Paranormal ActivityWhat's happening in the next realm? Lists about fictional depictions and real experiences real people have really had with the paranormal.
When the topic of ghosts arises, it typically involves poltergeists behaving creepily or maliciously toward the people and locations they happen to haunt. Yet these preconceptions about ghosts overlook the notable times spirits have reportedly helped people in dire situations. Though deadly ghost encounters may sometimes occur, there are plenty of stories that involve supernatural entities saving the day. People who claim that ghosts saved them have relayed encounters with friendly specters that managed to rescue them or a loved one.
There are historical and modern accounts of times when spirits were saviors, meaning that those from beyond might have influenced human history more than anyone ever considered. Maybe Casper is only one of the many friendly ghosts in the world.
The Greenbrier Ghost Allegedly Identified Her Killer
In February 1897 in Greenbrier, WV, Mary Jane Heaster claimed she started receiving visits from her late daughter, Elva "Zona" Heaster Shue, regularly at midnight. Zona had died a month prior of "everlasting faint," though Heaster suspected a more nefarious cause was to blame. When she took Zona's burial sheet home and washed it, Heaster watched as the water ran red.
Because of this, Heaster took the situation seriously when her deceased daughter allegedly appeared in the middle of the night. Zona told Heaster that her husband, Erasmus "Edward" Stribbling Trout Shue, had snapped her neck. The specter reportedly rotated her head to show her mother what happened to her.
Heaster immediately went to the police and told them her story. Miraculously, they believed her and exhumed Zona's body. They performed an autopsy since Edward had prevented the local coroner from examining Zona when she died. Doctors quickly discovered Zona's neck was indeed broken, and they arrested Edward for killing her.
Dolly Parton Says Her Late Grandmothers Watch Over Her
Dolly Parton, the wearer of coats of many colors, apparently has guardians of many dimensions. The famous country singer and actress claims she received help from both of her grandmothers long after they died.
On one occasion, they warned her not to board a plane headed to Salt Lake City. As Parton recalls, “Suddenly, I saw my grandma’s ghost standing in the corner. She kept saying, 'Don't catch the plane… Don’t catch the plane.'"
Parton decided to heed the advice and switched flights. The flight crashed, leaving no survivors. Later, her guardian grannies also supposedly warned her about a potentially costly deal; Parton declined to sign a contract that would have resulted in her losing millions of dollars.
The Gray Man Supposedly Spares People From Devastating Hurricanes
Pawleys Island, SC, is known for its beautiful homes, amazing beachfront properties, and frequent hurricanes. Those who live there are aware of another island mainstay: the Gray Man, a figure dressed in old-fashioned pirate clothes. Legend states he appears before the onset of a hurricane, and those who see him will survive with their house intact.
In 1989, Jim and Clara Moore, longtime residents of Pawleys Island, say the Gray Man saved their lives. During a stroll along the beach, the Moores claim they saw no one else on the beach except for one man who was walking toward them. Jim remembers, "When I got within speaking distance, I raised my hand to say 'hi' or 'beautiful evening' or whatever, and he disappeared."
After Hurricane Hugo hit in 1989, most homes in Moore's neighborhood ended up destroyed, except for theirs. They believe it was because the Gray Man had come to see them on that fateful day.
Another witness to the Gray Man says he saw the figure while fishing a few miles north of Pawleys. While out in the early evening, the witness alleges he saw someone waving to him on the shore. Drawing closer, the fisherman realized the man, dressed in the garb of an old pirate, held up his hand as if to say "stop."
The figure disappeared from the shore, and the fisherman decided to take it as a sign. Later that night, a strong storm hit the area, and the fisherman credits the Gray Man for saving him from it.
A Woman Says Her Friend’s Dead Sister Saved Her
In 2007, a young woman staying with a friend experienced her first paranormal activity. The friend she stayed with had a shrine dedicated to his late sister, to whom he performed a sort of daily ritual in her honor: a shot of tequila and turning on the stereo to play a song she loved. The woman says her friend assured her that as long as she stayed under this roof, his sister would protect her.
One day while home alone, the woman alleged that her abusive former partner broke into the house and tried to attack her. He threatened her with a knife, but the shrine suddenly came to life. It shook violently, and candles were blown out; a crucifix flung itself at her attacker. After the stereo on the memorial turned on by itself, he fled.
A Man's Late Wife Supposedly Helped Him Avoid A Dangerous Trap
In the early 1900s, a New Jersey farmer by the name of Charles Henry Durand barely escaped with his life, thanks to the warnings he supposedly got from his late wife. According to his story, as he rode home in a buggy, the horse pulling it suddenly stopped. Within moments, a ghostly woman in white appeared, which Durand recognized as his late wife. Both he and his horse remained frozen in fear as she whispered to him, "There is danger at home. Stay away [until] morning."
As frightened as his horse, Durand was forced to spend hours unhitching the animal from the buggy so he could get home. By the time he arrived, it was already daylight, and Durand noticed a number of things amiss in his home: a window was open and muddy footprints covered the floor.
Durand also noticed a string stretched across his bedroom doorway; he set it off using his umbrella. It triggered a gun attached to the string, creating a booby trap to shoot anyone who entered the door. Without the warning from his wife, Durand would have been struck by the trap.
Rescuers Claim A Ghostly Voice Led Them To A Trapped Baby
In March 2015, Utah police officers investigated a damaged, partially submerged car in the Spanish Fork River. As they got closer, they clearly heard a young, female voice cry out from the car, "Help me, we're in here." Police immediately went to work; they pulled the wreck out of the river and tipped it right-side up.
Inside, they found Jennifer Groesbeck and her 18-month-old daughter, Lily. Jennifer had seemingly passed hours before, so it was unlikely that she called for help. Lily was barely conscious, but alive.
The emergency personnel at the scene appreciated the disembodied assist, though they never established the source of the cry for help. Officer Tyler Beddoes said, "For two nights, I've laid awake trying to figure out exactly what it could be. All I know is it was there, we all heard it. It was extra motivation."
