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INVESTIGATION #029
West Virginia Penitentiary
Moundsville, Wv.
Date Of Investigation: March 5, 2010
Time: 9:00pm - 6:00am
Investigators on the Scene: Marty Seibel, Robin Tapley, Mychael Hottle, Kelley Davis, Jesse Johnson, Steve Losh,
Gidget Jeppesen, Richard Bond, Lori McDonald, Kelly Hoynoski, RJ Deacon, Sue Campbell, Spurgeon Hudgins, Sandy
Hudgins, Tracey Huffer, Brenda Hall, Shea Willis, Scamp Helmick, Melinda Helmick, Ann MacLeod-Lambert
Weather: Clear, 34.0 degrees, 54% humidity, Wind: Northwest 9.2 MPH
Moon: waning gibbous with 69% of the Moon's visible disk illuminated
Featured on MTVs FEAR, the West Virginia State Penitentiary is known as one of the most haunted locations in West
Virginia. Our third investigation here at the penitentiary with 20 SVPS members participating. Again we
would have complete access to the penitentiary all to ourselves!
Background History
Construction on the penitentiary began in 1866 and it was opened for full operation in 1876. A total of 94 men have been
executed in the prison since it opened. From 1899-1949, eighty-five men were hung. In 1951 the State began using an
electric chair. The state abolished the death penalty in 1959. Prisoners were kept in 5' x 7' cells and when over-
crowding became a concern, three prisoners were kept in a cell. A interesting side-note, in 1983 Charles Manson
wrote to the warden requesting a transfer to the West Virginia Penitentiary. Claiming he had family in the area
and also this was the only place that the guards had treated him well were his reasons.
Conditions here were poor and with the over-crowding they became worse. Violence certainly increased in the latter years
of operation. Many, many brutal killings and beatings took place here. That combined with the number of horrible
executions, it leaves a lasting impression of pain and suffering. During its history as a state penitentiary, it
gained a notorious reputation as one of the Department of Justice’s Top Ten Most Violent Correctional
Facilities. It is impossible to imagine what everyday life was like for these inmates. The doors on the
penitentiary were finally closed in 1995.
Investigation Objective
This was the third trip to the penitentiary for SVPS. However it would be the second time where SVPS had the entire
penitentiary all to themelves for the evening. We were very excited to have this opportunity and 20 members attended
the investigation. Our primary objective was to obtain more evidence to back up our claims as well as many other
groups and individuals that the West Virginia Pentientiary is indeed haunted.
We split our group into 5 smaller groups. Group 1 consisted of Marty Seibel, Richard Bond, Gidget Jeppesen and Lori
McDonald. Group 2 consisted of Jesse Johnson, Steve Losh, Melinda and Scamp Helmick. Group 3 consisted of Shea Willis,
Ann MacLeod-Lambert, RJ Deacon, and Sue Campbell. Group 4 consisted of Robin Tapley, Kelley Davis, and Tracey and
Brenda Huffer. Group 5 consisted of Mychael Hottle, Kelly Hoynoski, and Spruge and Sandy Hudgins.
Main areas of the penitentiary that were focused on for this investigation were the Alamo (Red Snyder's Cell), General
Population, the Hole, Sugar Shack and both Cafeterias. We considered these areas the more active in the penitentiary
and wanted to focus most of our attention to these spots. teams spent anywhere from 11/2-2 hours at each
location and rotated from there.
Investigation Data
Video Results
Video cameras revealed no unusual activity at any time during the investigation.
Photograph Results
Photographs both digital and 35 revealed no unusal activity. Some photographs contain orbs of which did catch our
attention but could not be offered as tangible, solid proof of paranormal activity.
The Hole
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Gen. Population
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Gen. Population
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New Cafeteria
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Photograph captured by Tracy Huffer in the Hole.
Audio Results
Evps were recorded in several locations throughout the penitentiary, the most success coming from Maximum Security (The
Alamo) and the Sugar Shack. Both areas were well known for an extreme amount of violence that occurred there during the
operation of the penitentiary. The Alamo was noted for housing some of the most violent and dangerous of inmates, called
a place of constant turmoil. The Sugar Shack is a basement room that was used as a recreational area. Many a severe
beating or murder took place here as many inmates used this area to settle personal grudges or disputes.
| "No" Wv. Penitentiary(Moundsville, Wv.) Rec by Marty Seibel in Sugar Shack 03/05/2010
| | "No" Rec by Marty Seibel in Sugar Shack 03/05/2010 (evp only)
| | "No" Rec by Marty Seibel in Sugar Shack 03/05/2010 (evp cleaned)
| | "Listen" Rec by Marty Seibel & Gidget Jeppesen in Sugar Shack 03/05/2010
| | "Listen" Rec by Marty Seibel & Gidget Jeppesen in Sugar Shack 03/05/2010
| | "Listen" Rec by Marty Seibel & Gidget Jeppesen in Sugar Shack 03/05/2010
| | "No.......Not now..........No" Rec by Marty Seibel in Sugar Shack 03/05/2010
| | "No.......Not now..........No" Rec by Marty Seibel in Sugar Shack 03/05/2010 (filtered)
| | Male Whisper Rec by Steve Losh in Alamo (Red's Cell) 03/05/2010
| | Male Whisper Rec by Steve Losh in Alamo (Red's Cell) 03/05/2010
| | "Whoo Rec by Jesse Johnson & Melinda Helmick in Alamo (Red's Cell) 03/05/2010
| | "Yes Mam" Rec by Mychael Hottle & Kelly Hoynoski in General Population 03/05/2010
| | "It cuts itself off" Rec by Tracey Huffer in General Population 03/05/2010
| | "It cuts itself off" Rec by Tracey Huffer in General Population 03/05/2010 (evp only)
| | Laugh Rec by Tracey Huffer in General Population 03/05/2010 (evp only)
| | "Goodbye" Rec by Tracey Huffer in General Population 03/05/2010 (evp only)
| | "Fred" Rec by Tracey Huffer in the Hole 03/05/2010 (evp only)
| | "I'm gonna get you" Rec by Tracey Huffer in the Hole 03/05/2010 (evp only)
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Personal Experiences
The group had few personal experiences but one member did have a memorable visual experience in General Population.
Shortly after 1 am, member witnessed a man who appeared dressed in grey on the ground floor level. Not more than 10-15
feet away from this image, she witnessed the man turn and walk into a cell. Following right behind, the member and her
husband checked the cell where the image appeared to have entered. There was absolutely no one in the cell or anywhere
around for that matter. Being quite skeptical, the member and her partner checked the entire floor level. Other
members reported being pushed in General Population.
Final Conclusion: Haunted
Our third trip to the penitentiary yielded positive results. A few unusual photographs, a lot of audio (evp) and one incredible
person experience of a visual nature, something that is quite rare. Unfortunately, video again revealed no positive evidence.
All in all, a good investigation despite the cold temperatures. Our conclusion has not changed a bit since our last
investigation of the penitentiary, we believe the West Virginia Penitentiary to be haunted.
Copyright © Marty Seibel & SVPS
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