Into the Shadows: Macomb Paranormal Investigations

Six people joined hands in the dark on Halloween night. When the lights came back on 91 seconds later, one of them was dead.

In this special episode of Into The Shadows, Don Alter takes you inside The Last Séance, a Detective Mara Calehart case file set in an old Victorian house on Halloween night. A paid medium. A family with secrets. A skeptical neighbor who swears he watched the planchette spell out a name no one will admit they know.

Then Don, a former insurance investigator and 25-year Detroit police veteran, pulls back the c...

Inside the old Stimson Hospital in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, our team recorded a voice-like sound that seems to say "Get out of my way." What was it? We don't call it proof. We'll let you decide.

Don Alter spent 25 years with the Detroit Police Department. Today he is an author and paranormal investigator who writes about the places he investigates, and in this episode he takes you inside all of it:

- The Detective Mara Calehart paranormal murder mysteries, where real police work meets the things that don't fit, including the newest release, The Lightless...

Before asking whether the Provencal–Weir House is haunted, we need to know its story.

In this episode of Into the Shadows, Don Alter explores the house’s history in Grosse Pointe Farms: the Provencal family, the children they cared for, the Weir family, and the moves and changes that shaped the house we see today.

With a history spanning two centuries, could the house also hold paranormal activity? It may. Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research has not investigated it yet, so that question remains open. For now, we begin with the people and events that...

Before Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research enters the former Stimson Hospital, we step back into its long and complicated history.

Built as a private residence in the 1870s, the building was later transformed into the Harriet Chapman Hospital by nurse Harriet Chapman and Doctors Charles Stimson and Francis Blanchard. It became an important part of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, but its history also includes tragedy—most notably Doctor Blanchard’s fatal fall down the hospital’s elevator shaft in 1919.

In this introductory episode, Don Alter examines the hospital’s documented history, local legends, reported deaths, and the para...

You return home from a paranormal investigation at 2:00 AM in the morning. The house is quiet—until a hallway light turns on by itself and three slow knocks come from inside the wall.

Did something follow you home, or has fear changed the way you are interpreting what is happening around you?

In this episode of Into the Shadows, Don Alter examines one of the most disturbing questions in paranormal investigation: What should you do when activity turns dark and you believe a possible malevolent entity has followed you home?

Drawing on his ex...

Start the Detective Mara Calehart series and receive the first three chapters free: https://donalter.com/start-the-detective-mara-calehart-series

A scientist dies alone inside a secure laboratory. The doors were locked, the systems were monitored, and the evidence appeared contained.

Then his credentials logged back in after his death.

In this special video episode of Into the Shadows, author and investigator Don Alter takes you inside the mystery at the heart of The N-9 Protocol—the first novel in the Detective Mara Calehart Paranormal Murder Mysteries.

Detective Mara Calehart is an ev...

The Smurl family haunting became one of America’s most disturbing and controversial paranormal cases. The family claimed their Pennsylvania home was plagued by unexplained noises, terrible odors, shadowy figures, violent attacks, and an increasingly powerful presence they believed was demonic.

Join Don and Jake from Macomb Paranormal Investigations for a special live edition of Into the Shadows. They will discuss the Smurl family case, examine its most frightening claims, and share their thoughts about the earlier podcast episode released last night. Was the family truly terrorized by something supernatural, or could another explanation be hiding behind th...

Step inside one of America’s most frightening and controversial paranormal cases—the haunting of the Smurl family.

After moving into a duplex in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, Jack and Janet Smurl claimed their family was terrorized by unexplained pounding, foul odors, moving objects, shadow figures, violent attacks, and a dark presence that appeared to grow stronger with time. Their desperate search for help eventually attracted paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, members of the Catholic clergy, skeptical researchers, and national media attention.

Was the Smurl family trapped inside a house with something demonic? Could the terr...

Welcome back to Into the Shadows with Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research!

After taking a short break, Don Alter and the Macomb Paranormal team are returning for an exciting new season filled with chilling true paranormal stories, haunted locations, unexplained encounters, historical mysteries, and evidence from actual investigations.

This season will also feature live podcast discussions with Don and Lead Investigator Jake as they examine famous haunting cases, question the reported evidence, consider possible natural explanations, and discuss what might remain unexplained.

More episodes are coming soon, along with new investigations, special guests...

Podcast Description:

In this episode of Into The Shadows, we explore the dark history and haunted legends of the old Ursuline Convent in Toledo, Ohio, now known as the Collingwood Arts Center.

Once a place of faith, education, prayer, and discipline, this massive Gothic-style building has stood for generations. It served as home to the Ursuline Sisters, St. Ursula Academy, and Mary Manse College before becoming an arts center. But many believe the building’s past never fully left.

Reports of shadow figures, unexplained footsteps, cold spots, disembodied voices, and the ghostly figure of...

Step into the world of paranormal investigation as takes a hard look at one of the most debated tools in ghost hunting — the EMF meter. Are investigators truly detecting spirits trying to communicate, or are they simply picking up hidden electrical interference from wiring, appliances, power lines, and environmental contamination?

In this episode of Into The Shadows, retired police officer and lead investigator Don Alter breaks down the science behind electromagnetic fields and explains why conducting a detailed baseline EMF sweep is one of the most important steps before labeling anything as paranormal. From faulty wiring and ce...

At Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research, we want to make it clear that we did not conduct a paranormal investigation at River Raisin National Battlefield Park. Paranormal investigations, ghost hunting, ghost tours, or similar activities are not permitted within National Park Battlefield areas, and we fully respect those rules.

We also recognize that this land carries deep historical, cultural, and spiritual importance, including connections to Native American history and heritage. Out of respect for the law, the National Park Service, the Native American communities connected to this land, the descendants of those involved, and the memory of...

On May 8th, 2026, Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research investigated Mortuary Manor, and what we found was more than what we expected.

Deep in Northern California stands Mount Shasta — a massive volcanic mountain surrounded by stories of UFO sightings, missing time, strange lights, unexplained voices, paranormal encounters, and one of the strangest psychological mysteries of all… the Mandela Effect.

Why do so many people claim Mt. Shasta feels “different”? Why do witnesses report reality itself seeming distorted on the mountain? Could powerful electromagnetic fields, volcanic gases, and natural frequencies affect human perception… or is something far stranger happening beneath the mountain?

In this episode of Into The Shadows: Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research, Don Alter dives deep into the t...

Some legends are just stories… but others leave behind questions nobody can answer.

Deep in the wilderness near Ellensburg, Washington, lies one of the most disturbing paranormal mysteries in America — a bottomless pit known only as Mel’s Hole. Witnesses claimed the hole had no end. Animals refused to go near it. Dead creatures thrown inside were said to return alive. Then came the rumors of strange lights, military involvement, government secrecy, and something hidden beneath the earth that was never meant to be found.

Was Mel’s Hole a portal? A supernatural anomaly? A secret g...

Deep within the forests and forgotten backroads of Michigan, a terrifying legend has survived for generations. Witnesses speak of pale humanoid creatures with massive heads, glowing eyes, and twisted smiles lurking just beyond the tree line. They are known only as… the Melon Heads.

In this chilling episode of Into The Shadows – Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research, we uncover the dark folklore, alleged sightings, rumors of an abandoned asylum, and disturbing encounters tied to one of Michigan’s strangest urban legends. Were the Melon Heads escaped children from secret experiments? Victims hidden away from society? Or something far mo...

What if the most terrifying horror movie ever made was based on real events?

In this chilling episode of Into The Shadows – Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research, we uncover the disturbing true story that inspired The Exorcist. Long before the spinning heads, strange voices, and split pea soup made horror history, a real family claimed their child was tormented by an unseen force that doctors, psychiatrists, and priests could not explain.

We dive deep into the alleged possession case that shocked America in the late 1940s, the secret exorcism rituals performed behind closed doors, terrifying ey...

What if the terrifying things people experience in haunted places are not always caused by ghosts… but by fear itself?

In this chilling episode of Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research, we explore the disturbing connection between fear and paranormal activity. Can intense emotions change the way we see the world? Can fear trigger hallucinations, shadow figures, and ghostly encounters… or could it actually attract something darker?

From haunted houses and sleep paralysis to shadow people, mass hysteria, and real paranormal investigations, we dive deep into the psychology of terror and the terrifying possibility that fear may...

Beneath the peaceful beauty of Traverse City lies a hidden world most people never see… a network of dark, abandoned tunnels built beneath one of Michigan’s most infamous insane asylums. Once used to transport heat, supplies, and possibly even patients, these underground corridors have become the center of chilling legends, unexplained encounters, and terrifying whispers in the dark.

In this episode of Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research, we uncover the full history of the Junction Insane Asylum Tunnels—from their construction in the 1800s to the eerie experiences reported by those who dare to walk them today...

Long before their cases inspired blockbuster films like The Conjuring, Ed and Lorraine Warren were already investigating some of the most terrifying and unexplained hauntings in American history.

Ed, a self-taught demonologist, and Lorraine, a claimed clairvoyant and medium, dedicated their lives to investigating the paranormal—founding the New England Society for Psychic Research in the early 1950s. Together, they explored thousands of cases involving hauntings, demonic oppression, and alleged possession.

From the infamous Amityville Horror to the chilling case that inspired The Conjuring, the Warrens became both celebrated and controversial figures. Believers saw them as...

Hidden deep in the forests of Michigan lies a place most people will never find… and those who do… wish they hadn’t.

Pere Cheney, Michigan, was once a thriving logging town in the late 1800s—full of life, families, and opportunity. But within just a few short years, everything changed.

Deadly disease spread through the town… Fires destroyed what remained… And one by one, the people vanished.

But the darkest part of this story isn’t what history tells us…

It’s what came after.

Step inside one of Ohio’s most chilling locations… Mortuary Manor in Toledo. Once a real funeral home where countless final goodbyes were said, this historic building is now surrounded by stories of shadow figures, whispers in empty halls, unexplained footsteps, heavy energy, and spirits that may never have moved on. In this special episode, we uncover the dark history, tragic rumors, reported deaths, and haunting paranormal claims that have made Mortuary Manor infamous among investigators. And this is only the beginning… because on May 8, 2026, Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research will be conducting our own live investigation inside Mortuary Manor...

Why do spirits stay in cemeteries, funeral homes, and haunted locations if they are free to go where they choose? It’s one of the most common questions I get asked—and tonight we dive deep into the mystery. Are spirits trapped, revisiting loved ones, connected to their final resting place, or simply drawn to places filled with emotion and memory? Join Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research as we explore chilling theories, real paranormal beliefs, and the haunting possibility that cemeteries may not be prisons for the dead… but meeting places between worlds. Once you hear this episode, you may ne...

Deep in Evart, Michigan, lies a cemetery wrapped in legend... where visitors claim certain headstones glow in the dead of night. Is it science, spirits, or something far darker tied to the tragic deaths during the railroad’s construction? In this episode of Macomb Paranormal Investigations, we uncover the haunted history of Forest Hills Cemetery, the eerie stories passed down for generations, and the mystery that still draws curious souls after dark.

Would you walk among the glowing graves alone at midnight?

Hey there, folks, welcome back to another bone-chilling episode of Exploring the Unknown! I'm Don, Senior Investigator and Producer of Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research. Today, we're diving headfirst into the world of paranormal activity and ghost hunting. Do we just cease to exist when we die or is there more to it? Get ready for some truly unsettling theories as we kick things off!

Explore the intriguing connection between Harry Houdini and the paranormal in this podcast. From exposing fake mediums to using modern paranormal equipment, learn how the legendary magician delved into the world of the unknown and how this was his one big failure. What would have happened if Houdini had today's modern paranormal investigating equipment?

For more than 300 years, Detroit has carried a legend so dark that many still whisper its name—the Nain Rouge. Said to appear before tragedy, fire, chaos, and disaster, this terrifying red creature has been tied to some of the city’s darkest moments since the 1700s.

In this chilling episode of Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research, we uncover the sinister history of Detroit’s oldest curse, the shocking sightings, and the question that still haunts the city today… is the Nain Rouge only folklore—or is something still watching Detroit from the shadows?

Listen now… but b...

Along the Detroit River stands one of Michigan’s most chilling historic landmarks—Fort Wayne. Built in the 1800s, this military fortress has long been tied to eerie reports of shadow figures, phantom footsteps, whispered voices, and spirits that may still patrol the grounds.

In this episode of Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research, we uncover the dark history, haunted legends, and terrifying encounters connected to Fort Wayne Detroit. Are these old barracks truly haunted… or is something else still lingering inside the walls?

Listen now… and decide for yourself.

They say if you disrespect Robert the Doll… bad things follow. From unexplained accidents to terrifying misfortune, this infamous doll has terrified visitors for generations. In this chilling episode, Macomb Paranormal Investigations uncovers the dark history, strange encounters, and eerie legends surrounding one of the world’s most haunted objects. Is Robert truly cursed… or is something else watching from behind those glass eyes? Watch until the end—if you dare.

What really happens at Skinwalker Ranch? Strange lights, unexplained encounters, eerie silence, and mysteries that refuse to die. In this gripping episode, Macomb Paranormal Investigations dives deep into the legends, investigations, and chilling reports surrounding one of the most talked-about paranormal hotspots in the world. Is it folklore, hidden science, or something far darker? Watch until the end and decide for yourself… if you dare.

What if the most haunted places in Michigan aren’t abandoned houses… but the roads you drive every day? From phantom hitchhikers and shadow figures to ghostly children and mysterious lights in the darkness, these Michigan roads have terrified drivers for decades. Some people made it home… others were never the same after what they saw. Before you drive at night, watch this first. Would you dare travel these roads alone?

Welcome back to Macomb Paranormal Investigations and Research.

In this episode, we uncover the dark and unexplained history of one of Michigan’s most mysterious locations—Belle Isle Park.

Before it became a city park… before the bridges and attractions… before families and tourists filled its paths… this island had a very different identity. Known in its earliest days as Hog Island, it was a remote, unsettling stretch of land in the Detroit River with stories that never quite faded away.

We explore the full chronological history of Belle Isle—from its Indigenous roots with t...

Behind the crumbling walls of Eloise Mental Hospital lies a history so disturbing that many say it never truly ended. Once home to thousands of patients, forgotten souls, and whispered experiments, Eloise became one of America’s most infamous institutions. But the real terror may have started after the doors closed. Shadow figures in empty hallways, voices echoing through abandoned rooms, and investigators claiming they were never alone. In this episode, we uncover the shocking history, the darkest stories, and the paranormal encounters that still surround Eloise today. Once you start this story… you won’t want to stop listen...

What happens when technology meets the unknown? In this chilling deep dive, we explore the Spirit Box and the Estes Method—two of the most talked-about tools in modern paranormal investigation. Learn the history behind the Spirit Box, how sweeping radio frequencies are believed to allow spirits to communicate, and why investigators around the world use it during ghost hunts. Then we uncover the Estes Method, a powerful technique where one person wears noise-canceling headphones connected to the Spirit Box while another asks questions—creating eerie, often unexplainable responses.

From famous investigations to spine-tingling real encounters, we brea...

Late at night, on lonely roads and empty highways, drivers around the world have reported the same terrifying encounter—silent children standing in the darkness with completely black eyes. Are they an urban legend, paranormal entities, or something far more sinister? In this chilling episode, we dive into the folklore, eyewitness stories, and theories behind the Black Eyed Children phenomenon. If you saw them on the side of the road… would you stop?

They abandoned their homes… left their town behind… and never came back. Deep in the wilderness of Portlock, Alaska, terrified residents claimed something massive was stalking them from the trees. People vanished. Bodies were found torn apart. Hunters refused to enter the woods. Elders warned of a violent creature known as the Nantiinaq—Alaska’s version of Bigfoot.

Was Portlock the site of one of the most terrifying Bigfoot encounters in history… or was something even darker hiding in the forest?

In this chilling episode, we uncover the forgotten history of Portlock, the eyewitness accounts, the deaths...

Before you trust a single beep, spike, or flashing light in a haunted location… You need to know what’s already there. In this episode, we reveal why professional paranormal investigators should always start with an EMF baseline sweep—checking the area for hidden electrical wiring, outlets, faulty circuits, appliances, and natural interference that can trigger EMF meters and REM-Pods. Is that sudden spike proof of the paranormal… or just bad wiring behind the wall? Too many investigators skip this critical step and mistake normal energy for ghostly contact. Watch as we break down how real investigations separate fact from fea...

What is Bigfoot… a flesh-and-blood creature hiding in the wild, a paranormal entity slipping between worlds, or something far darker like a skinwalker? For decades, terrifying encounters, unexplained footprints, chilling screams, and eyewitness accounts have fueled one of the greatest mysteries of all time. In this gripping episode, we uncover the evidence, the legends, and the fear behind the creature known as Bigfoot. Is it an undiscovered species… or something not meant to be found? Listen now and decide for yourself—because once you hear the truth, you may never look at the woods the same way again.

What if the most dangerous thing about the Ouija Board… isn’t what’s on the other side—but what it unlocks?

Originally patented in 1891 as a harmless parlor game, the Ouija board quickly became something far more controversial. Sold by companies like Parker Brothers and later Hasbro, it was marketed as entertainment—but behind the cardboard and planchette lies a history filled with unsettling experiences, psychological phenomena, and claims of real paranormal contact.

From a scientific standpoint, movements of the planchette are often explained by the ideomotor effect—a subconscious response in which your mind influen...

The idea that the “soul” is made of energy sits at the crossroads of spirituality, religion, and science—and each approaches it very differently. There’s no single agreed-upon answer, but we can break it down clearly so you can decide for yourself in this examination of all perspectives.