Subj: [ParanormalFlorida] This Evenings Investigation Report  
Date: 6/14/2004 9:44:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time 
From: AngelOfThyNight@aol.com 
To: ParanormalBuffalo@yahoogroups.com,  paranormalghostsociety@yahoogroups.com,  Paranormalflorida@yahoogroups.com  

Tonight was a fairly big investigation for me as for 4 weeks I been advertising to do this 1800s mansion and since nobody has taken the initiative I had no choice but to investigate it since often here in DeLand most mansions either become demolished or sold quickly so it was a necessity to at least take a second visit here. The first one was mainly to take our daytime photos check the property for safety etc...

This investigation was a Jewel to the organization since the mansion contained 6 bathrooms and over 10 rooms large enough in most to fit 2 pick up trucks so lots to explore. My junior investigator James and my son set off in a thunder storm for the whole eerie effect of investigating the house. We headed off as the sun was starting to go down and the darkest of clouds were coming in from the Gulf and so our investigation begins here.

Berry Murder Mansion

We entered in the back of the mansion as lightening was striking and the rain just about starting to fall really hard. The kitchen smelled horrible although there was no food around there were beer bottles here and there. The bathroom attached to the kitchen had a toilet so dirty you could not see any porcelain whatsoever.

We entered into the living room found a giant hole in the wall with a giant spider on its web black looking and not so nice. We found a mans id tags laying out on a couch from 2003 that just did not seem right to see them laying out they were for some attractions company.

The giant mirror above the fire place was smashed glass all over. The fire place was sealed, and along with that was a mattress, two couches and some clothing. So at one time or another perhaps back in 2003 when the house was more accessible someone probably hid or lived here for shelter.

We entered two rooms attached to the living room one led out to a giant room with French doors the other was small which was very uncomfortable. There was not a lot of activity but it was very dark. We kept searching for a way to get upstairs or to the front of the house it was impossible soon we had learned that the was split up into 3 areas A, B, and C. But 2 sections the only way to reach them would be the front entrance. 

I did notice that the house was extremely hot as sweat was dripping off my skin. We jumped out one of the windows after exploring the back of the house. I did not like the kitchen to much felt as if something was watching us in there as there was a little wooden closet.

We went back outside and we headed to the front of the mansion. Entering through a door way led us into a giant kitchen with old cabinets as well as new. Again we came to another bath room. This one was cleaner and based on the crime scene tape in front of the house we assumed that its quite possible the murder occurred inside the house somewhere in one of these areas.

We walked into a dark dining room with blinds that were crooked and fallen. We walked into the main hall where there was a giant staircase heading upstairs, a book shelf to the right, a hall straight ahead leading to another bathroom and very large bedroom.

James and myself both mentioned at the same time how icy cold it was around the stairs. To my psychic instincts I do believe something happened tragically near this stairwell. It was a major difference in temperature and it only last for about 30 seconds then it was hot again. I did not like these stairs though there was a chair at the top of them like something was sitting in it just watching us that is what it felt like. 

At the end of the hall I thought I seen a face but it was the torn screen in the tiny bathroom. The one bottom bedroom it had hardwood floors very well lit from the street side. Then we decided to go back and head upstairs. There was a lizard that jumped out at us at first we were shocked guess you do not see that inside to many houses.

The upstairs was quite immaculate like a maze of rooms, twist and turns. But the upstairs was odd we entered a room to to the left another kitchen with broken furniture even a candle. At the end of the kitchen was another bathroom and storage closet the rain was pouring right through the ceiling as thunder was shaking the entire mansion. All we could hear was the drip sounds as rain hit the floor. 

We walked back up the hall way and there were 2 large rooms to the right. One of the bedrooms had giant French doors leading out to a balcony as well as a small bathroom. The other one had a giant bathroom with the old tub in it. A giant fridge blocked the hallway between the 2 rooms. 

Going past the rooms was a long hallway at the end of it there was a door bolted shut which led to the other room after I went back and forth a few times. Above us at the end of the hall was a latch leading into the attic to the left was a hidden passage not very large with old wooden steps that had went downwards, to the left and back down again. This staircase was very steep and only wide enough for one person to go down. It led to a dead end perhaps they sealed it off and it was all connected at one time. James was retracing our steps and in a few rooms alone he said he felt quite comfortable he did not see any entities like the other night at the church we visited.

We went back up the stairs again I pulled the hatch to the attic. Attics are bad news since here in Florida you could have anything all the way from killer bees to black widows. So I used caution climbing the ladder I stepped into the attic. This probably was the most peaceful part of the house was not even uncomfortable as I shined my light down the two passages one I was able to see the road from a small little wood window with slits in it.

We then decided to wrap up the investigation with one last look around. We noticed one of the rooms contained a crib while the other one had a broken baby swing. So whoever lived in the front of the house definitely had children probably very young.

The house on the eerie scale was just that there were parts of the house that were so uncomfortable while other parts were pleasant. The stair case seems to be the most uncomfortable part of the house. We eventually did have to leave after one last quick walk through. I did noticed seeing something black move like some form of energy upstairs I am not even sure what I seen but it looked like possibly an orb streaked across the upstairs kitchen and dining room.

We did head outside took a few photos in the basement and house. To our surprise the cottage and garage out back had fresh locks on them. Go figure since now we were investigating that someone would do this but that was fine since we went into the cottage about 4 weeks ago which in my opinion was more haunted then the house itself. But I did take some photos inside the windows then we closed off the investigation and headed home as we were soak and wet.

In conclusion to this evenings report I really am disappointed at quite a few people who wrote me and said they would go. I mean come on folks if a 7 yr old can go to one of the largest creepiest homes here in Deland there is on excuse why others could not have came held a flashlight even walked around with us so shame on those who few who give me excuses. 

Often in life we take advantage of mansions like this. We pass by them but we never take in consideration the history, architecture, or even the lonely ghost that haunt them. There are times sadly where places like this get locked down, boarded up, vandalized or even torn down so in turn I was extremely lucky to get this place investigated but even more lucky to have an opportunity to walk down its wood floor halls. 

I was sad about being shorthanded since its a large mansion and I needed more help holding lights, equipment etc. But it turned out real well we had that ice cold experience on the stairwell, the energy I seen turning the corner and some feelings of being watched in only certain areas of the house. 

I do plan on a return visit here one evening that will be for the Ectoplasmic photos and wrap up of the this historical structure. I hated almost to leave this place since there is so much mystery surrounding it its like you can feel a sad presence around the whole property. But again another great story brought to you by The Paranormal & Ghost Society.
Rick