Sheldon Tripi - Founder, Lead Investigator, Webmaster
I had my first paranormal experience when I was 15 years old. I was down in Apalachacola, Florida visiting my Uncle’s new vacation home. All the bedrooms were occupied by visiting relatives so I had to sleep in the living room. One morning about 4 am, I was awoken by someone sitting on my lap as if they were trying to sit on the couch but didn’t see me lying there. When I sat up, the pressure subsided but the impression of a person sitting remained on my sleeping bag. Not knowing what to make of it, I went back to sleep. I never told anyone about it at the time but have thought about it ever since. I didn’t have another experience until the age of 18, after my father passed away. I was sleeping in my loft bedroom at my childhood home in Buffalo, NY and awoke sometime in the early morning to the hall light coming on. I leaned over the edge of the loft to see who was up and saw the slider on the dimmer switch to the off position. Besides these events, not much has happened other than hearing my name being called out when I knew I was home alone.
I’ve been researching and investigating the paranormal for about 10 years now trying to find some answers to the experiences I’ve had. I couldn’t find any groups interested in a scientific approach so I formed my own and have found a few people along the way who are interested in the same methodology. One group I have finally come across and have joined is New York Paranormal Investigators (NYPI). Their founder Jay Powell has many of the same approaches that we strive for, scientific proof of the paranormal.
When I’m not searching for ghosts, I spend my time working with children and playing bass as a professional musician. Being a musician has given me a lot of experience with electronic equipment and that helps with the technical side of paranormal investigations. You can find my bass playing at www.thehalftonhorns.com, www.msixband.com, www.bradbatz.com, and www.ryanbarclay.org.
Malcolm Tripi - Investigator, Tech Specialist
I’ve been interested in paranormal phenomenon all my life. My day job as a theatre technician has given me an extensive knowledge of electronic equipment. I feel that the most interesting thing about ghost hunting is that for the first time in history the average person can afford to buy quality gear and collect solid evidence. While I keep an open mind as to the existence of ghosts, my approach is admittedly skeptical. I feel that some people are to eager to explain strange occurrences as the work of spirits. We must use deduction to eliminate all possible physical explanations before we look to the supernatural for an answer.
Greg Esmerian - Investigator, Case Manager
Growing up I was raised as a Christian, and throughout high school I was what you would call a Born-Again. As time went on, however (going to college), I realized that there was a lot more to life. Now I am a scientist, and as such need proof of something being true before I believe it. One of the great questions is whether there is life after death, and ghost hunting is a way for me to find the real truth whatever it may be.
Jeff Gephart - Investigator, Research
I first experienced the paranormal in my early teens. It occurred in my childhood home in a small Western NY town. Many odd things happened to me and my family in that home. Nothing too serious, just doors opening and closing by themselves and items being moved around or hidden, only to turn up later right where you were looking for it. All of us saw an “old lady” ghost many times around the house and being a young teenager, I was as curious as I was scared about what was happening in the house. One summer I had an encounter with the “old lady”. I was awoken in the middle of the night by my covers being pulled up over me and tucked in. I thought it was my mom at first but realized it was an apparition tucking me in. I remember asking my family about it and researching who lived in the house before us. I found that an old librarian from my high school lived there and I was able to identify her from pictures hung in the high school library. This incident peaked my interest into researching the paranormal and identifying it.
Kim Porter - Investigator, Interviewer
I think it is important to start by saying I do not believe in ghosts, psychic powers, mystics, poltergeists, demons, specters, etc. That makes me Tripi Paranormal’s resident skeptic. You may be asking why they would choose to have me. I believe that their involving me makes a brave statement about their commitment to this form of investigation. They are truly out to prove, beyond any doubt, that paranormal activity does happen in our world. What better place to start then.........convincing me.
Many “ghost stories” have roots founded in fact and are based on actual historical events. I am also very interested in the psychology of human motivation. I understand that people need to believe in an afterlife and we need to form our own explanations for the mysterious and often frightening things that happen around us. Billions of people subscribe to faith-based religions that are founded on a profound belief in something that you cannot see. I find the influence of stories and the limitless power of belief both astounding and fascinating and I‘m part of this group to investigate them further. For my part, I am interested in the study of myths and legends, how stories begin, grow and change over time, eventually becoming part of history.
Natasha Tripi - Investigator
Natasha is new to the field of paranormal investigation. Through years working as a theatrical lighting designer, she has developed a keen eye for color and movement, especially in darkened rooms. Her skills have proven useful for observation and data collection in the field. She approaches the unexplained with a scientific mind and feels that “metaphysics” is merely “physics” we do not fully understand yet.