Boise Team Members
Marie Johnston
Executive Director Joined: 2003 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
I have always had an interest in the paranormal. Prior to joining the team, I investigated on my own and with others of a like mind. I started when I was about 16 but had my first experience with the spirit world when I was about 8 or 9 years old. I joined a team because I was new to the Boise area and wanted to connect with others here who had the same interests. I eventually became the owner and have been thankful always for this opportunity. I am very proud of what the BRP has become over the years, but I am even more proud of the amazing team we have and how dedicated every one of them are to the clients we serve and the paranormal field. What is your position on the team? Executive Director/Owner What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? I have a background in business management, business ownership, law enforcement, and of course researching the paranormal. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I want to continue to help our clients find answers and peace for whatever it is they may be experiencing in their homes or businesses. That goes far beyond just snapping a photo or capturing something on an audio recorder. The list of what the BRP has done over the years for our clients, aside from the paranormal, is long and we are thankful that they have allowed us into their lives to help. I hope to see this field continue to grow. We have seen it do that in leaps and bounds in just the last 15 or so years and I want to see that continue. I want to see my staff, all of them, grow and do well in this field and in their personal lives. I value these relationships and care deeply about all of them. They are some of the best people I know. I hope to always be a part of that. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? Oh, my goodness! There have been so many AMAZING moments! I could go on and on! My favorite though? That would have to be the work we did at a private residence. The family, especially the children, were terrified. I cannot go into specifics due to confidentiality but suffice it to say there was a very happy ending. The children were back to playing in the home, sleeping well and thriving in school and life. That is what this is all about. That case has stayed with me for years and years now. It affected three of us who were there in unexpected ways and all of us were glad we were there to help. We still talk about it now and then. Aside from that? The lessons I have learned from each person that has joined this team over the many years. Some lessons have been hard, and some have been nothing short of magical and for that I am blessed. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? I know that I can come off as tough when there is business to handle because I care so much about professionalism and about this field, but I care deeply about those in my life. I want them to be as dedicated and care as much as I do. More than anything I want to see them happy and to achieve every goal they set for themselves and if I can help that happen in any way, count me in! |
Christopher Plummer
Lead Investigator / Management Team Joined: January 20, 2018 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
I have been interested in the paranormal from a young age. Not only ghosts, but other phenomena as well. I used to check out every book in the library on the subject. What is your position on the team? Investigator. What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? I have good intuition, a grasp of how the mind works, and a healthy mix of being open-minded, questioning everything and curiosity. I've studied psychology, semiotics, science and human behavior. I have high standards when it comes to evidence collected. No apps, orbs, or ghost boxes for me. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I want to live up to the principles of the team. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I really love it when we get to do Q&As with the public, and I love those moments when we help people. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? I believe there are times to laugh and have fun, but when the investigating starts, I take it seriously. |
Stephanie Rothrock
Investigator / Outreach Joined: 2013 |
Tina Hughes
EVP Tech / Management Team Joined: June 13, 2020 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
I wanted to be around people who are also interested in the paranormal. I also wanted to learn more about the scientific approach. What is your position on the team? Management Team, Lead EVP Tech, Lead Investigator What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? I bring an open mind that is logical and want to have the scientific backing. Any abilities that I have are just an added tool to the investigation. I also have a background in management. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I want to bring the knowledge of the paranormal to people who are not familiar with the subject. Lend strength and stability when on an investigation. As Lead EVP Tech, I listen carefully to the audio from the investigations to hear what might not have been heard during the investigation and I have a good ear for that. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? Being accepted by this family for the ME that I am. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? As the EVP Tech, I know a lot! Secrets are safe with me. Bloopers, though... those are getting clipped and sent to Marie. |
Steve Ohnstad
Case Manager / Management Team Joined: April 30, 2022 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
I joined because I have always had a deep respect for the unexplained and a passion for helping people feel safe in their own homes and businesses. For me, this work is about more than just curiosity, it’s about bringing professionalism, compassion, and integrity into a field that is often misunderstood. Big River Paranormal operates with high standards of evidence, ethics, and respect for our clients, and that’s exactly the type of team I wanted to be part of. By combining thorough investigation methods with genuine care for the people we serve, I feel confident that we are providing both comfort and credibility in situations where clients need it most. What is your position on the team? Management Team, Video Tech, Investigator What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? I bring a balance of both professional leadership experience and a genuine dedication to the paranormal field. In my career as an assistant manager, I’ve been responsible for training and developing teams, building trust, and ensuring people feel supported in challenging situations. Those same skills translate directly into investigations; staying calm under pressure, communicating clearly, and working together as a team with professionalism and respect. Alongside that, I bring a sincere curiosity for the paranormal and a commitment to approaching each case with integrity, compassion, and an evidence-based mindset. My goal is to not only help our team be effective in the field, but also to make sure every client feels heard, respected, and confident in the way we conduct our work What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? As a member, I hope to accomplish two main goals: helping people find peace of mind in situations they may not fully understand and supporting my team so that we can work at the highest level of professionalism. From my background as an assistant manager, I know the value of strong communication, training, and teamwork, and I want to bring that same leadership to our investigations. For clients, my focus is on making sure they feel respected, heard, and comfortable throughout the process. For the team, I want to contribute to a culture of learning, integrity, and accountability so that everything we do not only adds to the field of paranormal research but also provides genuine reassurance and answers to the people who invite us into their lives. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? My favorite moment so far was having the opportunity to meet Jason Hawes from Ghost Hunters and share a conversation with him over dinner. Jason was one of the most down-to-earth and genuine people I’ve ever met, and being able to talk with him about the field that I’m so passionate about was both inspiring and humbling. That experience reminded me why I joined Big River Paranormal in the first place, to keep learning, to stay grounded, and to connect with others who share the same dedication to helping people and approaching the paranormal with respect and professionalism What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? One thing I’d like everyone to know about me is that while I may come across as quiet in conversation, my care and respect for others runs deep. I truly want the best for the people around me, whether that’s my team, our clients, or my friends. My goal is always to support others, contribute positively, and help create an environment where people feel valued, respected, and confident. At the end of the day, success to me is not just personal achievement, but seeing the people I work alongside thrive as well. |
Michael Johnston
Lead Investigator Joined: May 2, 2019 Why did you join Big River Paranormal? I married into it but have always been interested in finding out if there really is something beyond us out there.
What is your position on the team? Lead Investigator What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? I am open minded, but skeptical. I need to see, feel, touch to believe in something, but I try to keep an open mind for possibilities. In management most of my working life I have always organized my thoughts and tried to understand others viewpoints the best I can. Do not doubt what others claim to have experienced, I just need to experience it myself to say I fully believe. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? To be able to let others know what I have experienced, not just think I experienced. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? Meeting so many people that have had experiences and knowing they are people I have learned to trust. Not just about what they experience, but to be able to confide in them what I have experienced. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? I care about people I have had the pleasure to meet, just don't always know how to show it. It is usually hard for me to completely trust someone until I get to know them well enough. This team, I trust. |
Lee Houghton
Lead Investigator / Management Team Joined: August 9,2024 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
I joined BRP because I’ve had many paranormal experiences throughout my life, starting from my childhood, and I have always wanted to be part of a team that takes a more professional approach to investigating the paranormal. Much of my experience has been one-sided, and I wanted to balance it out. What is your position on the team? I am currently part of the management team and an investigator. What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? Paranormal-Occult case assessor, and ROE file manager-English Speaking for the Archdiocese of Milan, Assessor (freelance), Old Catholic Church. I grew up in a haunted house and started running paranormal experiments when I was 10. I've had experience with a small two-person paranormal investigation team in Utah. I’ve also spent many years in training, training development, and data analysis. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? When you have your first paranormal experience, it either leaves you wanting to know more or you want to block it out and run from it, but you’ll never forget it. I honestly believe that everyone has had, or will have, an experience with the paranormal in their lifetime. A lot of folks struggle with it because it doesn’t fit their religious views, worldview, or their fundamental view of reality. My desire as a team member is to help as many people as possible overcome their fear and confusion about their relationship with the paranormal. It’s about trying to find answers. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? There have been many great moments that I have experienced with the BRP. If you listen to the EVP on 5/2/2025 in the classroom at the Joseph Bowen House, you’ll hear a loud, high-pitched voice trying to talk over me. This is a location, to our knowledge, which has never been investigated. The spirits were so eager to engage with us that they were willing to practically yell at us! I learned a valuable lesson that night. Sometimes, it’s better to shut up and listen. I’ve also had so many great interactions with our clients and love getting to know them and learning about their experiences. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? I like going into all the dark places, crawl spaces, attics, scary barns, creepy basements, etc. Send me. I’m your guy! |
Ashley Hackett
Video Tech / Management Team Joined: August 1, 2023 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
I joined Big River Paranormal to learn more about the unknown. There is so much more to our world than meets the eye, and I want to find the evidence to prove it. What is your position on the team? I am the Lead Video Tech. What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? I am a film Student at Boise State University. I have gained experience working on film sets learning how to operate camera equipment and how to appreciate how a camera can see things the naked eye can't through things like infrared technology. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I hope as a BRP team member that I am able to use video to not only prove the paranormal is real but to create videos that highlights what it means to be a paranormal investigator. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? My favorite moments as a BRP member are the car rides with the team before and after an investigation. We are truly family to one another, and these moments together truly highlight that. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? I am Dr. Pepper's number 1 fan. |
Joanne Moss
Investigator Joined: August 30, 2022 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
I have always been interested in the paranormal. What is your position on the team? Investigator What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? A scientific approach to investigations because of my education in the sciences and past work experience in research and development. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I would like to help others learn about the paranormal. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I enjoy meeting people during investigations. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? I am originally from Ohio where I grew up in a very old farmhouse with a spirit who lived there with us. I lived and worked in Massachusetts for two years before moving to Idaho. I have two of dogs and a couple of cats who think they run the house. |
Madison Fraga
Social Media and Marketing Manager Joined: August 31, 2022 |
Kat Booth
Investigator Joined: November 1, 2023 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
I joined because most of my life I knew there was more than what we could see. I have always been interested in the paranormal and when I learned about the group, when I found there was more than just a small handful of people that felt the same way, I had to take the chance. What is your position on the team? I am an investigator What experience do you bring to the team, whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? I honestly had no experience working in the paranormal field, so everything I know now I learned from my teammates. I do have a lot of professional experience from years of working in customer service, so I feel that I work great with our clients. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I hope to continue to learn more about the paranormal field and to be the best teammate I can be. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I enjoy every Old Pen investigation because the place just feels like a second home now. After many investigations, you start to feel very comfortable in the space, and that allows me to be able to feel and sense more about my surroundings. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? I'm originally from Dallas, Texas. I lived in Montana for a few years before moving to Boise. |
Kara Michalak
Investigator Joined: July 26, 2023 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
I have always wanted to try and understand things I can't explain. What is your position on the team? Investigator What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? I think my curiosity is a strong trait. I want to try and explain the unexplainable. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I want to be able to help educate people about the paranormal. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? There have been so many! Just having met this amazing group of people has changed my life for the better. We're not just a team, we're a family. As far as experiences go, I would have to say an EVP we got that was so crystal clear, there was no doubting it was paranormal. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? I am a very caring person. I have worked so hard to break through my shyness and this team has helped me do that. I also have a huge, caring heart. It feels good to know that I am with people I can trust with that. |
Tasha Haight
Lead EVP Tech / Outreach Joined: 2009 Why did you join Big River Paranormal? To help people who are afraid of or searching for answers to questions about the unknown.
What is your position on the team? I am on the Outreach Team, I live in California. What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? I have experience in doing document research and my husband is an audio engineer and live sound engineer and I have worked with him as an assistant in sound. I worked as the S. Oregon Director prior to moving out of state. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I hope to help people and find community with like minded people. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? My favorite moment as a team member is when I got to first meet the extended team at an investigation in Washington. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? One thing I would like everyone to know about me is I love animals, even scaly ones with no legs. They all deserve love. |
Brett Cummens
Case Manager / Management Team Joined: July 3, 2024 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
I joined because I have always been curious about the unknown. I also enjoy being an investigator because I love solving mysteries helping others as well as myself find answers. What is your position on the team? I am a Case Manager for Boise. I am also in management. I seek for new locations for our Boise team to investigate, I also reach out to those that request for us to investigate whether it be residential, or commercial. What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? My experiences come from personal encounters of possible paranormal incidents. Ever since I was little, I have had occurrences that I could not explain. This had me curious, so I started researching at a very young age to hopefully find answers. I have investigated on my own for quite some time. I am always digging to find the answers whether it be logical or not. My passion for this field is my greatest asset for the team. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? My big hope is for the team to turn paranormal research into science instead of pseudoscience. I would also like to help us expand and be more well known to others who don’t understand what we do. I hope to continue learning and become more educated so I can teach others, who are looking for answers. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? My favorite moment and what made me really understand what we do here was helping a couple feel better about a situation they didn’t understand. They were leery of who we were in the beginning then we left with both of them feeling better and giving us a hug before we left. So, the satisfaction of helping people who are struggling to understand what they can’t see, to help them not feel like they are crazy and that they are not alone in their strange experiences is priceless. That is the best part of the job for sure. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? That I enjoy life, that I have the ability to draw energy out of many situations, I feel that if there is activity somewhere in a location I can help draw it out. I have always been some sort of source that energy is drawn to, which I feel is the reason why I have experienced so many unexplained phenomena. |
Lisa Caudill
Investigator / Outreach Joined: March 17, 2007 Rejoined: August 29, 2021 |
Sydney Bowling
Investigator Joined: February18, 2024 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
I was walking around in my hometown of Baker City when I saw an advertisement for a Big River Paranormal Investigation, and I was lucky enough to join them at the Geiser Grand as a guest. It was such an amazing experience to meet like-minded individuals that shared my curiosity for the paranormal. I was extremely impressed by their investigation style and immediately knew I wanted to be a part of the team. So, when the opportunity arose, I moved to Idaho to join the team. It is wonderful to be a member of a team that allows me to investigate, educate the community, and add irrefutable evidence to the paranormal field. What is your position on the team? I am a Case Manager and Investigator. What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? I began having paranormal experiences as a young child. Those experiences lead me to having a passion for the paranormal and a genuine curiosity for the unexplainable activity I had witnessed. Years later through luck or fate I came across the Big River Paranormal Team. Meeting them provided me with the validation of my experiences I had been searching for. Before officially joining the team, I came to the public investigations as a guest for three years. Giving me plenty of time to expand my personal experiences and knowledge of the paranormal. In my professional career I have worked in child development and then customer service. which helped me to develop strong interpersonal skills and cross-functional collaboration skills. I utilize these strengths to effectively communicate with our clients, and guests. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? As a member of this team, I have four main goals. The first being to contribute clear evidence of activity to the paranormal field. The second is to help our clients feel validation in their experiences and comfortable in their spaces when faced with paranormal phenomenon. My third goal is to educate our guests and community on the difference between what is and what is not paranormal. My final goal is to establish strong connections with other individuals in the paranormal field. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? My favorite moment as a team member is any moment we can help someone not fear the paranormal. Through investigations, educating, and kindness we are able to help people regain a sense of calm when facing the peculiarities that come with the paranormal. Watching a guest or client go from scared to confident is one of the most rewarding things to witness. Although catching clear evidence of the paranormal is undoubtably a close second. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? When all is said and done, I am a people person. I want to build connections and learn more about those around me. Regardless of whether they are living or not. That is one of the key reasons I am part of this team it allows me to connect with my team members, the public, and those who have passed away. So, let's chat I'd love to get to know you! |
Jon Fortner
Investigator Joined: August 27, 2024 Why did you join Big River Paranormal? I want to be able to help people who have something going on that they do not understand and need help and understanding. I also want to learn more about paranormal events and gain a better understanding. What is your position on the team? Investigator What experience do you bring to the team, whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? My open-minded attitude, willingness to learn, and humor. Also, a drive to help people understand. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? Help bring credibility to the field. In the hope that one day, there can be more acceptance of the field of paranormal research. How amazing would it be for a reliable way to communicate and understand the "spirit" world? What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? Maybe the first time I was touched and knew exactly what the entity wanted from me. Which was for me to step to the side and let him in the cell with everyone else. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? Nothing. Can't I just be enigmatic? "Be curious, not judgmental." Walt Whitman |
Brian Scott
Investigator / Management Team Joined: October 16, 2025 |
Andrew Scott
Investigator / HR Management Team Joined: 10-16-2025 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
I joined to explore new experiences, build meaningful friendships and connections, and be part of a dynamic, fun team. What is your position on the team? Investigator What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? I bring a fresh perspective supported by objective insights, along with a strong medical background. As an instructor in Medical Assisting, I’m passionate about learning and helping others grow. My ability to collaborate effectively and contribute to team success will be a valuable asset. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? My goal is to contribute to scientific progress by advancing research and understanding in the field of paranormal studies. I am also committed to supporting individuals by providing clarity and closure where it is needed. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I’ve only been on two investigations so far, and honestly, the best part has been the amazing team! Everyone has been so welcoming, knowledgeable, and just a joy to work with—I couldn’t ask for a better group. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? I’m a proud nerd and couldn’t be happier about it! Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate, Battlestar Galactica—you name it, I’m obsessed! I also love diving into history and soaking up knowledge wherever I can. And when it comes to sci-fi authors, Michael Crichton is hands-down my favorite! |
Aidan DeWolf
Investigator Joined: October 27, 2025 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
I’ve always been interested in anything and everything paranormal. Like other teammates, I’ve had several experiences I can’t explain since I was little which only fueled my curiosity. After going on a public investigation hosted by BRP at the Old Pen, I jumped at the chance to join the team and get to work with people as passionate about the paranormal as I am. What is your position on the team? Investigator What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? I’m open minded but feel I balance it with a healthy dose of skepticism. My first instinct is to analyze the experience and try to find every plausible explanation or see if I can recreate it. I also know what it is like to be on the client side reaching out for help. Growing up, a couple of the houses my family and I lived in had activity. One house in particular had quite a bit that we could not debunk. I was a teenager at the time, so with my parent’s permission, I reached out to Big River Paranormal (called Idaho Spirit Seekers at the time) and invited them to investigate our house. I was allowed to help investigate, which is still a treasured memory, but more importantly, they made us feel more at ease with what we were experiencing. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I believe there is a scientific answer for everything and when it comes to the paranormal, it’s only the “unknown” just because we haven’t solved that puzzle yet. My hope is to learn as much as I can through more experiences, help the team gather solid evidence that will help bring more credibility to the field and educate/support people who want to learn more or seek our help; just like BRP did for me years ago. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I look forward to adding more moments, but so far, I have to say meeting the team. They are a great group of people and have been so welcoming. My first investigation as a team member was an exciting time as well. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? Boise born and raised. I’m a nerd and proud of it (Star Wars, Assassin’s Creed, Super Mario). I love to learn and majored in Art History as it blended a lot of my interests: art, history, mythology, ancient cultures, archaeology (yes, I am that person that wants to see every museum, castle/ruin, haunted location on a trip, could you tell?) |
Ethan Nichols
Investigator Joined: December 11, 2025 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
I've been interested in the paranormal since about junior year of High school, and so when I heard about an investigation team that was open to new members, I knew I had to apply. I'm constantly fascinated by the paranormal and trying to learn everything I can about the unknowns of the world we live in. What is your position on the team? Investigator What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? I'd say I have a relatively good intuition and am pretty receptive to environmental changes. I also think of myself as a relatively logical thinker and always try to approach evidence with healthy balance of skepticism and open-mindedness. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I hope to learn more about the paranormal side of our world, and to share these experiences with others. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I've really appreciated how welcoming, friendly, and supportive the team is. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? I'm a huge Sleep Token fan. I pretty much just listen to their music on repeat. |
Sam Fortner
Investigator Joined: December 12, 2025 Why did you join Big River Paranormal?
Obviously, I am interested in the paranormal, but moreover, the team members of Big River Paranormal have always struck me as professional and personable. It is a fine line to walk to conduct scientific research with integrity while maintaining a pleasant effect. What is your position on the team? Investigator What experience do you bring to the team whether that be from working in the paranormal field or from your professional career? In my professional career as an illustrator, it behooves me to be intuitive and sensitive to minutiae. Also, being able to differentiate between the objective and the subjective comes in handy. What do you hope to accomplish as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I hope to gain a better understanding of paranormal research. What has been your favorite moment as a Big River Paranormal Team Member? I love when the Big River Paranormal Team brings research equipment to fairs and cons, and demonstrates their capabilities, such as heat and motion tracking. What one thing would you like everyone to know about you? To quote The Cure, "I am human and I need to be loved. Just like everybody else does." |
Dr. William Dobson
Consultant / Outreach Joined: 2009 |
Steve Sherard
R & D Manager / Lead Tech / Outreach Joined: June 2007 |
Concetta
Investigator / Outreach Joined: July 21, 2024 |
Dylan Hood
Investigator / Outreach Joined: June 5, 2024 |