A demonologist, a psychic and a skeptic walk into a haunted house. Sounds like the beginning of a bar joke, right? Don’t laugh—I was there. We were on the hunt for a house with the same paranormal phenomena as the infamous “Amityville Horror” house on Long Island, NY. We assembled a team of experts to help us investigate unexplained hauntings at two California locations.

The demonology crew showed up with nine cases of ghost-hunting gear which we loaded into a van for the four hour road trip to our first stop–Wolfe Manor in Clovis, CA. Talk ranged from spiritualism and UFOs to how each of them got into the business of ridding houses of the demonic. (That’s a whole other show, I swear–) Each team member brings a unique skill: intimate knowledge of how spirits present themselves on film and video; the technical ability to set up a command center and 8 cameras; interpersonal skills to help calm frightened homeowners. And did I mention our official expert skeptic from Skeptical Inquirer Magazine?

On the first night of our ghost hunt, the team pulled out a FLIR thermal-imaging infrared system – a high-tech camera that can see heat energy normally invisible to the human eye, including temperature shifts as small as six-one-hundredths of a degree. Not long after, they spotted the first paranormal event of the night – a pulsating red and orange hot spot. They freaked out. It was an anomaly unlike anything they had ever seen before. Their first thought – it’s a vortex into another dimension! After more thought – maybe it’s a bee hive nested in the wall? They banged on the walls, looking for some sort of reactions – demons or bees would do at that point. But nothing…. All was quiet. That was until the expedition team in the next room started communicating with the spirits in the house. The bees/vortex would have to wait… We had some more serious ghost busting to do.
– Jessie Vogelson

KPI and Tatiana Byron-Marx, owner and founder of The Wedding Salon, have decided to make it official and take the leap into contractual bliss. Tatiana recently signed a one-year contract to work with KPI to create a show based around her success. Four years ago, Tatiana teamed up with Martha Stewart to create the world’s first luxury wedding showcase.  As an attendee to one of her showcases I can testify that this is no way an exaggeration. Thousands of celebrities, socialites, celebrity stylists/planners, and brides-to-be attend this larger than life wedding showcase. Without missing a beat, The Wedding Salon has a non-stop, energetic atmosphere with live bands, a bridal fashion show, plastic surgeons, makeup artist and hairstyle. From Sylvia Weinstock’s cakes, to Tiffany & Co. rings and couture dresses this showcase is a haven for brides-to-be.

Bill Hunt, SVP of Development for KPI says, “The signing of Tatiana continues KPI’s continued expansion into lifestyle and docusoap programming to compliment our core history, science and technology genres.”

–Kendra McClean, Development Assisant

In Berlin, we have arranged to interview the last-surviving member of Hitler’s Berlin bunker entourage. His name is Rochus Misch and he is 91.

He was there in the underground bunker during Hitler’s final days. After the war, he was imprisoned in the Soviet Gulag for 10 years—and now has become something of a celebrity in Germany.
Misch is a nostalgic old Nazi, who still refuses to think beyond what happened outside of his personal experience. It creeps me out a little. But then again, he is so charming. A “charming servant”—warm and ingratiating. I am reminded of Hannah Arendt’s writings about the “banality of evil.” I feel conflicted…

The interview goes surprisingly well. Misch is forthcoming and comes alive when talking about his experiences in the bunker. Since we are speaking German, there is a natural connection. But again, I feel conflicted…

–Frauke Levin, Associate Producer

MYSTERYQUEST: HITLER’S ESCAPE airs Wednesday, September 16 at 10PM/9C on HISTORY.