Ghost hunters in demand in New Mexico

KRQE.com: Ghost hunters in demand in New Mexico
Hunters say TV shows pushing interest
Updated: Sunday, 01 May 2011, 10:48 PM MDT
Published : Sunday, 01 May 2011, 10:00 PM MDT

Reporter: Katie Kim
CORRALES, N.M. (KRQE) - For Virginia Lamkin, a ghost hunter with Central New Mexico Ghost Investigations , her mission is to explain the unexplainable.

Lamkin has been tracking down spirits in homes and business in New Mexico for years. She said some of the evidence is uncanny.

"We caught on two different cameras in the back a chair moving away from the conference table and there was no one in the room," said Lamkin, describing an investigation at Prized Possessions, an antique shop, in Corrales.

Lamkin said there is "paranormal activity" in the Prized Possession building. Even owner Janet Pugh said numerous spirits have been seen lurking amongst her vintage jewelry and knick-knacks, including a sheriff who has been spotted sitting in a chair overlooking the store.

"If anyone comes to the front of store with bad intentions, he'll divert them and he'll check for shoplifting," said Pugh.

According to Lamkin, electronic voice monitoring systems caught a live-in child spirit named Jimmy clearly asking, "can you see me?"

But Lamkin said it's not just Prized Possessions that appears to be haunted. Her team has investigated dozens of sites throughout New Mexico, including the Shaffer Hotel in Mountainair and the St. James Hotel in Cimarron. Lamkin said lately demand has been especially high as a result of several ghost hunter shows on T.V. In the last two years, Lamkin said she's seen more activity and interest in the paranormal, and more people taking part in the investigations.

"People are a lot more receptive than they used to be," said Lamkin. "That can be really good, but it could also be bad. But I find groups that form for the wrong reasons don't last very long."

Lamkin said she expects ghost-hunting to be long-lasting because New Mexico's historic spots are prime targets for the supernatural.