Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Spangler VanBoskerck.
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I am originally from North Carolina. I moved to Myrtle Beach in June 2015. I have always been intrigued by the paranormal. In my heart, I knew there was more out there than we can see. I can remember as a child checking out books in the library anything related to real hauntings or the supernatural. I guess you could say I was born believing in the paranormal.
Unfortunately, as a child and throughout most of my adult life my friends and family did not believe in the paranormal nor wanted anything to do with it, so I pretty much kept my paranormal passion and beliefs to myself.
Most people investigate the paranormal because of past experiences, I did not have any paranormal experiences growing up but that did not matter, I believed, and it became my passion to find evidence to prove the paranormal exists and to help others experiencing paranormal activity find the answers and help they need. I was never scared of the unknown. I embraced it.
In June 2015, I joined a large group of paranormal investigators. They cover the entire state of South Carolina. They do private investigations of homes and businesses. I learned a lot during my time with them, but I wanted to know more so I also joined The Warren Legacy Foundation which was created by Lorraine Warren and her grandson. In November 2021, I met Rob Stachowicz, founder of The Get Haunted Network. Get Haunted is a paranormal services, merchandising, and events company. I am the Locations Manager with Get Haunted.
I also reached out to as many people and “experts” in different fields to learn as much as I possibly could. You will never learn everything when it comes to the paranormal. It will always be a learning process, but you must be willing to step outside your comfort zone to learn. There is so much more to learn and so many great people to learn from.
Take, for instance, Jack Kenna, he is a pioneer in the field. He has really become my mentor. He is so knowledgeable in various fields of the paranormal. He wrote several books, and he teaches a college class on Paranormal Investigating in New York. He has also been on several paranormal shows. By venturing out I have met some amazing and knowledgeable people and teams.
I am a huge supporter of Paranormal Unity. We can learn from and help others on the journey. With that being said, in June 2022, I left the group I was with to create my own team. I had big goals and dreams, so I felt it was time for me to move on and Raven Investigations of the Paranormal was formed.
Raven covers North Carolina and South Carolina with members in both states. We specialize in smaller less known locations. We investigate locations including but not limited to historical locations, museums, jails, businesses, hospitals, etc. Our mission is to help promote and preserve the history of these locations. We also have a paranormal podcast called Beyond the Raven on YouTube. It is an educational podcast that covers all aspects of the paranormal from spirits, demons, ley lines, cryptids, UAP’s, etc. basically anything associated with or pertains to the paranormal we cover. We will also be filming our investigations. These videos can be watched by subscribing to our YouTube Channel. The link is below.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being a paranormal investigator is always challenging. Often you are not taken seriously. We even have people make fun of what we do. There are a lot of close-minded people in this world.
Then you have the paranormal television shows; I watch these too. The public watches these shows and automatically think investigations are like what they see on TV, getting evidence every second and super exciting. They don’t realize that it takes weeks even months to get enough evidence for a 45-minute episode. The truth is we spend hours sitting in the dark at these locations using all our equipment and sometimes not getting any evidence; this does not mean the location is not haunted. My son, Zack VanBoskerck, said it perfectly, “Paranormal investigating is like going fishing, you know there are fish in the lake, but you could sit there all day and never get a bite”.
I have learned that you can’t please everyone all we can do is do our best and hope we can get the evidence needed to help. I am not doing this to convince people the paranormal exists because there are people out there that you can show them all the evidence in the world, and they will still refuse to believe. I do this to help others and teach people about the paranormal as well as finding evidence.
Once I found people with the same beliefs and goals that I have, the journey has been much smoother. Looking back, I have learned there are groups that are not about paranormal unity and not willing to learn from others outside the group. There are also teams doing this for the fame and fortune and that is ok for them but that is not why I am doing this.
As you know, we’re big fans of Raven Investigations of the Paranormal. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Raven Investigations of the Paranormal was created to research, investigate, and document evidence of the paranormal. We are a team of “professional” paranormal investigators. Professional in the sense we conduct every investigation seriously and with professionalism. We enter into every investigation with an open mind and a healthy amount of skepticism. We take every location seriously whether it is a private residence, business, or paranormal location.
We do not automatically believe every noise, bang, or knock is paranormal. We do our due diligence to find a logical explanation before we will say that something is paranormal. Jumping to the conclusion that every noise is paranormal does not do the client or ourselves any justice. To truly help someone it takes a great amount of time and research. You cannot go into a location or a client’s home for a few hours and truly do a thorough investigation and never follow-up. When we get a request for an investigation, we tell the client we need to have access to the location for the weekend. Staying on location gives us a better understanding of what activity is taking place and do a thorough investigation. Sometimes even a weekend is not enough but it is a start. Sometimes you may have to return to the home or location several times to find out what type of haunting is occurring and how to help. Determining what type of haunting is taking place is the only way you can know how to truly help the client.
Raven is comprised of some amazing investigators. Raven is very fortunate these individuals decided to join in on this extraordinary journey. Raven is comprised of such devoted members. I am a big believer in teamwork, and everyone has an opinion. Teamwork is what makes a good solid team. Having a good strong team takes a lot of hard work and dedication.
Raven has four (4) Board Members:
Jennifer VanBoskerck, President (Founder/Lead Investigator)
Zack VanBoskerck, Production Manager
Brittany Carey, Director of Team Relations and Treasurer
Amanda Carey, Director of Marketing and Development
Investigators:
Teresa Davis
Nathan Martin
Kimberli Brafford
Raven is very fortunate to be partner teams with Great State Paranormal. This comes with my belief of paranormal unity. We have also been blessed to have met Brandon and Anna Cooper with Supernatural InK. They will be our ongoing special “Guest Investigators” at many of our locations.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I am a hard worker and very dedicated. I have passion, strive, and am a go-getter. I feel I am a good leader and believe in teamwork. When I decide I want something, I will do everything in my power to make it happen. I have always been told I talk a lot; this makes me a good networker. Because of this trait Raven has really taken off along with the hard work of the members. I have found in this field you have to be able to talk, meet new people, and put yourself out there. Definitely can’t be bashful.
To be a good paranormal investigator you must have a healthy amount of skepticism. Not everything is paranormal. Nine times out of ten it can reasonably be explained. I am a debunker. I will try to find logical explanations for everything until there is nothing left but the unexplained or paranormal. I take every noise, bump, knock, etc. with a grain of salt.
Raven Investigations of the Paranormal wants to thank everyone at SouthCarolinaVoyager magazine for this wonderful opportunity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ravenparanormal.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raven.paranormal/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RavenParanormal.Investigations
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParanormalRaven
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB6h1g983rLoBBmk-lvNDUg
- Other: https://linktr.ee/raven.paranormal
Image Credits
Liberty Hall, Amanda Carey, Brittany Carey, Teresa Davis, Zack VanBoskerck, Jennifer VanBoskerck, Kimberli Brafford, and Ken Holden
