Investigating the Paranormal: A Brief overview of the SCSI.

Hi, Max here. I have been asked in the past why I formed the South Carolina Supernatural Investigations; what were my motivations and why I eventually decided to found a paranormal investigations group? I have always been a skeptic when it comes to anything dealing with the realm of the supernatural. I like to use hard evidence to prove paranormal occurrences rather than senses or feelings. I have never been what some might call a medium, or a sensitive. However, I have always had a knack for analytics and critical thinking. It is by using those skills that I approach all analysis of findings and evidence throughout an investigation.

The first time I encountered anything paranormal was when I was 7 years old. My family had given me a Polaroid camera that I absolutely loved taking pictures with. I had been spending some time at a childhood friend’s house one day when I snapped a picture of the garage in his backyard. Now, this was a large garage; big enough to hold a boat and a couple of cars. On the side of the garage was an awning held up by some support pillars. When the picture I had taken finished developing I saw an image that has stuck with me my entire life. From behind one of the pillars was a completely dark figure leaning out waving at my friend and me. This was long before the idea of shadow people had become prevalent in pop culture. My 7-year-old self didn’t think much of it at the time. I sit here almost two decades later searching for evidence as clear as what I caught on that day with that little camera of mine that has long since been lost to the depths of time.

It wasn’t till 2004 when the show Ghost Hunters first aired on the Syfy channel that I realized what I had found in that picture taken 7 years prior. I started watching that show every week as it aired and always thought to myself, “this is what I want to do.” So I set out to learn as much as I could about the supernatural realms. Reading and researching everything from Bigfoot to the Bermuda Triangle; with every question answered only leading to more questions. Later in 2008, I watched the show Ghost Adventures for the first time and still felt the same drive towards paranormal investigating that I had felt 4 years earlier. I felt what some would describe as a calling. I would think to myself that this in not only what I want to do, but, what I need to do.

Let’s jump to the year 2014, I was working for a company who has long since gone out of business. But, it was here at this place I met my partner and good friend, Aaron Sprouse. Aaron and I both had an curiosity in the supernatural realms. It was at this point in time that Aaron and I decided to found the SCSI and pursue the paranormal ourselves. We started investigating places all across the Upstate of South Carolina as well parts of Georgia and lower North Carolina. Our investigating persisted for nearly a year. But, in mid 2015, personal responsibilities got in the way of us being able to dedicate time to  the SCSI. Aaron has since gotten married and had a beautiful baby boy. He is currently the Chairman of The Cherokee County Libertarian Party as well as working full-time job. While, Aaron does not have the time to pursue the paranormal unknown anymore, he still shares our passion and is always supportive of any endeavors the SCSI may take part in.

For a long time it looked like the SCSI would be lost to infinite depths of the internet, given up on and abandoned. But, in August, 2016 I was contacted by Craig Whyde. Craig and his partner Mike Feria were looking to perform investigations under the organizations umbrella. I welcomed Craig and Mike into the SCSI shortly after being contacted and have been completely impressed by their professionalism and dedication. Thanks to Craig and Mike the SCSI is now back in full swing and will be performing investigations of paranormal claims on a regular basis. Now that Aaron lacks the time to investigate for the SCSI, the core members of the SCSI are Craig, Mike, and I.

If you are reading this and feel any sort of interest in joining feel free to contact me. Also, if you feel like the things that go bump can be attributed to paranormal causes we are always available to investigate to try and bring you piece of mind. I look forward to a bright future with the SCSI and will strive to find answers to life’s most unexplained questions. Until the next time,

–Maxwell Alexander    Founder/SCSI