Take a Glimpse into the Realm of the Paranormal: Interview with Husband and Wife Team Jay and Marie Yates
When
things are unsettled, and you aren't certain of the answers...
sometimes one begins looking for other answers. So began the journey
of Jay and Marie Yates of Crossing Over Paranormal Society.
Song
River: What brought you as individuals and as a family together in
this venture?
Jay
Yates: I started doing amateur ghost hunts in 1998 out of
curiosity of the genre. I was tormented by spirits as a child and
wanted answers to my questions. In 8/1999 I had a Near
Death Experience that drove me further into my interest in the field
of paranormal investigation and research. I turned to the church and
became an Ordained Reverend only to find that I was an outcast due to
my belief in the spirit realm.
Marie
Yates: I started to become more interested in the field after meeting
husband Jay Yates. He would spend long nights struggling with things
that I could not understand. Shortly after I noticed that my son had
an imaginary friend that he would spend hours talking to in his room.
Soon after we became engaged and purchased a home.
A
few months later I experienced my first paranormal experience, which
forever changed my life and drove me further into this field.
Jay:
We then set up to investigate known haunted locations in the great
state of Arizona. Years later we had a demonic attachment in our own
home that changed our focus. After years of trying to rid ourselves
of this seemingly demonic attachment we freed ourselves from it at
least temporarily. We then decided to form Crossing Over
Paranormal Society "The COPS Crew" with intent to help
families that suffered as we all did with the paranormal.
Song:
What have been peoples reactions to Ghost Hunting over the years?
Jay
and Marie: These days it isn't uncommon to turn on your TV and be
able to watch paranormal television shows that shed light or
darkness onto this field. It is a double-edged sword due to the lack
of realism in these shows, but it has allowed the paranormal to make
its way to many families home that would have otherwise
kept quiet.
All
though, Crossing Over Paranormal Society "The COPS Crew"
roots are in Christianity, we still find that no matter where
we go we still encounter people assuming that because we investigate
claims of the paranormal that we are “Devil Worshipers, Witches,
and Satanist.” It seems that no matter how mainstream paranormal is
these days there are still those that are stuck in their ways that
view us as "evil-doers." The truth is that COPS was created
because we had our own paranormal experiences and wanted to assist
families that struggle with the supernatural. The mission is that we
want our own trials & tribulations with the paranormal to become
our clients testimonies.
Song:
Have their been converted believers?
Jay:
Yes, we have over the years invited several skeptic out on
investigations that have left new found understanding of the
paranormal. In fact, Marie was once a skeptic and a non-believer
until she encountered her very first experience with the
supernatural.
Song:
What do you say to the skeptics?
Jay:
There are skeptics and believers, and I am not trying to change any
one's mind, but I encourage them to be a little more open-minded and
less judgmental to to those that have encountered the
unexplained. I would be a skeptic myself if I didn't experience it
myself with my own eyes.
Song:
When did connections begin for you both? How did you come to
terms with them?
Jay:
My connection happened as far back as I can remember. I think I was 4
years old when I remember seeing a shadow of a man that would visit
me at bedside. I didn't sleep at night and was terrified to be alone
at night.
As
I child I didn't have many places to turn. I remember talking to my
grandmother and mother about my experiences on a regular basis. They
were always supportive and provided me with some amount of relief.
Usually my grandmother would offer me prayer & redirect me to
attending church. My mother would tell me a pray to say as she did
when she had her own experiences, "He that lives within me is
stronger than he who lives within you. Amen." The way I have
come to terms with them is by offering paranormal investigations for
free to those that struggle with the paranormal as I did. Although,
my greatest tool is my faith in God.
Song:
Marie for you? You had mentioned earlier you had an experience that
changed your life.
Marie:
Shortly after meeting my husband Jay Yates I began experiencing
paranormal occurrences. My first connection was with a seemingly
demonic creature that darted from my home.
Ongoing research helped
me into the paranormal and investigations side, this redirected my
the own struggles with the paranormal. In addition, by helping others
I in turn help myself cope with my own paranormal experiences. The
greatest tool that I feel that I possess is my faith in God.
Song:
Recount one of your favorite incidents.
Jay:
My favorite and most memorable incident was the outcome of
several months of meetings, investigations, & research of a
Phoenix Valley home. They were under attack by demonic haunting that
started out with a poltergeist and took a turn for the worst.
The favorite incident wasn't the paranormal aspect of the case, but
rather their positive outcome. They were at the end of the line and
broken when we meet with them the first day and months later they
managed to take back control over their home and life. They may not
be 100% freed from the paranormal but they have the new found
strength & faith to handle whatever come their way.
Marie:
Mine would have to be what happen to us at Liberty Cemetery. We took
the case and soon after realized that a young boy somehow followed us
home. It seemed that he was lost or curious about my family and I. I
was never afraid but knew that he was in my home and he wasn't shy
about letting you know that he was there.
Several
weeks later we returned to Liberty Cemetery and asked the ghost boy
to come along with us. There was a prayer said at the cemetery
grounds that he safely return to where ever he should be. (Pauses)
There was a since of sorrow asking for him to move along, but a very
rewarding that he choose me to attach himself to. I guess its just
the mother in me, but I really felt it was my responsibility to
pray that he cross over.
Song:
Define paranormal.
Jay:
The Unexplained
Song:
Some may feel its tied in to the occult, how do your explain
otherwise to concerned people?
Jay:
There are some aspects of this field that some people use occult
practices to communicate to the dead but there are many more that use
a more scientific approach to paranormal investigation. There is a
thin line in this field that sets the two sides apart. Some choose to
use spirit boards others prefer electronic devices to
communicate. The true difference is that groups such as ourselves use
tools to get answers to assist the family with their paranormal
struggle. Really to provide answers to their paranormal questions.
Although, others
that use more occult like practices do so for self gain and risk
causing an increase of activity in clients homes. There are some
para-groups that use these occult-like practices and feel that they
have full control of the outcome. It all boils down to we are a group
that has roots in Christianity and we feel its our moral obligation
to draw a line in the sand. I would say to those people to stop
fearing what you don't understand.
Song:
How active is the Phoenix and surrounding areas?
Jay:
Have to say that we feel that haunting are on the rise in the Phoenix
Area or more people are willing to open their homes to the idea that
it is haunted.
Song:
What can people expect when they come to a hunt?
Marie:
You can expect the unexpected! We will be bring out all of our
personal paranormal investigation equipment for all to use throughout
the night as we attempt to make contact with the departed.
Song:
Are there suggestions for proper attire, or equipment one may need on
one of the COPS hunts?
Marie:
Equipment is provided at no additional cost. No sandals.
Camera's,
Camcorders, Flashlights, and Audio Recorders are welcomed!
Song:
If someone is interested in pursuing this passion further, what
suggestions do you make?
Jay:
Find a group that is reputable in the state, follow all laws, don't
risk trespassing, & make sure you are willing to open yourself up
to the supernatural. Do your research into this field before you
start going out alone to investigate or contact us. We offer Classes
& Workshops that educate the public about the field, intro to
ghost hunting, equipment usage, investigation ethics, etc. Classes
are affordable & done monthly.
Song:
What has been the response at comic cons and similar events?
Jay:
We have done several Cons around the valley including but not
limited to; Rapture Horror Expo, Keen Halloween Festival,
Phoenix FearCon, Phoenix ComiCon, COPS Crew "Full Paranormal
Experience," COPS Crew "Fear Sensory Overload," and Superior, Arizona "Ghost Walk" and now Amazing ArizonaComic Con 2015!
We
have hosted several Paranormal Workshops, Paranormal Talks, and
Paranormal Related Panels in the Valley. We are now opening for
Paranormal related Pre-Screening as requested by Warner
Brothers Promoters.
We
try very hard to educate the public about the paranormal and take our
research seriously. This isn't a weekend exploration team that seeks
cheap thrill or scares at local reported haunted locations. We seek
truth, understanding, and proof of the paranormal in some of the
darkest corners that this state has to offer. We make
ourselves available for all Cons, Expo's, Events, etc. to reach the
public and pass on what we have learned with several decades of
combined experience. We have been making appearances at events around
the valley for over 3 years now and we have so far had a very
positive response to what we are doing in the paranormal community.
We
don't know everything and I will be the first to say that, but we
aren't afraid to ask
somebody
else or reach out to other paranormal groups in the valley for advice
or help when needed.
Song:
This is more though than just a 'show' or a 'game'... if you could
sum up what you do and what it means to you succinctly for the public
what would you say?
Jay:
I would say that we are passionate about this field but more
passionate for the clients that we serve in this field. We are
sometimes warriors fighting the good fight between good and evil. We
are the balance and sometimes the last resort for our clients. This
is not a way of life this is our life.
We
aren't ghost busters or ghost hunters. We are Paranormal
Investigators & Researchers that are passion driven to assist you
with your paranormal struggle. We sacrifice our safety, investigate
at our own cost, and stop at nothing to assist our clients that
struggle in silence with the supernatural.
To
Find Out More About- Crossing Over Paranormal Society "The COPS
Crew"
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