly derivative piece; cobbled Ustinov begins by together, as it was, from glowering into the camera, two Encyclopaedia entries warning the audience that and then badly-typed up this ‘investigation’ is not on my mother’s Olivetti for thrill-seekers, but that (my life hasn’t really it is, in fact, a scientific progressed much), it analysis of the murders represented something an – and the murderer. As early obsession for me… he makes this point, the frame of the shot opens Two nights ago, I up to reveal that he is attempted to reacquaint walking across a studio myself with the facts of the set clearly borrowed from Ripper case – and, having the musical version of A headed to YouTube, I was Christmas Carol, but with not disappointed. For it the street-lamps dimmed was there that I stumbled and an overworked dry

68 Watch “The Secret Identity of Jack the Ripper” A here. VICIOUS KILLER STALKS THE STREETS OF LONDON ice machine pumping the ‘London particular’ across the shiny studio floor.

Leaving the Victorian street-scene behind him, Ustinov mooches across to the other side of the studio, where a bunch of ‘crime professionals’ are seated around a wooden table, rustling papers and looking serious. They are the Curator of Scotland Yard’s Black Museum, a female Judge (Ustinov looks appalled) and two Special Agents with the FBI.

After a thumbnail sketch of the Ripper killings – made all the more terrifying by performances by some of Britain’s weakest character actors – and an ‘on location’ report about the serial-killer by serial- bride Jan Leeming (she’s knocked up a tally of five, as well), we are presented with our Ripper suspects:

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 69 THE SECRET IDENTITY OF JACK THE RIPPER

ROBERT DONSTON depression, though also a Catholic. To the later, their accounts had why either of these staunchly-Protestant radically changed – he STEPHENSON traits would serve Queen, Kelly’s had now become the to strengthen his Catholicism represented Ripper that we all know A journalist and writer candidacy as a suspect a constitutional and love, stalking the interested in the occult is perhaps less easy to emergency (being a fog-covered cobbles, and black magic. explain. prostitute was fine). wearing a top hat and Stephenson authored Gull and his driver, John full evening dress. a newspaper article, DR WILLIAM GULL Netley, were dispatched (Makes sense - if you’re which claimed that to the East End to rectify going to cut a woman black magic was Gull was the ‘physician- the situation. Only to to pieces in a stinking the motive for the in-ordinary’ to Queen discover that Kelly had alleyway in the East killings and alleged Victoria. It is unlikely, informed four of her End, you may as well that the Ripper was a therefore, that he spent friends of the marriage, dress for it). much time hanging who also have to be Frenchman. Prince Eddy is back around the squalid East silenced. Gull, being a again, this time he’s According to the show, End of London. He was Mason, finished them off contracted syphilis Stephenson’s landlady also in his mid-fifties, in the style of a Masonic and gone mad – killing was so suspicious of looked nothing like the ritual (which may or may the prostitutes on his him that she searched contemporary pictures not actually exist). own. Considering he his room – only to find a of Jack the Ripper, was Though this theory is was in Balmoral for cache of blood-stained never suspected at the ridiculous, it did lead one of the murders and cravats. This either time of the murders, and Alan Moore and Eddie Sandringham for two proves he was definitely was in failing health – Campbell to create the others, this is, again, Jack the Ripper – or, at having suffered a stroke excellent graphic novel unlikely to be our man… the very least, quite bad two years previously. at shaving. From Hell. So, for that Let’s face it, it wasn’t at least, we can be him. AARON KOZMINSKI MONTAGUE JOHN thankful. Gull only became Kozminski was a poor DRUITT a Ripper suspect PRINCE “EDDY” ALBERT Polish Jew who was when Stephen Knight admitted to Colney Druitt was a failed VICTOR published his spurious Hatch Lunatic Asylum barrister, forced to in 1891. He was named account of the murders, supplement his income The Royal theories have as a chief suspect by Jack the Ripper: The by working as an been bandied around for Metropolitan Police Final Solution, in the assistant schoolmaster years. Commissioner Melville in Blackheath. 1970s. Although the Macnaghten in an 1894 memorandum. He committed suicide The Masonic contemporary eye- shortly after the last conspiracy, outlined in witness accounts the book, has Prince painted Jack the Ripper Macnaghten’s claim canonical Ripper is that Kozminski was murder. Eddy (Queen Victoria’s as a foreign-looking grandson) being secretly man with a moustache identified as the Ripper It is hinted at during married to the last and deerstalker- but that no prosecution the show that he was Ripper victim, Mary type hat, when those could be made against also homosexual Kelly, who was not same witnesses were him because the and suffering from only a prostitute but interviewed again years witness refused to

70 HAUNTED MAGAZINE THE SECRET IDENTITY OF JACK THE RIPPER

testify. It turns out as the old documents in an that has been said over thoughts about any programme goes along, attempt to get to the the course of the last rogue thrill-seekers that that Macnaghten may bottom of it all, to little two hours. might have viewed the have been somewhat avail. Finally, under clear ‘documentary’ without confused, since he A pair of television- duress, the panel heeding his words of refers to the suspect are forced to make a friendly ‘Ripperologists’ caution. “Kozminski” (first name – in the shape of Martin choice between the five and any other details Fido and Colin Wilson suspects – and all, fairly As the credits roll, he omitted) as a violent – are wheeled out to reluctantly, plump for crosses back to the woman-hating maniac, provide expert opinion Kozminski. who was sent to the mists of the Victorian and to lend their support “It’s unanimous!” Asylum in late 1888 but street-scene – with to none of the above. (It chirps Peter Ustinov, killed himself shortly makes you wonder how the unusually-strained afterwards. turning to the camera. the less TV-friendly ones “Good night ladies and gait of a man who has might look…) According to Colney gentleman”. Looking recently soiled his Hatch records, Aaron Finally, the action moves momentarily away, trousers. It is a fitting Kozminski was admitted back to the American Ustinov suddenly end to such a show. there, but was actually studio, where Ustinov swings his head back, And it is probably for (now pacing around like adding mysteriously: rather a gentle figure this, if for no other who was confined in Poirot working up to the “Oh. And sleep well…” reason, that The the institution mainly denouement) addresses Grim-faced, Ustinov Secret Identity of Jack for poor dietary habits the criminologist panel drifts forward, perhaps and a refusal to wash again - demanding to the Ripper is worth entertaining dark (surely this wasn’t know, once and for all, watching. that uncommon in the who the mysterious East End in 1888?). killer was. Moreover, far from killing The female Judge himself, Kozminski (referred to as ‘pretty’ carried on living at the by Ustinov in an aside asylum for a further that is both patronising thirty years… and wildly inaccurate in one move) is first. She Back in the studio, discounts Gull, Prince we are once more Eddy, Stephenson and addressed by Ustinov pretty much everyone (his shirt is now else. The Black Museum absolutely sopping), Curator concurs. This and he’s trying to make leaves the two FBI sense of the largely- agents, who provide a contradictory evidence very dry ‘psyche-profile’ that has been provided. of the murderer – which In London, Jan totally ignores and Leeming is poring over undermines everything

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 71 SHORT STORY

BY R.L. ANDREW

wo days after dying I Doom and penance formed a grave error. I’d stupidly screams from the bravest Tre-woke for the first into a fiery demon, offering acted out my own form of men. time. I bolted to alertness, a choice that became vengeance for those that My dried eyeballs hold overwhelmed by a sense a distinction without a couldn’t. No more time to supernatural acuity, boring of wrong. I’d died, ripped difference. change my ways, to say through the human soul, from the human world goodbye to Julie and the Tonight is like all others. into the depths of nothing kids.What a fool. revealing the depths of The smell of wet dirt and and everything. Refusing their depravity. Catching decomposing flesh infiltrate My multitude of sins to accept the eternal a glimpse of myself in a my nose. I shuddered; the and wrongdoings made separation, I fought against reflective surface startles stank came from me. uncomfortable bedmates even me. the force ready to claim in this dirt prison. I had me. I clawed away from Laying imprisoned in my forever to regret them. I I fight the urge to eat judgement; I would not coffin waiting for my fate to envied the boredom of life innocent human flesh, accept my fate nor would I be delivered or released, I now. rather, I feed on the pray for forgiveness. recall how bored I’d been miscreants, evil, and in my previous existence. My current situation doesn’t Something took pity on tormentors. But, fear tastes A walking meat bag escape lamentation; its a me, though in retrospect divine no matter its source. driven by power, greed fate worse than death. Beef took advantage would be and a misguided sense of jerky life muscle and sinew During the day, this shell more apt. I’d received a justice. The only difference holds my bones together. stays while the ‘me’ part second chance. One night between past me and the Dehydrated patches of skin disappears, as if I cease to changed the status of my ones I now eviscerate; cover my rotting corpse. exist. Upon waking, I wait physical death, and my the tarnished Detective’s Worms wriggle their way for the magic of midnight. I soul’s destiny. A wavering through my skull out eroded badge beside me. have until dawn to explore, flame appeared out of nose holes. A lipless mouth devour and consume. an enveloping darkness, I’d stared down two barrels filled with razor sharp teeth growing in intensity until it in the hand of the guy we’d sharp enough to slice I pray each night before seared through my tortured fitted up, At that moment through bone as easily as release; please can this be being. it occurred to me I’d made a knife through butter illicit the last night?

72 HAUNTED MAGAZINE When it is clear my prayer invades available orifices. I remove the left arm. He It struggles, screeching at wasn’t answered, I tear, rip, I sniff the air to hone the struggles. I must taste him me. Ignoring its attempts slaughter, and bifurcate, smell: Nigel Parson, 68, now. to wound me, I pull until it bathing in their hot blood. Barkeeper, Sex Offender, The left arm tears off, is within my firm grip. I hold and Murderer. its horrific head between I question had I lived, blood sprays from the open my hands, forcing it to look would I have eventually A clear sky aides the site. I fling it into the air. into my eyes. A righteous become one of them? search. I bound through The struggling stops. He heat emits from me. It is It immediately occurs shadows, creeping around falls against me, breathing almost too much to bare. to me I already was. buildings. The urge to shallow. It makes the rest Seconds pass; it releases. Totally absorbed by self not as fun, but I still savour feed overwhelms me. The The creature disintegrates importance and power, each moment. cravings are my downfall. into nothing. I am still bubbling away until it Like a junkie needing their My teeth chomp into his hungry. consumed me. fix, I must have mine to warm neck. I tear chunks Yearning takes hold, Oh please let it be sate unbearable pain. of sweet flesh. They slip like ice cream down my unquenchable desire tomorrow night when I A middle aged balding man ready throat. I barely floods through me. don’t wake up again, that I leaves a bar via the back am finally free? swallow, sucking the head The back door of the door. His large gut hangs and neck dry, letting the club bangs open. Two The moment of release over jeans, and a Hawaiian red fluid run down my chin couples exit, the men’s is imminent. Skin forms shirt hugs the bulging onto my chest. It cools my arms wrapped around covering the bare bones, body for dear life. He hot skin. women’s waists, chattering muscles forming, power approaches a blue Ford, I toss the head onto a and laughing. In my day pumps through my body. keys fumble in chunky nearby car. It hits with so little clothes would be No freedom tonight. A fingers. a thud, and falls to the disgraceful. crack of moonlight spikes My wretched body sings, ground. I consider making through a hole in the dirt. vibrating in the electric it a bowling ball and rolling I pause, should devour A roar bellows from deep air. I absorb the darkness, over trash cans just for the them too? Does lascivious within, the ground shakes. allowing its warmth to hell of it. behaviour constitutes a I allow the change to take envelope me. I wait until sin? I search with relish over me, transforming My attention returns to every inch of their souls; he opens the car door. Be what remains. I watch for my decaying body into a patient. deflated to find nothing to another hideous creature. the evil worm that any constitute their death. The It’s all I can do to stand second now will attempt to power still ebbs within me, I lash my forked tongue still, but, surprise adds a escape, seeking another I’m not satisfied. side to side, each sense delicious flavour. One, two chance to live. They are sharpens, heightens. I am three, I pounce plunging always there, feeding off This internal fight plagues ready. my pitiful existence, my claws into his back. I the evil within. holding me back. e. Neither A strong scent of sin and fill his mouth with my tail, It’s tentacles creep in life nor death can I ruin drifts by in the late silencing any impending forward. I thrust my hand control myself. Summer breeze. I push screams. Claws imbedded, into the neck cavity, grasp upwards, the lid separates. I pull him closer. With a the creature and pull with Initially I’d been appalled at I dig to the surface, dirt slurp, crack and squish, unholy might. what I became,

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 73 SHORT STORY

but after a few nights of wreaking havoc and chaos, I relented. An irresistible power and power always was the biggest aphrodisiac. I drop the body and delve into the shadows of a nearby alley. One of the women, a blonde with long legs sees me flee. Her line of sight returns to the spot I left, noticing the body and bloody mess. The screams ricochet through the carpark. I watch the others scatter, leaving the women standing alone. If I had a heart it would be pounding. A flush of guilt invades my mind, but I push it aside. In my former life I would have considered her beautiful, now its not her desirable form I seek. I can taste her intense fear from here. I want to grab her, taste R.L Andrew is a chronically ill Australian writer. When her, I want her flesh in my mouth. she isn't posting movie reviews for a leading New York No, be strong, or this will be your fate longer. Website (CrypticRock.com), RL is reading both fiction I cannot fight it. The urge is too much. and non-fiction or alternatively doing what she loves most; writing. From the time she was young, RL has I rush to her, tail flicking, teeth grinding. She stand frozen been an avid reader, and was introduced at a young in fear. I quicker in anticipation. I inhale deeply. She smells age to the works of Edgar Allen Poe, and Stephen King. exquisite. This was the beginning of a lifelong love of horror. RL I relent. She tastes as good as she looks. takes inspiration for her work from her love of all things strange, weird, and the funny situations in everyday life.

THE END RL continues to read and write crossing a number of genres, but still loves watching a good scary movie. After raising three daughters, RL lives in rural Victoria with her husband and furry son, chocolate Labrador, Max. She is currently editing her first novel, which she deems ‘soft’ science fiction; A Lunatics Guide to Interplanetary Relationships, and hopes to traditionally publish.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL? Get in touch! Whether it’s fact or fiction, if we like it - we’ll publish it. Email your stories to [email protected]

74 HAUNTED MAGAZINE SHE MAKES HAUNTED MAGAZINE on the web:

BLOODY GOOD www.haunteddigitalmagazine.com CAKES! www.hauntedafterdark.com www.deadgoodnewsstand.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ HauntedDigitalMagazine To start with the cupcakes pre-heat Twitter: @hauntedmagazine @ your oven to 160degrees. haunteddigital In either an electric mixer or hand Check out these fantastic titles held whisk add 590g of the cupcake brought to you by Dead Good mix and add the eggs to this. Publishing Ltd Mix on a medium speed for one Haunted Digital Magazine min, stop, scrape down the mixer www.haunteddigitalmagazine.com and bowl, then mix for a further 2 minutes. Haunted: After Dark www.hauntedafterdark.com Slowly add the vegetable oil to avoid splashes for a further minute, Head over to the Dead Good then finally slowly add the water. Newsstand for: INGREDIENTS: Mix all for a minute then your UFO Today batter is done. At this stage feel free Space Monsters - Digital Edition Vanilla Cupcake mix to add any extras such as chopped We Belong Dead - Digital Edition Available from Sweet Success fruit or chocolate chips if desired 205g of egg (Aprox 4 medium Multitude of Movies - Digital Edition Eggs) Add to cupcake liners and bake for around 15 minutes however keep a 175g of Vegetable Oil close eye on these as cooking times ------130g of water vary depending on the oven. Buttercream: Got a story to tell? Want to feature Once done the cupcakes should in the magazine? Email: 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean extract be golden and spring back when [email protected] (vanilla flavouring will also work) pressed on the top. 500g of lurpac unsalted butter Once completely cool mix up the Got a product to sell? Want to use 1kg icing sugar buttercream. and abuse the magazine? Email: 120g milky bar chocolate Melt the chocolate until smooth [email protected] The Blood: and allow to cool for around 5 mins ------to ensure it isn’t too warm when One squeeze of red food colouring being added the butter cream. gel, I used “Christmas red” Combine the butter, icing sugar and Haunted Magazine 2 capfuls of clear alcohol, I used vanilla together in a separate bowl lime vodka - you can adjust these Will Return Spring 2016 and once a smooth buttercream quantities to personal preference to consistently slowly add the cool © DEAD GOOD PUBLISHING LTD 2015 get the right colour/consistency to melted chocolate until combined All the respective photography in this magazine suit you To pipe in swirls in add to a piping © is held by the individual photographer The Syringes: bag and use the Wilton 1M nozzle. concerned. All rights reserved. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, display, 5ml syringes - these are very cheap Once decorated fill your syringes modify, plagiarise, transmit, or exploit any of the from pharmacies with the jam and stab into the material from this publication. You are permitted Seedless jam - filing 24 syringes cupcakes then drop the blood over took a full the cakes with either a teaspoon or to produce one print copy for personal use. Size hartleys jam brush!

HAUNTED MAGAZINE 75